Thanks Martin...that would make sense,hope your right..

My feelings are maybe she was just very unhelpful and just a tad condescending..... The company who had sent the money have phoned since last update and while the woman i initially spoke too said she felt the offer of monthly payments was reasonable she has too speak too the legal department and find out what the next step is..will be updated mid week so im told. Im left wondering what they could be up too...already explained that the wife only receives standard benefits (very small amount of tax credits and the usual child benefit) so i hope they realise that taking us too court wouldn't help. She also said that the very last payment received the bank would be reclaiming that....seems odd. Now have too sit and worry until the get back in contact.

Thought id give an update... Phoned the bank in question and spoke too the person dealing with the matter and was told that they would not be getting involved and it was down too me too deal directly with the company who had made the payments. Person dealing with it was quite rude and blunt about ""she couldn't possibly have not noticed the credits"" at which point i said i was going too end the conversation. Contacted the company in question and a very nice lady explained what had gone wrong...openly said that all parties involved were in the wrong (which i think is a fair comment). Ive made a verbal offer too be paid monthly and am now waiting on there response. They did ask for an address for correspondence...im thinking of giving them a c/o address and making them aware its a c/o address. I will of course follow this up in writing so i have a hard copy of whats been agreed. Any further advice on what too do or maybe more importantly NOT to do would be very welcome.

Thanks guys...the help youve all given is amazing. Will update thread as soon as ive spoken too the bank.

Thank you...i"ll phone her now (im stuck at work) and tell her. She might be able too sleep a little tonight knowing that. Once again Thank you for taking the time too help.

Thanks for the advice guys it truly is appreciated and i must say thank you for being non judgemental...the wife (we) have been unbelievably stupid and im kicking myself for not doing the right thing initially and feel thoroughly ashamed. Does anyone know if this would be a civil matter or police matter....its just the wife is in pieces.

They have asked her too phone them (quite a polite letter actually)...would she be better off wrighting or intialy calling. No question about re-paying...we know it must be and are happy too. Do you know if its a civil or police matter.?

The wife has had quite a few deposits made into her account (10 in total) spread over nearly 18 months. Initially she just assumed it would be taken back out...it wasn't so we just assumed it was the fault of the company sending the money by mistake and used it (bills cost of living ect). The bank wrote too the wife stating that she has received monies that wasn't destined for her and has asked her too call them too propose how she will repay the money...nearly 15k. Obviously there's no question we (i will as she doesn't work as twins under 2yrs old) will pay it back,however would have too be a monthly arrangement....would this be dealt with just by the bank or would it be a police matter...while she/we have been stupid too spend the money it wasn't done with malice just ignorance. Should i speak directly too bank (wife"s from overseas so English is great) or speak too a solicitor and ask them too deal with it. Advice on where we (she) stands legally would be most welcome:(