Short-lived Joy of £14,000 'Windfall'
A Sheffield couple have been asked to return a £14k 'windfall' to the Prudential
30th August 2005
Insurance company Prudential have asked a Sheffield couple in their 70s to return a £14,000 'windfall' that the insurer says was made in error.
The company originally contacted the couple, Eileen and Martin Butler, to say they were due the proceeds of a policy it said had matured 10 years ago, which including interest was now worth £14,000.
The Butlers could not remember having taken out such a policy, and queried Prudential, only to be told by a Pru representative that the cash was definitely theirs.
Even so, once they received the payment, the Butlers left it untouched in a bank account for several weeks until they were sure what the situation was.
When no further contact was made by Prudential, the couple finally accepted that the money was theirs - and began to spend it on a new car and gifts for their children. Unfortunately, 2 weeks later, the insurer realised their 'mistake' and asked for the money back, which would obviously now be difficult.
Eileen Butler contacted Citizens' Advice, but they have not come across such a case before and are apparently not sure how to proceed, while the Butlers say that legal advice is too expensive.
For their part, Prudential have said that they are looking into the situation and a decision on the case will be made when all the facts have been collected and confirmed.
Read More: Yorkshire Post : Man from the Pru's £14,000 blunder
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