Unexpected Payment Received - Safe to Refund?

[JES72]

I have today received a payment, only for £8.45. I have no idea who the sender is or what the payment is for. I assume it was sent to me in error. It quotes a woman’s name in the message, but again, the name means nothing to me. Is it safe for me to simply issue a refund and send the money back? This isn’t a recognised scam or anything is it? Thanks 

[PayPal_Craig]

Hi @JES72, 

Welcome to the Community! 

It sounds like the person has simply sent you the money in error, which can happen. 

There is no risk involved in issuing a refund here. 

To issue a refund:

1. Click the Activity tab at the top of the page.
2. Click All Transactions.
3. Click the transaction you want to refund and then click Refund this payment.
4. For 'Refund amount', enter the amount you want to refund, (you may have the option to refund a partial amount of the payment) and click Continue.
5. Review your information to make sure you entered the correct refund amount and click Issue Refund.

I hope this puts your mind at ease, 

PayPal_Craig 

[JES72]

Thank you for the advice and reassurance. 😊

[kernowlass]

@JES72 

Be careful if the funds were sent using the goods/services option as any fee you were charged is NOT refunded as part of any refund you issue.

So if it was sent and you were charged a fee (check on the details page of the transaction to see if a fee was charged) then issue a part refund so you are not left out of pocket minus the fee.

Put a note on the transaction explaining that you did that as it was not your fault the funds were sent by mistake.