Steven Fields uses Cash from Inheritance Scam to Dispute Bank Error

Bank withdrawal of cash (source: Morguefile)

If a bank puts money into your account by accident or error, it is still not yours.

Bank Error in Your Favor, Collect $31,000

Steven Fields of Hull, Georgia, has learned this the hard way. On March 7, 2014, the First Citizens Bank made a bank error, and put $31,000.00 into his bank account on accident. It was supposed to go into the other Steven Field account - same name, different customer.

Cash from Inheritance Scam

Steven Fields, the 18 year old customer, learned that he had become $31,000.00 richer, so he decided to spend his extra cash. He spent $5,000 on his debit card, and pulled out $20,000 in cash in a matter of 10 days. The bank asked Steven Fields to return the money, but he claims that the money was a direct deposit for his inheritance from his grandmother's estate, and that he didn't owe any cash back to the bank. He said they were mistaken, this was his money, and there was no bank error.

Steven Fields said he would provide proof that the money was really his inheritance. To date, Steven Fields has not provided this evidence, nor has he returned any of the $31,000 in cash.

Gawker.com has made Steven Fields "Hero of the Year." For what - stealing money, that wasn't his?

It is Illegal to Keep Cash Put into Your Bank Account by Accident

Steven Fields has no case if he knew that this money was not his. However, if he pleaded ignorant, he may get off without going to jail. If money is delivered to you by accident, it is still not yours.

To keep $100,000 would be an automatic felony in most states. According to this Mainstreet.com article, the state of Georgia could charge Steven Fields with a felony.

It certainly does not help his case that he took the money out and then lied about where he got it from. This was not cash from his grandmother's inheritance.