I’ve accidentally used someone else’s card and I’m scared as hell I’m going to get into trouble. I’m a disability support worker and we often support residents to buy items and take money out of the bank, which is then entered in the ledger book.
I’m someone’s keyworker, which means I take them on 1:1 outings, do their banking and assist them with shopping.
Last week, I was going to go to the bank for this person, and get funds out of the bank for the month, as usual. I had the persons card in my purse ready to go and there was an incident at work and didn’t end up going. I forgot about the card.
What’s happened is I’ve ended up using this persons card for several tap and go purchases at shops, thinking it was my own. They’re the same colour and we have the same PIN (both live in the same suburb and have the postcode as our PIN, for ease of remembering it). I’ve made two withdrawals from the bank and used their card thinking it was my own.
I only discovered this mistake this morning when I logged into online banking and couldn’t see the sums of cash I had taken out in my transactions.
I’m absolutely terrified. I want to return the money to the card. I’m scared I’m going to get arrested and fired, as no doubt the transactions will appear on this persons bank statements and the family and state trustees will see them, and the police will see me on CCTV.
What the hell do I do?? Do I tell the police myself? Do I tell my boss?
I’ve never stolen anything in my life and I feel sick with shame and worry.
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16 Replies
Just be upfront.
If you leave it it looks deliberate.
Tell your boss first. Organise to put the money back with them. See if they want to tell the client straightaway.
One thing I will suggest is to implement a new procedure to avoid it happening again ie a different coloured card wallet to hold a client's card if necessary.
I can tolerate humans making a mistake but I get pissed off when they try to hide it, and make no effort to prevent it going forward.
Just tell your boss. Transparency of a genuine mistake that you correct isn't a problem. Hiding it is illegal
So we all make mistakes but its how we handle things afterwards that really matters.
Go straight to the boss. Document what happened and what you did.
Immediately put into place processes and procedures to ensure this never happens again.
Face whatever consequences are to come.
I think it’s best to go in to the police station, show your proof and tell them what has happened and show them how distraught you are. Be very honest and up front. Then go to your work and tell them but cover yourself first with the police because no doubt, you work will contact the police. What an awful thing to have happen. If you can’t do that, go to your work and make a meeting with your boss ASAP. You need to hurry up before they find out and think this is fraud & have you charged and lose your job. Lesson learnt from this. Change your bank or put bright stickers on your card. You need to show your honesty and emotion when approaching your boss on this. Good job for being honest about your actions. A simple mistake that could cost you dearly. Own and front it head on. You have nothing to hide.
I work for the federal government. I've known asmin staff to accidentally buy groceries on the work credit card before. Police were not remotely in the picture. They realised their error, let people know and it got corrected. There is no role for Police unless it was intended or hidden once realised.
Oh ok thanks. Gosh it would be scary and that’s the first thing I would think to do. This poor lady, I feel for her. No matter what you would still feel guilty and so awful.
Take the money in with your bank statements to your boss, with both cards and explain the situation. They will understand if you are genuine and it needs to be documented. Honesty honesty honesty always. I would feel absolutely sick if this was me. Good luck and I hope they understand. Do it now and don’t wait any longer.
Go straight to your boss! The only way it doesn't get ugly is if you own up to it. You are human. Stuff happens, but you definitely need to be upfront and honest.
You need to be upfront asap. Tell your boss, they will tell you how to sort it, but you cannot just put the money back for a few reasons but most of all transparency. So if it ever comes out you have proof that your boss is aware and can inform the correct channels to make sure it is all handled legit. Your patients, current and future, deserve this peace of mind. It won’t look good for you if it comes out any other way.
Report it immediately. The quicker you fess up and apologise profusely, the quicker it can be resolved. I would even offer to return extra to cover any account keeping fees which will make it more obvious it was a genuine mistake. It only looks bad if you do not immediately report it and someone else discovers it first!!
Mistakes happen 💗
Just be honest about what happened, and in the mean time why haven't you just replaced it already? Since you know... you thought it was your own card and all... you'd have those funds already available to you in your own account to be immediately deposited straight back.
I am surprised you're allowed to keep your client's card on you during your personal time! If that's standard procedure for your company, it probably needs to change.
When I worked in this industry, I wasn't allowed to clock out before filing cards, cash and receipts in the office. Every transaction had to be accounted for before I left, even if it was a 50 cent icecream cone from maccas.
The fact that your clients card and pin is the same as yours and you were still careless, I won't lie, that looks a little dodgy. I'd fully expect your clients family and trustee to be up your ass about it if I were you.
As others have said though, you need to go straight to your supervisor and probably HR with complete transparency. If it was a genuine accident and you're able to reimburse your clients money, I highly doubt you'd face any legal repercussions. I would probably expect some kind of formal warning from your employer though.
Tell your boss as soon as possible, put it in an email and call them. Transparency is key here. They will have to tell your clients financial trustee and I know you’ll put the money back over but there are things in place when this sort of thing happens
Genuine mistakes happen ❤️ You won’t get arrested.
Tell your boss and client first. Explain the situation and reimburse the card. Often being honest and direct shows that’s it was a mistake, leaving it shows dishonesty
Talk to your boss and explain the mistake and that you are wanting to pay the money back as soon as possible. We all make mistakes. I agree with others suggestions of having a different wallet to keep your clients cards in to avoid other mistakes.
My dad had support workers, if it was an honest mistake and the funds were replaced as soon as you realised it won't be as bad as you are thinking. They may just implement a different step now.
If it were my family we wouldn't have an issue if it was rectified swiftly.