Woman Wakes Up With $24.5 million In Her Account After Banking Error

An Australian woman woke up to find $24.5 million (£14 million) in her account and her mortgage paid off after a banking error.

Clare Wainwright, a lawyer from Sydney, opened up her bank's app to find the unexpected windfall in her account earlier this week.

But the whole fuck up actually started in September when her bank sent her a letter telling her they had set up a direct debit to collect mortgage repayments. However, the letter stated that it would be taking monthly repayments of $25,102,107 - not the actual figure, which was $2,500 - and that it would be taking the first one on 25 October, news.com.au reports.

Credit: Today/Nine Network

So, the day came and the eye-watering amount was requested by NAB, but instead of flagging up the clear error her bank, St George, transferred the lot leaving Clare massively, massively in debt.

This amount was then refunded to her account and, despite contacting both banks, is still in her account. I can think of worse problems to have.

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Speaking to Fairfax Media, Clare said she hadn't considered spending the money yet, because her legal training has taught her that no good will come of that.

Imagine waking up to this. Credit: Today

"I'm a lawyer, which is why I haven't spent the money," she said.

"Mostly because I figured it wouldn't play out that well trying to play dumb on that.

"I saw it and I thought 'Oh my gosh, it's 25 mil' and I laughed," she said. "I showed my broker and he said 'Oh god, I'll get them to fix it'."

NAB told Clare they would be in touch within three business days - they're very blasé, for a company that just gave away millions of dollars, aren't they?

Clare added: "They obviously don't understand I could just skip the country."

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She shared a snap of her very healthy-looking account on Facebook with the caption: When NAB accidentally pays out your entire mortgage, and gives you an extra $24.5mil to redraw. Do I skip the country??" with laughing emojis.

When asked by the paper how she'd spend the money if she could, she told them she'd probably buy an island. I'd be so tempted, would you?

Sources: Today; news.co.au

Featured Image Credit: Today

Topics: World News, Money, Finance, Australia

Claire Reid

Claire is a journalist at LADbible who, after dossing around for a few years, went to Liverpool John Moores University. She graduated with a degree in Journalism and a whole load of debt. When not writing words in exchange for money she is usually at home watching serial killer documentaries surrounded by cats. You can contact Claire at [email protected]

@ClaireReid19