Korean Job Discussion Forums

TK421 · Joined: 05 Aug 2009

I don't know where it came from, but I was almost dead broke until my next paycheck which is a week from today, and I looked in my bank account at an ATM balance inquiry and there was magically 1.8 million won in there. Did my work pay me early? If so, why would they? What should I do? I mean, the greedy part of me wants to just wait till next Friday and see if I get paid on top of that. Another part of me wants to ask my work if they transferred money to me earlier, making them realize they made a mistake or perhaps it was meant for someone else. Or, maybe someone randomly transferred that money to the wrong account (unlikely). The greedy part of me fantasizes about how that will pay for my vacation to Japan and then some... haha.

If I was back home I'd contact the bank immediately and ask them who transferred that. That's difficult for me because I always work during KEB's banking hours and can't go talk to them in person... My friends told me to withdraw it all immediately and just wait it out or transfer it home lol. I have a feeling all you Daves posters who are constantly acting parental have more responsible suggestions. Any suggestions?

I probably just got paid early... but why would I? I didn't sign my typical pay stub they give me before they transfer money to my account.

byrddogs · Joined: 19 Jun 2009 Location: Shanghai

If you are worried about it, just ask the finance manager at the school if you got paid early. If they didn't pay you that money, then who knows where it came from (the bank knows most likely)? You can make your own decision on what to do from there.

Forever · Joined: 12 Nov 2009

I transferred it into your bank by mistake.

I will pm you my account number and could you send it back to me ASAP

Thanks!

Hyeon Een · Joined: 24 Jun 2005

Payday is the 25th for most government jobs. So if you work in a public school maybe you're just a couple of days late in noticing your pay? If you work in a hagwan then I have no idea when your payday is haha.

Anyway, update your bankbook and it will show where the money came from. You don't need to ask anyone.

shcforward · Joined: 27 Sep 2009

If you have internet banking, maybe you can see where the transfer came from.

BoholDiver · Joined: 03 Oct 2009 Location: Canada

If someone did it by accident, they can report it to the bank within a short time (2-3 days) and by Korean law, you have to give it back.

I agree. Update your bankbook and figure out where it came from.

seoulsister · Joined: 04 Mar 2006 Location: International Network

Tax refund?

I had the same thing last year. I quit a public school about 8 months in. Didn't think about it again until I got a million and some deposited in my account around 7 months later. They said I had overpaid my tax for the time I was there. I was surprised they would be so honest, but I guess public schools can't fudge the books so much. It happened about this time last year too, maybe May is tax refund season? Fastest way to find out would be a trip to the ATM me thinks.

RyanInKorea · Joined: 17 Jan 2008

Fantasies aside, the reality of life is no one misplaces a couple g-notes.

Ryan

Hyeon Een · Joined: 24 Jun 2005

I think my tax refunds come in feb or maybe march. Listen to the previous man in terms of money.

madoka · Joined: 27 Mar 2008

Unless you're going to close that account, chances are if it's a mistake, you will eventually have to pay it back.

Since you're "dead broke," consider saving your money for a rainy day as opposed to blowing it on a vacation in Japan. Personally, I would feel very uncomfortable being in Korea without enough money for airfare to go back home.

NYC_Gal · Joined: 08 Dec 2009

I consider myself broke if I have ONLY airfare to get back home in my account. Broke is relative.

I'd say don't touch the money.

DHC · Joined: 15 Jan 2003

Take your Korean bank book to the nearest bank machine that recognizes your bank and insert your bank book. It will be updated and show where the deposit came from.

Forever · Joined: 12 Nov 2009

PatrickGHBusan · Posted: Sat May 29, 2010 3:26 am Post subject:

On the broke issue...

It always amazes me how short sighted people are when they go to teach abroad. So many Teachers blow all their money on bars and trips, always ending up with nothing a few days before payday.

At the very least, a smart person keeps enough for airfare (say 1M won) and enough emergency money around just in case (another 1M Won).

Then if something happens, you have the funds to deal with the crisis calmly....

All this means is a little less spending initially...

conrad2 · Joined: 05 Nov 2009