Friend runs super hot...

[barncat]

i think it was stealing for the simple fact if the bank puts an extra 1k in your account what do you think happens if you spend it? guaranteed you paying it back

/end thread

[Pudge714]

FWIW I think what guys like Jfish are saying are much better than OP trying to rationalize what his friend did.

[jmillerdls]

[ QUOTE ]
Every definition of stealing I've ever seen requires taking.

Specifically taking what isn't yours without consent, which is hugely different than being erroneously but nonetheless consensually given and then choosing to knowingly keep what you aren't entitled to.

I'm not saying the guy shouldn't have corrected the mistake or he doesn't deserve to be called out for not doing the right thing, and especially called out for not doing the right thing and then bragging about it.

I'm saying if we're speaking English he isn't a thief and he did not steal.

[/ QUOTE ]

I agree with this...but it certainly isn't something id brag about, and personally feel as though you come off as a bitch when doing so.

[barncat]

when the bank puts extra money in your account..you actually dont take it yet you are still obligated to give it back

[niss]

Well if you want to get technical, it's not a crime, but it is a tort (conversion) and you'd be compelled to pay the money back.

[KneeCo]

[ QUOTE ]
/end thread

[/ QUOTE ]

No, actually. You're wrong.

If you go into a bank, get 1k from the drawer and run and get caught, you'll go to jail because you stole.

If they deposit an extra grand in your account, they can sue you for it (and will almost certainly, though not always, win) but there's no chance of you being convicted of a crime because you didn't commit one (you aren't a thief).

Theft/stealing requires an actual act where you took something without consent of the owner, refusing to return something that is given to you is a totally different thing, that isn't a crime and isn't stealing.

I'll use a Seinfeld episode since everyone's seen em.

Remember the episode where Jerry's mechanic runs off with his car and Jerry says "they don't consider it stealing if you actually hand him the keys". Well, that's actually true.

Jerry could have proved he's the rightful owner of the car, gotten a court order to have it returned to him and sued the mechanic for some cash where he could establish damages, but the mechanic would never end up guilty of the crime of theft in that scenario and neither would the OP's friend in this one.

Again, for the last time, he may be wrong, he may be an ass, he may be a dick, but one thing he factually isn't is a thief, he didn't steal a penny.

[Victor]

ya just bc its not stealing doesnt mean its not wrong, morally and legally.

[Victor]

[ QUOTE ]
FWIW I think what guys like Jfish are saying are much better than OP trying to rationalize what his friend did.

[/ QUOTE ]

yup, i agree.

[Donkey-Milker]

the bad rulings cost him money. he's right to take this amount back. the rest could maybe given back - the cashier won't know much you he was overpaid... so just give back the excess rather than the whole $1000.

a lot of ethics nits in this thread. this isn't close to stealing.

[KneeCo]

[ QUOTE ]
ya just bc its not stealing doesnt mean its not wrong, morally and legally.

[/ QUOTE ]

and just bc it is wrong, doesn't mean pbob isn't an idiot for posting:

[ QUOTE ]
That is stealing.

How did you get so stupid?

[/ QUOTE ]

(and you aren't even worse for thinking he was smart for saying it)