Double refund from tour operator and bank
Question
I have a question regarding a bank refund I have received. We paid a travel agent our Hajj money, and few weeks later found out that Hajj will no longer be done via any UK travel agents. Instead of refunding our money, the agent made many excuses and said he was unable to pay back. Finally, he decided to pay back half before we went for Hajj. Upon return from Hajj, I chased my remaining payment but he decided to ignore all correspondence. Someone advised me to contact my bank and see if they can recall the bank payment from him. After a successful claim, the bank refunded me the remaining amount. I was under the impression that they took it from the agent’s account. However, last week I saw in my account that the agent refunded me my remaining payment. I was so confused. After doing research, I found out that TSB have a policy of compensating anyone who is a victim of fraud by refunding them any money they have lost. This is their fraud guarantee. My question is, now that the agent has refunded my money, what do I do with the refund the bank has issued? Do I need to contact them and inform them that my money has been returned? Is it permissible for me to keep as it is a form of compensation? Should I give it in charity? I am very concerned to do the right thing.
بسم الله الرحمن الرحیم
Answer
You should contact the bank and inform them that the travel agent has refunded you the remainder. If they advise you to return the money to the bank, you should return it to the bank. If they advise you not to return the money to the bank because it is a form of compensation, this is lawful for you to use.
قال الله تعالى: إن الله يأمركم أن تؤدوا الأمانات إلى أهلها. وقال تعالى: وأوفوا بالعهد، إن العهد كان مسئولا. وقال تعالى: يا أيها الذين آمنوا أوفوا بالعقود۔
Allah knows best
Yusuf Shabbir
6 Rajab 1444 / 28 January 2023
Approved by: Mufti Shabbir Ahmed and Mufti Muhammad Tahir
