Left the company in March, and received my salary in April.
In May, I received salary for Aprill. Worried, I called the HR. I told them I am no longer working for them and they credited me salary. The HR said they will get back to me. No reply or notification for weeks. I had an urgent crisis and spent the money. I intend to get the money back and send it back to the company.
In June, I again received salary for May. Shocked and now very concerned, I emailed the HR. I hope that the email is more noticeable. I am afraid of fraud, and I do not want to keep money that is not mine. I then called the HR when I received notice from someone else (Different company). What should I do? What are my rights? Can they sue me? Please help.

Put the money... ALL OF IT... in a separate account so you don't spend it until its sorted out. You do owe them every dime. Yes they CAN sue you and probably will if they ask for it back and you can't give it to them.

Send them a notification in writing. An accidental payment isn't free money.

You have a right to give the money back once they correct their error. Better be ready for that.

"I received notice when I got a call from someone else". What does that mean?

At some point you will owe the money back if it was not earned. Pay the money back with registered mail if you are sending their checks back to them or personal check with a note. It's not fraud if there's no intention to be fraudulent.

The fraud will happen, if you can not, and do not pay the money back, once the demand it back.

But, what would I do? I would go down to the company, and talk to them in person, sort of more important than a email. And find out what is happening.

In some places there is a rule that wages paid in error are not refundable. As you have been advised keep the money aside so that you can repay it if requested to do so. You have taken reasonable steps to rectify any error so you cannot be guilty of fraud.

Hmmmm, not sure where that place would be; however if the money wasn't earned, and clearly it wasn't in this case, the money should be returned for the safest scenario.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by paraclete

In some places there is a rule that wages paid in error are not refundable. As you have been advised keep the money aside so that you can repay it if requested to do so. You have taken reasonable steps to rectify any error so you cannot be guilty of fraud.

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Quote:

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Originally Posted by Oliver2011

"I received notice when I got a call from someone else". What does that mean?

At some point you will owe the money back if it was not earned. Pay the money back with registered mail if you are sending their checks back to them or personal check with a note. It's not fraud if there's no intention to be fraudulent.

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They called the previous company instead of contacting me directly. They do have my email and contact number. :/

Thank you all so much for the advises and guidance! I intend to return the money in full. Just needed to know what actions they can take against me and how unreasonable the situation can go. Thank you.