<prompt> Human: Im not sure if this belongs here or not if not, please tell me where to post it, but I just find out that due to an error in the payroll system at my work, I was accidentally payed way too much for every paycheck Ive received since early November. And its not just like 50 too much or something. I apparently was paid a total 1080 too much. Anyway, my boss said I had to pay them back, but said that I didnt have to do it all at once. She said that I could reduce my wages from 12 to minimum wage for the next 4 paychecks to cover the difference. My question is, do I have to pay them back? If so, what is the best way to pay them back? I currently have 1,600 in my account and I work 25 hrs a week. So what is my best option? I hope this post makes sense, cuz Im kinda freaking out about the whole situation. Thanks for your help!  <response>: You absolutely have to pay them back. Theres likely a section in the employee manual or something you signed when setting up direct deposit that allows for them to claw back any money they paid in excess of what you actually earned. That doesnt make it any easier, certainly, but its just the way things work. Your best option is to take the deal theyre giving you. If that would make it impossible for you to buy groceries or pay your rent while youre paying them back, you should talk to HR about it. HR might be able to get the company to take the money back at a slightly slower pace. But either way, its not going to be comfortable for your budget.In the future, scrutinize every pay stub. Make sure theyre pulling out roughly the same amount for taxes and Medicare and any benefits you pay into. Make sure your W2 matches the final pay stub each year. Double-check your vacation accrual, assuming you get paid time off. Hell, look over every receipt from the grocery store and everywhere else. People make mistakes, and its up to you to make sure their mistakes dont negatively affect your finances. 