Neighbour made a mistake and now wants money

[DomingoFlamingo]

Neighbor moved in about 10 months ago - its a house converted into flats with a communal hallway, front door and letterbox (I live upstairs, she lives downstairs) since she moved in we've had several issues including persistent loud music and her "borrowing" my things that then take several weeks to be returned (if at all)

Then today she knocks on my door with a letter address to me and dated July. She then proceeds to tell me that the letter (a bill) was picked up by her son and she didn't bother to read the name on the front until today when she went to pay again.. hence she's (somehow) been paying my bill since July and I now owe her a 3 figure sum for doing so......

I'd have normally payed this bill in installments throughout the year, but she payed the whole amount in two payments. Because of this I don't have that amount of money available to pay her back immediately (I work part time and its nearly 4 weeks wages for me)

She's asked for the money by the end of the week, I've offered to pay her in installments but she refused the offer and said she wants it in one go or she'll call the police. :( is she BU or am I? I will/would pay her back but I simply can't afford the whole amount in one go......

[delilabell]

She's being completely unreasonable! Let her go to the police, I'm sure they've got nothing better to do :-)
Could you get a free hour with a solicitor or some time with cab to write up a letter saying you'll pay it back I'm installments of...
she does sound a bit loopy

[Redglitter]

Well for a start she has absolutely no grounds for going to the police so ignore that threat. Id say she's BUT you didn't borrow the money or ask her to pay. I'd tell her exactly how much you'll pay and when you'll pay it.

[twinkletoedelephant]

Can't you contact the company you owe and set up a plan to pay directly with them..
Then it's up to her to arrange a refund from this conpany - and for her to sort out herself.

[DoesAnyoneReadTheseThings]

Didn't they ask her name/address/account number when she called up? Cos obviously then her name and address wouldn't match the account number... the name on the card also wouldn't match the account name?

I'd ring the company to check the bill has been paid/when/how much/can it be reversed etc before offering her or paying her anything at all!

[e1y1]

Who an earth pays a bill without checking the name on it?

I wouldn't just pay a bill and not check what it is for; is it for a supplier/service she even uses?

Has she given you proof that she has paid it? I would also check with the company in question (because even if she had paid it, if she paid it by debit or credit card; she could do something called a "chargeback" which effectively reverses the transaction).

If you don't have the money, you don't have it, you can't magic it up out of thin air. Short of getting a loan/using a credit card, there isn't much you can do to get the money. I doubt the police would do anything, as you haven't deprived her of something that is hers, she did that by paying the bill. However, there would be nothing stoping her taking court action against you.

As said, get full and proper proof she has paid it; speak to company concerned, they may not be able to do anything though as when the bill was paid, it would just have settled the account, so they usually can't refund iyswim.

But what a dozy cow.

[pitterpatterrain]

Maybe I am a cynic but have they even paid it?

I would be wanting more evidence than them showing me that they have illegally opened my mail and stating I owe them X amount of money

[MephistoMarley]

Phone the company and check it out first. This sounds very dodgy.

[Champagneformyrealfriends]

Wtf?! The police will not waste their time with this-you could as easily say that she offered to pay it!

Do as PP have suggested-tell her you'll pay her in instalments and that you're very sorry but she shouldn't have opened your post in the first place. It's a lesson for her.

[steff13]

So, were your and she paying at the same time, you in installments and her in larger installments?

[SoleBizzz]

Do you suspect she did this on purpose to cause drama?

[MsJamieFraser]

Let her go to the police, they will laugh at her, as its a civil matter not criminal and police cannot do a any single thing about it.

Pay what you can afford, she's got no choice to accept it, unless she wants to waste her money, as the civil court will only decide on a payment plan anyway, which you have offered.

[VioletBam]

How stupid is that? Blindly paying a bill that isn't hers!? It also sounds quit hard to do! How would she not notice it wasn't hers!? There would have been an account number etc.

OP what company was the bill from? HAve you spoken to them?

[stonecircle]

I'm notsure it's possible to pay a bill that isn't yours without realising is it?

If it was me I would ring the company to check it has really been paid and, IF it has, explain the situation to them and ask if she can be refunded and you pay in instalments.

If that's not possible she will have to accept you paying her back in instalments. Just be firm and say you do not have the money to do otherwise. And tell her not to take your mail in future.

[TheMaddHugger]

dont pay her anything, not even a cent. I smell a scam

[Mouikey]

Middle of the night thinking, but if she uses the same company could she phone and you too to get her payments transferred to her account - that way your 'debt' continues to be with the company and cutting her out. As an aside how did she get your mail? Do you have a communal letterbox or was it delivered in error?

[YabuDabbaDoo]

I agree that she should be seeking a refund from the company, not from you. You need to phone the company, check what your balance there is, and deal only with them.

I'm willing to bet you don't owe her anything.

[LellyMcKelly]

That sounds very dodgy. Agree with all the advice here. Definitely call the company. It seems very unlikely that someone would pay a bill without realising it wasn't their bill. Presumably she was also receiving her own bill and paying that one as well? Something doesn't add up.

[DameSquashalot]

It's up to her to sort it with the energy company

[AdaLovelacesCat]

Scam scam scam.
do not give this scammy biatch one single penny.
Nobody pays a bill that is not theirs, unless they had severe learning difficulties, in which case they would not be living alone.
Ask her for the receipts for these bogus amounts of money. In fact do not bother, just close the door in her face.
Police, my FAT ARSE!

[VioletBam]

I wonder if she's just kept the bill and is trying it on with you? Perhaps she hasn't paid a thing!

[AdaLovelacesCat]

she has definitely not paid a thing!
If she threatens you with the police again, point out that in fact it is illegal to open other people's mail, and say...
"Bring it on sister"

[EarthboundMisfit]

First step - ring the company and see if she's paid it.

[AskBasil]

Actually if she is trying to defraud you, she's committing a criminal offence.

Let her go to the police.

Give her enough rope.

[Toadinthehole]

Agree this sounds soooperdodgy.

Mind you, as the bill was issued in July wouldn't there have been a reminder by now?

Like others here have said, I would call whoever sent you the bill and clarify whether it's been paid before I handed over a cent. I'd get confirmation in writing too.

And if she really has paid, there's no criminal offence I know of in repaying her in instalments as you are able.

And if she hasn't paid, sounds like attempted fraud.

Wanting to know how this one ends!