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AIBU?

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Original poster

To spend money when I don’t have any idea where it’s come from?

153 replies

NobodyLivesHere · 26/05/2024 16:04

On checking my bank account this morning there is £600 in there that I can’t account for. The only info is an account number I don’t recognise.
I desperately need a plumber to come out and unblock some outside pipes and it’s been causing me a lot of stress as I can’t afford it. I’m off sick from work after a life altering accident and I’m a single parent to 3 including a disabled child, my savings have been eaten by this and there’s no telling when or even if I’ll be able to return to work.

I know I should report this money to my bank. But part of me wants to use £150 of it to do the work needed. And then if I have to pay it back set up a payment plan.

is this awful? It’s awful isn’t it? And yet it’s just….there.

OP posts:
bananaramaterry · 27/05/2024 07:09

GeorgeA12 · 26/05/2024 23:39

If you do it expect karma....

GrinGrinGrin

Oh yeah karma will come get you, it gets all the "baddies"!

Ridiculous statement.

Haveyouseenmylemons · 27/05/2024 06:55

NobodyLivesHere · 26/05/2024 19:49

That’s what the bank said when I rang them. They are going to investigate it, but they seem to think someone sent it to me. I’m baffled as to who though!

Show quote history

A friend of ours was once struggling financially and her dog needed vet care she couldn’t afford. We did a whip round and posted the money in a card through her letter box (in the days before transfers were so easy). I don’t think anyone of us ever let on. May be it’s something like that?

SheepAndSword · 27/05/2024 06:27

I have to admit my first reaction would be yippee; then I'd start to worry and try to find out where it came from to return it!

holidaydramalama · 27/05/2024 04:36

This happened to me when I was young . Me and my bf spent it. Bank called said they needed it back. They explained they would take it the day our wages were paid in.

Original poster
NobodyLivesHere · 27/05/2024 02:40

skibiditoilet · 26/05/2024 19:08

Stop trying to justify keeping the money. Had you not received it, what would your course of action be?

I have no idea. Literally not a clue. When I said I didn’t know how I was going to manage it, I meant it. Selling something like my laptop maybe. Or trying to get a loan via my credit union, but I can’t get there to sign the agreement so I don’t know if i can. I don’t know how people manage life from hospital tbh, I’ve never had to be here for weeks/months before so I’m winging it as best I can.
I suppose I was trying to justify it, because it would massively reduce my worry when I have so much else to worry about at this moment. But you’ll be glad to know I’ve informed the bank who are looking into it.

OP posts:
Original poster
NobodyLivesHere · 27/05/2024 02:35

BarcardiWithGadaffia · 26/05/2024 19:04

For faster payments from person accounts confirmation of payee applies but not if if you send a slower payment from a business account and I think the OP has confirmed it was a business payment

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I don’t know if it was a business. Just that it’s a bank transfer.

OP posts:
Original poster
NobodyLivesHere · 27/05/2024 02:33

OverfilledBookcase · 26/05/2024 18:40

Although actually OP, if the garden is flooded now with sewage?, contact the landlord (or letting agent) immediately as this is an emergency.

If he does not respond within 24 hours, inform that you have no other option than to get emergency plumber out and will expect immediate reimbursement as he was aware of ongoing issue, otherwise you will take it from the rent.

If he tries to evict, again it will be a retaliatory eviction, and he can’t evict for ‘rent arrears’ as you’d have to be 8 weeks behind which you won’t be.

Just keep all evidence.

Thank you. I really appreciate the advice. I’ve drafted an email to send to shelter and some other people tomorrow. Im on. Lot of medication so it’s slow going trying to think. But I will try and be a big girl about this. Im not generally this wet, but I’m feeling pretty vulnerable and useless at dealing with life at the moment.

OP posts:
Original poster
NobodyLivesHere · 27/05/2024 02:27

BarcardiWithGadaffia · 26/05/2024 17:57

Yes, steal it from the single mother with 3 children and broken pipes who made a mistake in bank payment while frazzled with stress

Obviously get in touch with the bank and see if you can find out any more about it

I'm surprised it shows up as an account number, doesn't it usually say the name it's come from?

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only if the person is a known contact to me. At least with my bank.

OP posts:
Original poster
NobodyLivesHere · 27/05/2024 02:25

greenpolarbear · 26/05/2024 19:53

I would go back to the water company and keep banging on at them until you get through to someone helpful. Tell them that as they've resolved it on previous occasions they've already admitted responsibility for it and have a past record of agreeing it was their problem to resolve. They can't just change their mind now because they feel like it. Say you'll take it to the local press if you have to, sewage is a hot topic at the moment.

Edited
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Thank you, I did point that out previously, but they said something about the break worsening so it’s on ‘my’ side now? But surely that’s because they haven’t fixed it?

OP posts:
Original poster
NobodyLivesHere · 27/05/2024 02:21

scrapsontheside · 26/05/2024 20:45

A quick Google took me to the cab website, your landlord will be aware of the rules they must adhere to.

I’m more than sure he knows he should. But that’s not the same as what he will do, unfortunately. He’s quite intimidating and scary to be honest.

OP posts:
Original poster
NobodyLivesHere · 27/05/2024 02:20

scrapsontheside · 26/05/2024 20:52

I've just had a thought, when I was in hospital at the start of the year , I was asked questions about my "home set up" if I lived with anyone else, would they help me, how many floors, how accessable the loo was etc, I wonder if you tell someone there , if there's some sort of safeguarding team? I could be on completely the wrong track but if you told them that there was raw sewage and you have children surely they would forward that on to a relevant department (I've no idea how this works!)

I have been speaking to an OT team about home adaptations. I will bring it up when I see them. They may be able to help, thank you!

OP posts:
Original poster
NobodyLivesHere · 27/05/2024 02:18

GeorgeA12 · 26/05/2024 23:39

If you do it expect karma....

I don’t think karma is a thing. But I haven’t done anything as of yet and I’ve phoned the bank who are investigating.

OP posts:
Original poster
NobodyLivesHere · 27/05/2024 02:18

RobertaFirmino · 26/05/2024 23:54

Are you sure it wasn't the children's dad or a kind relative?

It’s definitely not my ex 😂 that I am sure of. I’ve asked around but no one seems to know anything. The bank are investigating now.

OP posts:
RobertaFirmino · 26/05/2024 23:54

Are you sure it wasn't the children's dad or a kind relative?

GeorgeA12 · 26/05/2024 23:39

If you do it expect karma....

Meakpumsnethankwand · 26/05/2024 20:55

PhilosophicalCheeseSandwich · 26/05/2024 16:13

If you spend it, the bank will just wait until you have enough in your account and take it back. Or they'll give the sender your details and they'll pursue you for it.

No the bank won't give out their details

scrapsontheside · 26/05/2024 20:52

I've just had a thought, when I was in hospital at the start of the year , I was asked questions about my "home set up" if I lived with anyone else, would they help me, how many floors, how accessable the loo was etc, I wonder if you tell someone there , if there's some sort of safeguarding team? I could be on completely the wrong track but if you told them that there was raw sewage and you have children surely they would forward that on to a relevant department (I've no idea how this works!)

scrapsontheside · 26/05/2024 20:45

A quick Google took me to the cab website, your landlord will be aware of the rules they must adhere to.

To spend money when I don’t have any idea where it’s come from?
gillefc82 · 26/05/2024 20:35

PPs have covered that this is likely a mistaken transfer, so agree you’re best not to touch it but instead contact your bank.

Other things to consider are:

it being some kind of money laundering scam - income linked to crime is put in your account, you are contacted and asked to transfer to another account to rectify the mistake. By transferring, the money is “cleaned” but you become implicated in some serious criminal activity.

any implications on benefits eligibility or tax liability for declaring/failing to declare the additional “income”.

Save yourself the stress and the moral dilemma and notify your bank so they can reverse the transaction. Then your very next call should be to CAB or Shelter for some advice on dealing with your dodgy landlord.

Doteycat · 26/05/2024 20:22

spuddy4 · 26/05/2024 18:12

I was going to say this.

It's happened to me and they can't take it out without permission.

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Except you have to give permission or you end up in a heap of shite. They wont let it go just cos someone says ah no i dont think so.

RedMark · 26/05/2024 20:07

This happened to my mum a few years ago. It was around 1500 pounds.

She is TERRIBLE with money. But she didn't touch it. She called the bank and tried to get it back to the sender but the bank wasn't able to find out who sent it because of confidentiality reasons. For the same reasons, the bank told her the sender wouldn't be able to find out who had his/her money. The bank basically said there's nothing we can do.

My mum still has the money there, untouched and it's probably been around 5 years.

Shakeyshakeyshake · 26/05/2024 19:55

I’d email them today and follow up with a call on Tuesday - water services and the council and environmental health

greenpolarbear · 26/05/2024 19:53

NobodyLivesHere · 26/05/2024 16:19

Oh that’s a whole saga…basically the pipes that take the sewerage away are really old, there’s a crack in it right on the boundary between my property and next door. They are also not sloped correctly so they don’t drain. Everything backs up and then blocks my loo. For years the water company have come out a few times a year and cleared them as it’s on the boundary. This year they decided it’s not their problem anymore. I don’t own my house. My landlord refuses to pay. My neighbour refuses to pay. I’m the end of the line so to speak so it’s my house and yard that end up with raw sewerage seeping out if it’s not done. I have in the past cleared them (kind of) myself, but I physically can’t now.

so I pay or I have a back yard swimming in shit. 😔

I would go back to the water company and keep banging on at them until you get through to someone helpful. Tell them that as they've resolved it on previous occasions they've already admitted responsibility for it and have a past record of agreeing it was their problem to resolve. They can't just change their mind now because they feel like it. Say you'll take it to the local press if you have to, sewage is a hot topic at the moment.

Original poster
NobodyLivesHere · 26/05/2024 19:50

LakieLady · 26/05/2024 19:42

Things may have changed in the last few years, but having reported a disrepair issue to environmental health used to be a defence against a possession order.

That prevented landlords evicting tenants who'd reported repair issues from being evicted.

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Thank you. I’ll ring housing Tuesday.

OP posts:
Original poster
NobodyLivesHere · 26/05/2024 19:49

Vroomfondleswaistcoat · 26/05/2024 18:03

I thought these days that the account number and name HAD to match up or payments wouldn't go through? I know I had a payment rejected when I tried to pay someone and hadn't put 'Co' on the end of the name (although I'd got all the rest right). So are you absolutely sure that you don't know anyone who might have paid you for something, OP, or given you some money?

That’s what the bank said when I rang them. They are going to investigate it, but they seem to think someone sent it to me. I’m baffled as to who though!

OP posts: