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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To not want to do this?

37 replies

Thisishallowscream · 10/12/2024 13:56

I fear I am BU.

My sister is having a kitchen done.
They have been given two prices for quotes, an off the books cash payment and on the record one. Obviously the off the books one is significantly cheaper.

Sister can't get to the bank easily as disabled and would need a taxi so has asked if she can transfer a large amount of money into my bank, me go into town and take it out cash and then take the cash to her.

I feel really uncomfortable with this and I don't know why! Part of me thinks the bank will think it odd that a large payment of money is going in for that exact amount of money to be drawn out again instantly. Part of me just doesn't want to be walking round with a large amount of someone else's cash until I can get there (which is a four bus journey)

AIBU?

OP posts:
Threelattesplease · 10/12/2024 14:37

The bank will question you. Not to mention what others have said about safety with the cash and work done, what if there is an accident etc. Big no from me.

purplecorkheart · 10/12/2024 14:34

I would be wary of the bank's money laudering policies and falling foul of it. I lent a friend of mine a relatively small sum of money and she returned it. I had them call me and ask me lots of questions about it.

The fact that it is being used to avoid tax etc and the fact that the builder is most likely dodgy as hell would make me run a mile.

Original poster
Thisishallowscream · 10/12/2024 14:30

Thank you everyone!

Yes to all the replies, I just have a huge ick about it all and don't want any involvement.

No they haven't started work or agreed to it yet they have just been to quote for the job.

They do have very good reviews so I don't think they are cowboys in terms of work but you are absolutely right on the what happens if something goes wrong.

I'll try and speak to her about that side too.

OP posts:
ItGhoul · 10/12/2024 14:09

First of all, if she transfers thousands into your bank account and you then withdraw straight away in cash, that could possibly make the bank suspicious about money laundering. Secondly, you're right not to want to make four bus journeys carrying that much cash.

Frankly, if she's got enough money to pay for a new kitchen - and is saving on the cost of that by giving cash to some cowboy who isn't declaring income tax - she can also afford a taxi into town to withdraw the money herself, from her own bank. You could certainly offer to go with her to help her, but she needs to withdraw the money herself and if that means getting a taxi, that's what she'll need to do.

BobbyBiscuits · 10/12/2024 14:03

It's a bad idea to do a dodgy off the books payment for a kitchen. That's at least a couple of grand surely. You need invoices. You need paperwork and guarantee. Urge her to use a legit builder. No good will come of trying to use someone who dodges their taxes and has no insurance. They could leave her house in absolute ruins and she'd have zero comeback.

I hope they haven't started the job?

Ginmonkeyagain · 10/12/2024 14:03

You may also get caught up in anti money laundering checks. As you correctly note, a large, unusual deposit of money in your account which is then drawn out in cash soon after will trigger alarm bells.

Also unless it is a very cheap kitchen I am not sure you will even be allowed to withdraw the full amount without some notice.

Adelstrop · 10/12/2024 14:02

Maybe advise your sister than the 'off the books' arrangement will give her no protection in the event that the work is not done on time or to a satisfactory standard. That's quite apart from not wanting to connive at tax evasion.

Mrsbloggz · 10/12/2024 14:02

My concern would be that she's going to give the builder all the money up front and then he'll disappear . . . or something like that
The fact that he's brazenly offering a lower price for cash makes him look dodgy for a kickoff 😬

Lavender14 · 10/12/2024 14:00

I agree with others, offer to go with her in a taxi. I wouldn't be touching a large sum of money for someone just incase something goes wrong

PrincessAnne4Eva · 10/12/2024 13:59

I wouldn't want to be party to someone else's tax avoidance TBH.

WickedlyCharmed · 10/12/2024 13:59

If she can afford a new kitchen she can afford a taxi.

Coconutter24 · 10/12/2024 13:58

I’d offer to go in the taxi with her. I wouldn’t feel comfortable walking round with a large amount of someone else’s cash especially if going on the bus

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