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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Cheque not cashed for 6 years

183 replies

EmmalinaC · 08/04/2022 18:04

Just had a call from someone my daughter went to primary school with. Didn't recognise the number as we weren't really friends. (My DD is now in year 11).

She was phoning to say she'd just found an envelope with a cheque in from me dated Feb 2016 for birthday cards (she was a Phoenix Cards trader) that she forgot to cash, and would I mind transferring the money now please...

So AIBU to say not my problem you've had it for SIX YEARS or do I owe her £28 given that I did receive the goods?

FWIW I have a joint account with DH and neither of us do a routine bank rec apart from for high value stuff so I had no idea it was never cashed.

Thoughts please! Smile

OP posts:
bluebaul · 08/04/2022 19:06

Urgh sorry just realised all the posts about banking apps! I did read a good few replies before I posted, but not all!

Bournetilly · 08/04/2022 19:09

This is really cheeky of her, I can’t believe she’s asked you for the money 6 years later.

LittleRedRidingHood187 · 08/04/2022 19:11

You aren't responsible for her incompetence

Block her

Getoff · 08/04/2022 19:11

@Nocutenamesleft

No way would I pay her

People saying you had the goods. You should pay. But you DID PAY!!! She chose not to cash it at the time. This is on her!!!!!

Nope nope nope.

Giving someone the opportunity to take you money is not the same thing as actually giving them the money.

I mean, you can refuse to pay on the grounds that you can't be arsed to do more admin, but you need to be clear in your head that you've decided not to give someone money that you legitimately owe them.

PrinnyPree · 08/04/2022 19:11

@Theyellowflamingo

I’d tell her if she posts you the uncashed cheque so you can rip it up and ensure it’s not cashed (tho I doubt a bank would honour it now) you’ll transfer the money. Someone that flaky probably won’t bother. But otherwise, given you did get the goods, I’d probably pay, while rolling my eyes.
This is what I came here to say. I would pay her too but get her to post your uncashed cheque back and you'll do a balance transfer. If she moans remind her it's been 6 years and you're doing her a favour entertaining it but if she wants the money she doesn't get to keep the cheque and whatsapp you in another 6 years or attempt to bank it.
IcedOatLatte · 08/04/2022 19:13

@MarvelMrs

That’s true. She could still have cashed the cheque with a photo. I would be checking with the bank that it wasn’t cashed and getting it cancelled before I transferred anything.
She has no idea that the OP doesn't check her bank account, it's very unlikely she'd be lying on the off chance that a random customer from years ago isn't on top of her banking

As she's asked you probably have to pay unless you have no issue with telling her directly that you're not going to pay for the cards

Bedsheets4knickers · 08/04/2022 19:16

@wildseas

If you are well off enough that you can afford this comfortably then I would do the bank transfer. I think that she must probably really need it to be trying to reclaim a 6 year old cheque for that value.

If it would be a struggle for you then I would politely decline - you certainly have no legal or moral duty to cover this after 6 years!

Yes this . Not that you should OP if you dont want to or can't afford too . I'd have to be in an incredibly bad way if I had to ask a question like this .
Fifthtimelucky · 08/04/2022 19:20

She is obviously at fault for not dealing with in good time, but I'd just pay the money (as long as I was sure that the money hadn't already left my account).

I disagree with whoever described them as overpriced rubbish, I used to buy a lot of Phoenix Cards and thought they were very good value for the quality.

Gardengirl108 · 08/04/2022 19:22

A cheque is a ‘promise to pay’ not a payment. So if you’ve had the goods then you should pay her, after she sends that one back. Technically a cheque doesn’t expire but most banks wouldn’t take it after 6 months.

HappyAsLarry2022 · 08/04/2022 19:23

I’d be inclined to think that if she is that desperate for the money that’s she’s chasing you for it after 6 years, I’d pay it

Kezzie200 · 08/04/2022 19:23

I think you are due to pay although I'm not sure if there is a statute of limitations on things like this.

I remember an elderly lady not opening her post and lots of dividend cheques being out of date. All the companies replaced them when we sent the old one back.

I think you need to be sure its never been cashed and get the old cheque back. How you check that its not been deposited now internet deposits can be made, I don't know!

Okeydoky · 08/04/2022 19:24

It is weird, but maybe her cupboards are empty and she's wondering how she's going to feed her DC and actually this money means they can eat, so she's had to swallow her pride and ask. If you can afford it I'd pay.

Blondeshavemorefun · 08/04/2022 19:24

Sure no time limit.

Wonder why she didn’t put in her bank now instead of contacting you

But yes pay her

You had the goods

She may need that £28

But it is hers

Notdoingthis · 08/04/2022 19:25

No way, she made a mistake. You don't ask for money 6 years later!

yellowsuninthesky · 08/04/2022 19:25

I think I'd be of the view that her poor admin wasn't my problem, and there is also the banking app argument.

If she's not a friend, I would just ignore the request. If she is, well you probably don't want to lose the friendship over a small amount.

And I agree she may not be hard up, just chancing her luck. After all if you don't ask you don't get.

Kylereese · 08/04/2022 19:27

Who still uses cheques in 2016!! 😂😂😂

Someone obviously.

Mellowyellow222 · 08/04/2022 19:29

This is a child - yes? Pay her

Blondeshavemorefun · 08/04/2022 19:29

@Mellowyellow222

This is a child - yes? Pay her
No the mum of a school friend
RunningRainbow · 08/04/2022 19:30

Limitations Act. Debts valid for 6 years from date of the last time asking for them.

justsaynope · 08/04/2022 19:30

Was this a voicemail or did you actually answer the call? I think this is extremely cheeky but can't imagine how the phone call went if you did answer 😂

Viviennemary · 08/04/2022 19:31

Thats cheeky. Give her the money if you like but you are under no obligation. Ask her to post the cheque back to you first though.

Zonder · 08/04/2022 19:31

Oooh that would be sneaky! I don't know her well but I'm pretty sure it's not a scam!

This can happen by accident though. I found a cheque from my mum and was about to pay it in on my app when my DH pointed out I already had paid it in about a month before!

Luredbyapomegranate · 08/04/2022 19:49

Comedy.

Is 28 quid a lot of money to you? If it isn’t, just pay it.

If it is then either tell her nicely that your finances have taken a dive, and as it’s well out of date you can’t pay now, or offer to do half. Obviously you aren’t obligated to.

tttigress · 08/04/2022 19:50

I think you should pay if you had the goods.

I bloody hate people giving me cheques!!

donquixotedelamancha · 08/04/2022 19:50

I’d think that she must be pretty desperate for cash to be asking for that amount after so long so if I could easily afford it, I’d pay it.

This. Yes it's deeply weird but she obviously needs the money. The right thing to do is to pay.