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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:
Historyherstory · 08/04/2022 19:52

She obviously needs the cash. Just pay it

PinkSyCo · 08/04/2022 19:54

She’s just a kid. Don’t be tight and pay her what you owe her.

notanothertakeaway · 08/04/2022 19:55

@PhileasPhilby

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.

She shouldn’t have asked though.

Agree with this
girlmom21 · 08/04/2022 19:56

You didn't notice the cheque had never cashed so presumably haven't been in the position where you're asking someone for £28 they owe you from 6 years ago. I'd say her needs are greater and you should pay.

thefirstmrsrochester · 08/04/2022 19:56

Agree with op’s, she does sound desperate for cash, therefore if you can afford the money, I’d transfer it over.

HulaTheHedgehog · 08/04/2022 20:00

It's a bit odd, but I think you should pay yes....

Cak309422012 · 08/04/2022 20:00

At the time you paid, by cheque and she did not cash it in, so it's entirely on her, not you. So no, I wouldn't pay!

Dagnabit · 08/04/2022 20:02

If the woman has a child in High School, she’s hardly going to be a kid, is she @PinkSyCo

OP, I’d double check old transactions first, ask for the cheque to be transferred then pay it if it wasn’t taken the first time. Maybe think of a funny reference to put on the transfer!

HulaTheHedgehog · 08/04/2022 20:03

@ScruffGin

I'd ask for the cheque to be posted back first
Yes this. As some posters have said, it's possible she may have cashed it, so ask for the cheque.)
Muchtoomuchtodo · 08/04/2022 20:14

How odd! I’d definitely check back on my statements to make sure that it wasn’t cashed. If that’s tricky for any reason ask for for the cheque and then you can ask your bank specifically about the number of the cheque concerned.

JammyDozen · 08/04/2022 20:14

In commercial contracts customers often want clauses that say if you don’t issue a valid invoice within a given period of delivering the goods or whatever then you lose the entitlement to be paid. Because it’s a right pain in the arse to be presented with demands for payment years down the line. Op might not be doing annual accounts and budgets, but the basic principle is the same.

I’d pay up, but I’d be pretty frosty in my communications.

CandyLeBonBon · 08/04/2022 20:15

@Nothappyatwork

I was thinking Christ on a bike has it been six years since the cancel the check thread 🤣
Hah! I thought EXACTLY the same!
MysteriousMonkey · 08/04/2022 20:16

I'd pay. Slowly because I'm petty like that

starfishmummy · 08/04/2022 20:17

Some debts become "statute barred" after 6 years.

www.stepchange.org/debt-info/can-i-write-off-debt/statute-barred-debt.aspx

MinglingFlamingo · 08/04/2022 20:17

She should have kept better track of her accounts. Why has it taken 6 years to have a sort out? Considering we've just spent 2 years at home doing nothing but sort out drawers and stuff

She's at fault imo not you?

starfishmummy · 08/04/2022 20:19

Weird

MinglingFlamingo · 08/04/2022 20:21

Also these days I would want proof that she hasn't cashed it. With my banking app I can cash a cheque but after I still have the cheque on my hand because it's not taken from me by a bank cashier

However I would probably just pay the £28 to keep the peace

tigger1001 · 08/04/2022 20:26

@Blondeshavemorefun

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

You have 6 months to present a cheque to the bank so she wouldn't be able to cash that cheque now
Darbs76 · 08/04/2022 20:27

I wouldn’t dare ask for it, but I’d pay if I’d received the goods

Mellowyellow222 · 08/04/2022 20:29

@Dagnabit

If the woman has a child in High School, she’s hardly going to be a kid, is she *@PinkSyCo*

OP, I’d double check old transactions first, ask for the cheque to be transferred then pay it if it wasn’t taken the first time. Maybe think of a funny reference to put on the transfer!

I am confused. The call was from someone her daughter went to primary school with - or the mother of someone her daughter went to primary school with.

I thought t was a child??

bluebellsandcustard · 08/04/2022 20:29

How weird that she asked!
It's her fault entirely, I would never ask if I was in that position.

You did pay her, it's her responsibility to cash the cheque.

OutingHobby · 08/04/2022 20:31

Odd but she must be desperate so I'd transfer it. You had the cards after all. If it wasn't someone who you vaguely know somehow I wouldn't bother.r

User76745333 · 08/04/2022 20:31

You had the stuff and so you should pay.

LondonQueen · 08/04/2022 20:35

Whilst legally you have paid, she was slack to not cash in the cheque.
I would pay, she must be desperate to ask.

TheNameOfTheRoses · 08/04/2022 20:38

Nope I wouldn’t pay AGAIN.

1- you had pay for the goods. The fact she didn’t cash the cheque isn’t your problem.
2- did you see the cheque or are you only going in from what she says?