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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:
TheVolturi · 08/04/2022 21:24

It's a bit like her saying, you know when you paid me in cash all those years ago, well I lost it walking home. Can you pay me again?

ButtockUp · 08/04/2022 21:28

@GladAllOver

This. You've legally paid.

That's rubbish. The cheque was an offer to pay, but no money changed hands.
You've had the goods so pay the price.

Yes, it's an offer to pay, but it has a six month deadline, No bank would honour it.
YouOKHun · 08/04/2022 21:31

She should be better organised. I wouldn’t follow up on a cheque I’d forgotten to pay in. The chances are, if she was mixed up in that MLM (Phoenix went out of business and is now flamingo Paperie) she probably lost more money than she made and if she’s still doing MLM she’ll need to retrieve every penny she can.

ConsuelaHammock · 08/04/2022 21:34

If she’s asked you then she probably needs the money. I’d pay it.

TabithaTittlemouse · 08/04/2022 21:35

I would think tough but I would also feel for her, she’s obviously struggling and trying to get money. Can you afford to give it to her? If so I would (after checking that she’s not already cashed it) because she’s obviously desperate.

ElenaSt · 08/04/2022 21:39

I would want the cheque back and then I would give her a new one or cash. I wouldn’t travel to meet her or go out if my way.

If she won’t give the cheque back then tough titty.

LndnGrl · 08/04/2022 21:42

I'd be tempted to tell her there's an admin fee of £30 to correct her mistake of not cashing it at the time.

Her not cashing it isn't your problem.

OldWivesTale · 08/04/2022 21:44

I think it's odd she's asking now after all this time which makes me think that she must be quite desperate for money - so I would just pay her. You did have the cards, after all. If you can afford it, just pay her.

Patented · 08/04/2022 21:52

No way! Cheeky so and so. Not your problem or responsibility

Dinoteeth · 08/04/2022 21:58

I would check with the bank, it could have been cashed via remote banking- depending on her bank.

pleasejustgjvemeabreak · 08/04/2022 21:59

Tell her that unfortunately you'd assumed she'd cashed it and you haven't budgeted for it now.

Alternatively ignore the message!

DramaAlpaca · 08/04/2022 22:05

I'd pay, but ask her to return the cheque to me first.

Ragwort · 08/04/2022 22:20

TheVolturi it's not at all the same as if you had given her cash and she's lost it Confused; assuming the cheque hasn't been cashed then the OP still has the £28 plus the cards she initially received.

Morally, if you genuinely believe the cheque wasn't cashed then you should honour the payment. That's why it's important to look at your bank statements.

ivykaty44 · 08/04/2022 22:21

Well you do owe her the money. Do you think she actually has that cheque? If she does then I think she should pop round to your house and you can just change the date on it and initial it.

this ^

then she can use the cheque app to deposit into her bank account

Bethany7 · 08/04/2022 22:22

Is the person in year 11 so aged 16 ish? And therefore would have been about 10 years old when this happened? Perhaps I have misunderstood. But if I am right I am sure the 16 year old could do with the money and would have been 10 when she did the cards for you...?

LowlandLucky · 08/04/2022 22:24

Not a chance, she had 6 months to cash your payment and she choose not to.

EthelTheAardvark · 08/04/2022 22:28

If I hadn't cashed a 6 year old cheque I would reckon it was my own stupid fault and suck it up. However, since she's raised it I think you're right to pay it, there's no point getting into arguments about it.

MinglingFlamingo · 08/04/2022 22:34

@Bethany7

Is the person in year 11 so aged 16 ish? And therefore would have been about 10 years old when this happened? Perhaps I have misunderstood. But if I am right I am sure the 16 year old could do with the money and would have been 10 when she did the cards for you...?
The way I understand it is that it's the year 11s mum who was a parent at the school gate who had an MLM to do with birthday cards 6 years ago.
Blondeshavemorefun · 08/04/2022 22:36

@TheVolturi

It's a bit like her saying, you know when you paid me in cash all those years ago, well I lost it walking home. Can you pay me again?
No it isn’t

As op hasn’t actually paid or lost any money

Yet has the books

VanGoghsDog · 08/04/2022 22:38

@Ducksurprise

When did remote cheque banking come in? I have the actual cheques although they have been cashed. Is she charging you 2016 prices
This would be my concern, that she paid it in via an app but still has the paper copy.

OP - try to cancel the cheque, you'll soon find out.

Timeforausernamechange22 · 08/04/2022 22:38

But maybe she did cash it. When I get a cheque I just scan it on my phone, I still have the physical cheque though and it’s down to me to destroy it. Of course I could put it away then bring it out 6 years later (conveniently 6yrs is the max time banks would keep financial records, after that there it is unlikely you will be able to get a statement to prove whether it was cashed or not) and then demand it be paid again. That might be a bit cynical though.
Either way you paid. Not your problem

Alexandra2001 · 08/04/2022 22:40

@TheVolturi

It's a bit like her saying, you know when you paid me in cash all those years ago, well I lost it walking home. Can you pay me again?
Not really because a cheque has no intrinsic value until cashed, the OP never had any funds taken from her account.

I'd pay because its the right thing to do.

Wiredforsound · 08/04/2022 22:41

Ask for the original cheque back and give her another cheque.

NewName9273 · 08/04/2022 22:51

I personally would pay. She must be desperate f or the money to even be asking.

I can't imagine many people would ask, it's a tough world out there right now. £28 might mean a great deal to her now.

Cherrysoup · 08/04/2022 22:55

Tricky. As cheques can now be scanned and paid without the need to go to the bank, dunno if that works for old cheques, I’d be wary. (Who has a chequebook anymore?:! My mum, that’s who!)

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