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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To not want to pay this tradesman twice for the work.

64 replies

Internationalwomendayheadquarters · 17/04/2023 16:48

A tradesman came to my house and did some work for me.

When I received his invoice, I paid him using my online banking straight away as he was a saved recipient on my banking (from a year ago when he did previous work). A month or so later he emailed to say that he had not received payment.

It turns out that the banking details were different and the invoice did have the new details on there (therefore I do know it was my mistake). However, when I popped to the bank, they said they cannot recover my money as it has already gone through and that the beneficiary (my tradesman) has already received it. He says the account is closed and that he cannot access it. What should I do? It’s £150 and I really don’t want to pay it twice.

OP posts:
GoodChat · 17/04/2023 16:50

You have to pay him.

If the accounts closed the payment should bounce back eventually.

You've acknowledged it's your mistake. He doesn't deserve to be out of pocket.

dietcokelime · 17/04/2023 16:52

I think you need to pay him - the onus would be on you to check the details and double check them against the invoice you received.

You can argue with the bank about the amount being returned / forwarded or whatever happened to it, but it's not fair on him to be out of pocket due to your error. It's not paying him twice if you didn't actually pay him to the correct account in the first place.

Original poster
Internationalwomendayheadquarters · 17/04/2023 16:52

@GoodChat thanks for your reply.

The bank is saying that it is not a closed account. If it is, do you know when I can expect the payment back? It went out in January.

But if I pay twice, won’t I be out of pocket?

OP posts:
Frabbits · 17/04/2023 16:52

You sending money to the wrong account was your fault, so you need to send £150 to the correct account. You then see if you can recover the other £150.

MasterOfOne · 17/04/2023 16:52

Agreed -you should pay the invoice using the correct details and chase your bank to recover the other payment.

Your mistake here.

PatchworkElmer · 17/04/2023 16:53

You’re at fault, so you need to pay him into his new account. Sorry.

Original poster
Internationalwomendayheadquarters · 17/04/2023 16:53

MasterOfOne · 17/04/2023 16:52

Agreed -you should pay the invoice using the correct details and chase your bank to recover the other payment.

Your mistake here.

I’ve already checked with the bank, though, and they say it isn’t a closed account. I’m worried I could be scammed here. The tradesman has been declared bankrupt in the past. (I didn’t know this when I took him on)

They are saying that they can’t recover it.

OP posts:
GoodChat · 17/04/2023 16:55

Internationalwomendayheadquarters · 17/04/2023 16:52

@GoodChat thanks for your reply.

The bank is saying that it is not a closed account. If it is, do you know when I can expect the payment back? It went out in January.

But if I pay twice, won’t I be out of pocket?

I don't know how long it takes but if you don't pay it he'll be out of pocket. He's completed the work and you didn't pay the invoice correctly.

If you'd put in an incorrect account number, would you pay him again?

Inthesamesinkingboat · 17/04/2023 16:55

Was it his account? I would ask your bank to send you something to confirm that the account is not closed and show that to him. It sounds like a good way of tradesmen getting doublebubble for jobs. Update your account every few months and claim to have not received the first payment

Original poster
Internationalwomendayheadquarters · 17/04/2023 16:55

OK ‘scammed’ perhaps isn’t the correct word, as I know he didn’t do this intentionally and that I’m at fault, but what if he’s trying his luck to get payment twice?

OP posts:
londonrach · 17/04/2023 16:55

In this case you at fault...you should have checked details....you need to pay him

Original poster
Internationalwomendayheadquarters · 17/04/2023 16:56

Inthesamesinkingboat · 17/04/2023 16:55

Was it his account? I would ask your bank to send you something to confirm that the account is not closed and show that to him. It sounds like a good way of tradesmen getting doublebubble for jobs. Update your account every few months and claim to have not received the first payment

Yes it went into a previous account of his.

OP posts:
Tinkerbyebye · 17/04/2023 16:59

Hi back to the bank and ask them to confirm in writing that the details you hold are correct in that the account is open and in the name of the trader

then provide that to the tradesman and tell him the dispute is with the bank

sounds like he maybe overdrawn so they won’t give him the money

Ellmau · 17/04/2023 16:59

Maybe one now controlled by his creditors?

I'm not sure what the answer is, OP, but perhaps get more info from the tradesman?

Danikm151 · 17/04/2023 17:00

He’s probably overdrawn so not using the account

Frabbits · 17/04/2023 17:01

Inthesamesinkingboat · 17/04/2023 16:55

Was it his account? I would ask your bank to send you something to confirm that the account is not closed and show that to him. It sounds like a good way of tradesmen getting doublebubble for jobs. Update your account every few months and claim to have not received the first payment

...which only works as a scam if you don't update your details on the invoice, which OP said he had.

I mean, it's not impossible the guy is lying but the fact is that OP should have not assumed the details had not changed.

If the account has been closed there are a number of things that could have happened. If, for example, the guy used the current account switching service the payment would have been redirected automatically BUT your bank should have recieved notification this had happened.

googledidnthelp · 17/04/2023 17:02

YABU your mistake, yes he might be being dishonest and pocketed it already, he might not be. Either way you haven't paid him as agreed and you made an assumption.

Albiboba · 17/04/2023 17:03

You can’t be serious! You wouldn’t be paying him twice, you haven’t paid him! It’s not his fault you lose £150, that’s entirely your own fault and not relevant other than trying to punish someone for your mistake.

TyneTeas · 17/04/2023 17:07

If the account is closed then the bank will return the payment.

If the account is his and has not been closed then he has been paid

I wouldn't be paying twice without further info or checks

GrumpyPanda · 17/04/2023 17:11

I wouldn't pay twice. Get confirmation from the bank as stated by pp and forward him a copy. If he's received the funds at a different account he doesn't have a claim against you.

Only exception if he's doing an outstanding job and you anticipate using him a lot more in the future so need his goodwill.

skyeisthelimit · 17/04/2023 17:12

YANBU. If the account is in his name and the bank says it is open then he has received the money.

Do not pay him again. He needs to take the issue up with his bank.

rachelvbwho · 17/04/2023 17:13

What payment details were on the invoice?

That is key here. Ultimately it is your responsibility to pay to the correct account. If he gave you accurate details on your invoice and you sent it to the wrong place then this is fully on you.

And yes, you will be out of pocket, you made the mistake. Lesson learnt- next time you will check the payment details

Move22 · 17/04/2023 17:14

skyeisthelimit · 17/04/2023 17:12

YANBU. If the account is in his name and the bank says it is open then he has received the money.

Do not pay him again. He needs to take the issue up with his bank.

Totally this.

he could have at least warned you about his account details changing….

Zonder · 17/04/2023 17:14

If it's not a closed account he must still have got the money. I would go back to the bank and ask for advice.

Merryoldgoat · 17/04/2023 17:17

If he’s been declared bankrupt then the old account will be frozen so he can’t access it and the receivers can keep the funds to go to his prior debts.

This is on you I’m afraid.