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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To spend money when I don’t have any idea where it’s come from?

153 replies

NobodyLivesHere · 26/05/2024 16:04

On checking my bank account this morning there is £600 in there that I can’t account for. The only info is an account number I don’t recognise.
I desperately need a plumber to come out and unblock some outside pipes and it’s been causing me a lot of stress as I can’t afford it. I’m off sick from work after a life altering accident and I’m a single parent to 3 including a disabled child, my savings have been eaten by this and there’s no telling when or even if I’ll be able to return to work.

I know I should report this money to my bank. But part of me wants to use £150 of it to do the work needed. And then if I have to pay it back set up a payment plan.

is this awful? It’s awful isn’t it? And yet it’s just….there.

OP posts:
Middleagedspreadisreal · 27/05/2024 20:04

ILikePistachios · 26/05/2024 16:12

Honestly I'd spend it. You're not responsible for making the mistake. Your priority is yourself, your children and your home. If someone can't properly check bank details when sending a transaction, that's on them. The bank will recover it eventually anyway so you'd better move it to another account or withdraw it quickly

That's terrible advice

ILikePistachios · 27/05/2024 20:05

Middleagedspreadisreal · 27/05/2024 20:04

That's terrible advice

Show quote history

So I've heard, about 6 times.

Spudoolikay · 27/05/2024 20:07

😂

anon666 · 27/05/2024 20:20

You'll end up paying it back.

This happened to me. A bank error.

I was absolutely back to the wall financially so had a spending spree. 😬

Then the bank picked up the error, amd I had to pay it all back. I had splurged on stuff - all essential - but all at once.

It was a massive, painful mistake.

6pence · 27/05/2024 20:21

Good luck op

AvocadoSurprise · 27/05/2024 20:32

Really pleased for you. How great to hear a positive story! Hope you get your drains sorted & treat yourself to something nice as well as necessities.

Blondeshavemorefun · 27/05/2024 20:48

Sounds like the money is meant for you

Agree May be help to save if was saving the £50 a month

Def complain about your landlord - raw sewage in your garden is not acceptable

Bekindmyarse · 27/05/2024 20:56

@NobodyLivesHere so happy to read that the money is a gift. I hope it buys you some peace of mind at this really difficult time.
your landlord is a bastard of the highest order. karma will be a bitch when it catches up with him.
i hope you’re on the mend and on the path to brighter horizons very soon. Big hugs x

marmaladeandpeanutbutter · 27/05/2024 21:48

Banks aren't always keen to sort out mistaken payments. We had 1500 paid from our account to a third unknown party and several letters to various layers of the bank hierarchy did not sort it. They would not accept it.

It took over a year and me not letting it go, plus one astute customer service operator for them to see that it was one digit out. I finally got reimbursed, but no apology, despite requesting one.

VJBR · 27/05/2024 22:54

YouJustDoYou · 27/05/2024 19:22

Stealing someone else's money will not end well.

Did you actually bother reading any of the thread

VJBR · 27/05/2024 22:55

Really great conclusion. There are some good people out there.

SamuelDJackson · 27/05/2024 23:02

So glad to hear about the money OP, really hope that you are able to use it for something worthwhile for yourself rather than shoring up your landlords neglect -or even just have a better buffer saved.

Hope the advice and help here (and involvement of officialdom through OT, shelter and hopefully environmental health) can make your landlord behave appropriately and discharge his responsibilities to not only you as his tenant but to the rest of your neighbourhood.

hcee19 · 27/05/2024 23:07

Be very careful. First of all don't spend any of this money until you know it is meant for you.
The bank will look into it for you. Just be vigilant, could be a scam , they could contact you asking to send it back to them, then, if you do, they have your details.
There's that many scams going on by vile scum , you must be very careful. Ring the bank as soon as....Good luck

JaniceBattersby · 27/05/2024 23:14

I’m really glad it appears to be a gift OP.

For others reading the thread, the bank cannot take the money back if it’s not their error, but what they can do is pass the details to the CPS who can, and will, prosecute for retaining a wrongful credit resulting in a criminal conviction. There are many recent examples of this. The person involved can also sue the recipient of the money in the civil court and then you’ll have a CCJ to add into the mix. It’s never worth keeping the money.

Original poster
NobodyLivesHere · 28/05/2024 02:50

Spudoolikay · 27/05/2024 20:00

Glad you're feeling supported OP. I detest people like your landlord. Careful about withholding rent - get advice from Shelter about that, it can sometimes cause more issues than it's worth, as the landlord can then use that against you. (Unless you have to get repairs and pay, then recoup that way, but I'm not even sure about that!).

I will double check with shelter that that’s ok before I do it.

OP posts:
Original poster
NobodyLivesHere · 28/05/2024 02:52

Trampslikeu · 27/05/2024 20:39

Please check to see if you are entitled to claim PIP
https://www.benefitsandwork.co.uk/personal-independence-payment-pip
It will help if you are not able to work.
Sending hugs, and hope you get everything sorted.
Good Luck.

Yeah I’ve been advised to apply. I’m waiting the form currently. Thank you!

OP posts:
Original poster
NobodyLivesHere · 28/05/2024 02:54

marmaladeandpeanutbutter · 27/05/2024 21:48

Banks aren't always keen to sort out mistaken payments. We had 1500 paid from our account to a third unknown party and several letters to various layers of the bank hierarchy did not sort it. They would not accept it.

It took over a year and me not letting it go, plus one astute customer service operator for them to see that it was one digit out. I finally got reimbursed, but no apology, despite requesting one.

That’s a nightmare! I’m glad you eventually got it back!

OP posts:
nothingsforgotten · 28/05/2024 03:40

NobodyLivesHere · 26/05/2024 16:19

Oh that’s a whole saga…basically the pipes that take the sewerage away are really old, there’s a crack in it right on the boundary between my property and next door. They are also not sloped correctly so they don’t drain. Everything backs up and then blocks my loo. For years the water company have come out a few times a year and cleared them as it’s on the boundary. This year they decided it’s not their problem anymore. I don’t own my house. My landlord refuses to pay. My neighbour refuses to pay. I’m the end of the line so to speak so it’s my house and yard that end up with raw sewerage seeping out if it’s not done. I have in the past cleared them (kind of) myself, but I physically can’t now.

so I pay or I have a back yard swimming in shit. 😔

That's shocking! I had a similar issue several years ago, and my landlords got it fixed. Surely it's their responsibilty to sort it out, not yours.

Oh, I've just read your update, and I'm so pleased the money is actually for you. However, please don't use it to fix the pipes, that is not your responsibilty. Your landlord sounds awful.

bluejelly · 28/05/2024 04:58

I'm so pleased you can keep the money, what a lovely outcome.
And great that Shelter were so helpful. Your thread has inspired me to send them a donation Smile

bananaramaterry · 28/05/2024 05:46

hcee19 · 27/05/2024 23:07

Be very careful. First of all don't spend any of this money until you know it is meant for you.
The bank will look into it for you. Just be vigilant, could be a scam , they could contact you asking to send it back to them, then, if you do, they have your details.
There's that many scams going on by vile scum , you must be very careful. Ring the bank as soon as....Good luck

🤦‍♀️

RickyGervaislovesdogs · 28/05/2024 05:51

NobodyLivesHere · 26/05/2024 16:19

Oh that’s a whole saga…basically the pipes that take the sewerage away are really old, there’s a crack in it right on the boundary between my property and next door. They are also not sloped correctly so they don’t drain. Everything backs up and then blocks my loo. For years the water company have come out a few times a year and cleared them as it’s on the boundary. This year they decided it’s not their problem anymore. I don’t own my house. My landlord refuses to pay. My neighbour refuses to pay. I’m the end of the line so to speak so it’s my house and yard that end up with raw sewerage seeping out if it’s not done. I have in the past cleared them (kind of) myself, but I physically can’t now.

so I pay or I have a back yard swimming in shit. 😔

This can’t be right, you need to paste this problem in legal maybe?
It’s an environmental health issue surely if you have raw sewage pouring out.

It sounds like more than £600 job OP.

RickyGervaislovesdogs · 28/05/2024 05:53

Glad you got to keep the cash!

Original poster
NobodyLivesHere · 28/05/2024 07:13

RickyGervaislovesdogs · 28/05/2024 05:51

This can’t be right, you need to paste this problem in legal maybe?
It’s an environmental health issue surely if you have raw sewage pouring out.

It sounds like more than £600 job OP.

Show quote history

A proper fix definitely is. The short term fix is just to clear the pipes and that stops it for a while.

OP posts:
Spudoolikay · 28/05/2024 09:45

Posting in the legal section is a good suggestion too OP. I really hope the OT can work with the council to get you rehoused as that would be the best outcome. As disruptive as it would be in the short term, long term it would hopefully mean secure tenancy for you. How are your dc managing currently?