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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To not want to do this?

37 replies

Thisishallowscream · 10/12/2024 13:56

I fear I am BU.

My sister is having a kitchen done.
They have been given two prices for quotes, an off the books cash payment and on the record one. Obviously the off the books one is significantly cheaper.

Sister can't get to the bank easily as disabled and would need a taxi so has asked if she can transfer a large amount of money into my bank, me go into town and take it out cash and then take the cash to her.

I feel really uncomfortable with this and I don't know why! Part of me thinks the bank will think it odd that a large payment of money is going in for that exact amount of money to be drawn out again instantly. Part of me just doesn't want to be walking round with a large amount of someone else's cash until I can get there (which is a four bus journey)

AIBU?

OP posts:
Coconutter24 · 10/12/2024 13:58

I’d offer to go in the taxi with her. I wouldn’t feel comfortable walking round with a large amount of someone else’s cash especially if going on the bus

WickedlyCharmed · 10/12/2024 13:59

If she can afford a new kitchen she can afford a taxi.

PrincessAnne4Eva · 10/12/2024 13:59

I wouldn't want to be party to someone else's tax avoidance TBH.

Lavender14 · 10/12/2024 14:00

I agree with others, offer to go with her in a taxi. I wouldn't be touching a large sum of money for someone just incase something goes wrong

Mrsbloggz · 10/12/2024 14:02

My concern would be that she's going to give the builder all the money up front and then he'll disappear . . . or something like that
The fact that he's brazenly offering a lower price for cash makes him look dodgy for a kickoff 😬

Adelstrop · 10/12/2024 14:02

Maybe advise your sister than the 'off the books' arrangement will give her no protection in the event that the work is not done on time or to a satisfactory standard. That's quite apart from not wanting to connive at tax evasion.

Ginmonkeyagain · 10/12/2024 14:03

You may also get caught up in anti money laundering checks. As you correctly note, a large, unusual deposit of money in your account which is then drawn out in cash soon after will trigger alarm bells.

Also unless it is a very cheap kitchen I am not sure you will even be allowed to withdraw the full amount without some notice.

BobbyBiscuits · 10/12/2024 14:03

It's a bad idea to do a dodgy off the books payment for a kitchen. That's at least a couple of grand surely. You need invoices. You need paperwork and guarantee. Urge her to use a legit builder. No good will come of trying to use someone who dodges their taxes and has no insurance. They could leave her house in absolute ruins and she'd have zero comeback.

I hope they haven't started the job?

ItGhoul · 10/12/2024 14:09

First of all, if she transfers thousands into your bank account and you then withdraw straight away in cash, that could possibly make the bank suspicious about money laundering. Secondly, you're right not to want to make four bus journeys carrying that much cash.

Frankly, if she's got enough money to pay for a new kitchen - and is saving on the cost of that by giving cash to some cowboy who isn't declaring income tax - she can also afford a taxi into town to withdraw the money herself, from her own bank. You could certainly offer to go with her to help her, but she needs to withdraw the money herself and if that means getting a taxi, that's what she'll need to do.

Original poster
Thisishallowscream · 10/12/2024 14:30

Thank you everyone!

Yes to all the replies, I just have a huge ick about it all and don't want any involvement.

No they haven't started work or agreed to it yet they have just been to quote for the job.

They do have very good reviews so I don't think they are cowboys in terms of work but you are absolutely right on the what happens if something goes wrong.

I'll try and speak to her about that side too.

OP posts:
purplecorkheart · 10/12/2024 14:34

I would be wary of the bank's money laudering policies and falling foul of it. I lent a friend of mine a relatively small sum of money and she returned it. I had them call me and ask me lots of questions about it.

The fact that it is being used to avoid tax etc and the fact that the builder is most likely dodgy as hell would make me run a mile.

Threelattesplease · 10/12/2024 14:37

The bank will question you. Not to mention what others have said about safety with the cash and work done, what if there is an accident etc. Big no from me.

TotallyAddictedToCoffee · 10/12/2024 14:39

I did this a few months ago @Thisishallowscream, DH transferred me £4k for our bathroom so I could draw it out and bring the cash home. We also paid "off the books" so it was cheaper (they did a wonderful job!!)

The bank didn't bat an eyelid, other than not having that much cash onsite on the day, and I had to go back after the weekend, which is ridiculous!

The reason I went and not DH is that I work in town and he doesn't, so it was more convenient for me to get the cash. I wore a small crossbody handbag underneath my coat to transport the money and all was fine

It really isn't a massive deal, but if you don't want to do it, then don't.

TotallyAddictedToCoffee · 10/12/2024 14:40

I should also add, DH's mum originally transferred him the money, which he then sent to me and the bank didn't say anything or ask where it came from

Poppins21 · 10/12/2024 14:52

I would be worried about walking around with cash that wasn't mine. I agree go with your sister in a taxi.

Bjorkdidit · 10/12/2024 15:15

I know someone who was questioned in detail about trying to withdraw about £2k in cash to pay for some landscaping work.

The bank wasn't happy with his explanation and made him feel like a criminal, which he was as he was aiding and abetting tax evasion.

The way they see it is that honest people pay larger amounts by card or bank transfer.

Catza · 10/12/2024 15:16

My partner often gives me some cash to deposit and transfer him money as he doesn't have time to go to the bank himself. We've been doing it for years depositing and withdrawing several ££££ at a time and it's been absolutely fine. My bank never questioned me about it and, if they did, my partner can show where the money is coming from. It's all above board.

toomuchfaff · 10/12/2024 15:21

WickedlyCharmed · 10/12/2024 13:59

If she can afford a new kitchen she can afford a taxi.

This.

However I had a kitchen fitted recently and was able to bank transfer direct to the fitter, the ask for "cash" is very suspicious and would make me wary they wont finish the job, unless she is paying on completion!

BrerRabbit90 · 10/12/2024 15:28

It's obviously completely up to you, but I wouldn't assume that the bank will necessarily question you. I withdrew £15k in cash to pay a builder and they didn't bat an eyelid!

KeyWorker · 10/12/2024 15:48

I wouldn’t do this. If able to I’d offer her a lift or even pay for the taxi.

YourSnugDeer · 10/12/2024 15:51

This reply has been deleted

This has been deleted by MNHQ for breaking our Talk Guidelines.

OAPapparently · 10/12/2024 15:54

No I wouldn’t do that.

I would worry about it perceived as money laundering, but to be honest these days I don’t trust people very easily and would worry that’s exactly what your sister is doing. A lot of crimes are committed by people close to them.

But mainly I wouldn’t want to be responsible for carrying around large amounts of someone else’s cash. What if you are mugged? Would your sister be happy to lose the money in that scenario or would she expect you to replace it?

Princesssuperstar · 10/12/2024 22:32

I'd go legit..... May cost more but what happens when the cowboy does half a job or a runner then she ends up paying the higher fee anyways so will cost more. Not worth the risk

Eenameenadeeka · 11/12/2024 00:45

Yeah no way I'd do that

Vaxtable · 11/12/2024 01:10

I wouldn’t do this, and I would not be encouraging my sister to agree to tax avoidance by paying in cash. And I hope it’s not all up front

You could also be questioned by the bank about money laundering? And that can lead to your bank account being closed!

I don’t see why she can’t get a taxi, if they can afford a new kitchen she should be able to afford a taxi