Mobile phone bill error in my favour

djderekjames

My mobile phone provider has made an error in my favour, I will not mention which one but it appears there was a care credit applied previously in order to allow me to cancel early. I have since decided to stay with them and my current bill shows be substantially in credit.

My question is this, assuming they dont notice it, is there a minimum time after which they cannot claim it back (ie 30 days) or will I end up being legally obliged to pay this back eventually?

Quentin

The legal maximum time for instigating proceedings to recover money owed is 6 years.

You will always owe them money, till you pay them!

djderekjames

maybee i didnt explain myself properly, say for instance i pay 40 quid a month, this months bill shows me as 250 in credit, I therefore dont (officially) have a bill to pay at present unless they rectify their mistake (and ill no doubt get hit double next month) Im well aware that I will no doubt have to pay this but.... is there a certain amount of time after which they cant just say "opps we made a mistake 6 months ago and now you need to pay it?" or can they do that at any time?

Guys_Dad

See Quentin's reply.

sporedude

djderekjames wrote: »

maybee i didnt explain myself properly, say for instance i pay 40 quid a month, this months bill shows me as 250 in credit, I therefore dont (officially) have a bill to pay at present unless they rectify their mistake (and ill no doubt get hit double next month) Im well aware that I will no doubt have to pay this but.... is there a certain amount of time after which they cant just say "opps we made a mistake 6 months ago and now you need to pay it?" or can they do that at any time?

If its 250 in credit, they may notice, And any used on paying your bills they may ask for it back.

As above, They have 6 years.

OneADay

Not understanding this me.

If you were going to leave early - they would have wanted a termination fee (which looks to be for about 6 months on basis of the 250 credit and 40 a month you mentioned).

So did they take that money from your bank account? If they did, then you are in credit and out of pocket yourself?

Quentin

You owe them the money they are billing you.

You agree the credit is there in error.

You could pay the money to yourself each month and don't touch it till the 6 years are up. Then they can't use the courts to chase you. Doesn't mean they won't send the boys round though.

sporedude

Just another new poster being dishonest.

[Deleted User]

No way. How many of you would just sit there and not say enything and hope they didnt notice?

macman

The OP is not obliged to point out their error. Sooner or later they will pick it up, he should just look on it as interest free credit in the meantime.

Jon_01

Depends on what billing reports they run at month end.

I know the network I work for run a number of reports to show 'usual' activity. And a sudden amount of that much credit would show up right away. . .