Refunded money double paid when closing gas and electric account

jcw17

Hi,

Just wondering what people's thoughts are on this.

We moved house last year and I closed down the utilities account for the gas and electric (same company). We pay by direct debit monthy installments and as this was December we were in credit on both accounts to a total of £500. Amazingly this money was credited to my bank account twice - one in Dec and again in Jan. At the time with all the hassle of moving house and all the extra costs involved I didn't really think about returning the extra refund and had completely forgotten about it. As we were moving to a temporary house we gave a forwarding address of my in-laws. When we went to see the in-laws last weekend there were two letters wating for us asking for the money to be sent back to them. Since moving our household income has gone done 50% so we certainly don't have £500 sitting around to pay back in one go. I know morally I should give this money back, but as it is was the Utility company's mistake do I legally have to?

Any ideas/comments much appreciated.

spiro

Yes you have to repay it. If £100,000 appeared in your bank account you would know (unless your Wayne Rooney) that a mistake had been made and therefore you should set the money aside knowing someone will coming to collect it. Given that its nearly 12 months later and the money arrived twice over Xmas (busy time) and its now almost Xmas again you could ask to time to repay as 'you did not know it had happened'.

glenderg

You know the answer don't you. Lets say you paid someone twice for the same service, your mistake, what would you want them to do?
Look at it this way, you are either a thief or you are not, the decision is yours.

Antispam

If they ask for it back you will have to pay it

The right thing to do is contact them, however if you act dumb and keep money then you have no reason to then complain when they ask for it back

JasX

yes you do need to pay it back.

but should be able to negotiate some kind of payment plan

you havn't a leg to stand on to avoid paying