Overpayment, can they do this?

clemmatis

dmg24 wrote: »

Why would you hope this, as you know that you are not entitled to it?

Because he could do with the money? When British Gas wrote to me to say they'd undercharged me by more than £1000 over the years,but might not seek to recover the money, I did not think, "Oh gosh! I do hope they take the money".

dmg24

clemmatis wrote: »

Because he could do with the money? When British Gas wrote to me to say they'd undercharged me by more than £1000 over the years,but might not seek to recover the money, I did not think, "Oh gosh! I do hope they take the money".

Couldn't we all, but that is also the main reason why people steal - does that make it ok?

williacg

clemmatis wrote: »

Because he could do with the money? When British Gas wrote to me to say they'd undercharged me by more than £1000 over the years,but might not seek to recover the money, I did not think, "Oh gosh! I do hope they take the money".

That's quite a different scenario though, the OP states that they have known from the very beginning that the payment made to them was received in error, as tempting as it might be to spend the money, you do so at your own risk, and you can't then be too surprised when they request it back.

clemmatis

dmg24 wrote: »

Couldn't we all, but that is also the main reason why people steal - does that make it ok?

No. But there's a difference between stealing and hoping you won't have to give money back, money that you did not steal, and, as your quote from the OP shows, he just said, he hopes he won't have to give the money back -- as it was their fault.

dmg24

clemmatis wrote: »

No. But there's a difference between stealing and hoping you won't have to give money back, money that you did not steal, and, as your quote from the OP shows, he just said, he hopes he won't have to give the money back -- as it was their fault.

So if the bank accidentally puts £1 million in your account, it's ok to spend it because it was a mistake and you needed it?

Spending money that you know does not belong to you is wrong and needs to be paid back, irrespective of how you came to have that money.

clemmatis

williacg wrote: »

That's quite a different scenario though, the OP states that they have known from the very beginning that the payment made to them was received in error, as tempting as it might be to spend the money, you do so at your own risk, and you can't then be too surprised when they request it back.

sorry, didn't see this when I last posted. But I stand by, there's nothing wrong with hoping not to have to repay money received in error/pay money not paid because bills were incorrect. That's all I'm saying.

dseventy

clemmatis wrote: »

No. But there's a difference between stealing and hoping you won't have to give money back, money that you did not steal, and, as your quote from the OP shows, he just said, he hopes he won't have to give the money back -- as it was their fault.

This is madness.

The OP knew the money was not theirs. They were not entitled. They hoped that because "someone else" made an error, they could keep it.

Always amazes me that when someone benefits financially from a persons/agency/work/DWP mistake, they should keep it as "Its not my mistake".

Yet when they make a mistake (go visit the Employment board for examples) "Are we not all human", "humans make mistakes", "for one mistake I am being punished".

The OP knew they were not entitled.

D70

williacg

clemmatis wrote: »

sorry, didn't see this when I last posted. But I stand by, there's nothing wrong with hoping not to have to repay money received in error/pay money not paid because bills were incorrect. That's all I'm saying.

I do understand what you're saying, and I must admit that i too would probably be tempted, we're only human after all, but I'm afraid that I would just pay it back, as I wouldn't want all of the stress and hassle that is bound to follow.

Loki01

williacg wrote: »

That's quite a different scenario though, the OP states that they have known from the very beginning that the payment made to them was received in error, as tempting as it might be to spend the money, you do so at your own risk, and you can't then be too surprised when they request it back.

I did not know that from the very begining! I gave her the right info and the money came week ealier then the notice! Then, I have realised she did it wrong!

Loki01

Ok, just to clear this up. I called tax credits and gave them the RIGHT info when I received that grant (that was March). Everything was fine and they have acknowledged it and decresed the tax credits accordingly.
Now I renewed over the phone, mentioning the grant as well. They send me the money and I called up to check it is the right, AGAIN, mentioning the grant! I got the money and notice came a week after so I did not know that money wasnt mine.
Hope this clears it up.