Dispute with Credit Union over outstanding balance

bestpud

I hope I'm on the right board for this!

I had a loan with my local credit union and fell behind with payments in August 2010. However, I received a letter in March of last year (2011) and paid the outstanding balance in full shortly after.

I paid it at a local information centre and didn't take my book (I actually never have!) so I have no proof at all! They placed the money, in an envelope, under the door of the credit union office - this has not been a problem before.

Now, a year later, they have sent a letter out of the blue saying I still owe this outstanding balance plus accrued interest over the last year!

I called to say I have paid it and they said they'd check the records and get back to me. Today I've received a very snotty letter telling me they have no record of it being paid and I owe that and the interest!

I'm not happy at all, but is there anything I can do without proof?

Any advice is welcome- I'm most annoyed!

jon_boy75

When you paid it off in full, obviously you got a receipt, yes?

bestpud

jon_boy75 wrote: »

When you paid it off in full, obviously you got a receipt, yes?

Unfortunately, no.

Stupid in hindsight but I've never had a problem before.

I probably wouldn't have it now anyway as I assumed it was done and dusted! They were demanding it a year ago and I received no more letters or demands, so it's not unreasonable to assume it was all ok.

Doesn't help me now, I know, but I honestly didn't know they haven't received it, or logged it - whatever the mess up is!!

fracturedsun

Did you pay in cash?

You can ask them to check again but if you don't have a reciept, record from a cheque or any other way to show you've paid I doubt they'll write it off. Otherwise anyone could say they've made a payment in cash whether they did or not.

Hope they manage to trace the payment for you.

bestpud

fracturedsun wrote: »

Did you pay in cash?

You can ask them to check again but if you don't have a reciept, record from a cheque or any other way to show you've paid I doubt they'll write it off. Otherwise anyone could say they've made a payment in cash whether they did or not.

Hope they manage to trace the payment for you.

Yes, in cash

I thought as much but it's horrible to think I may have to pay it again! Plus interest from the last year, just to rub salt in the wound!

opinions4u

So basically your allegation is that somebody, probably employed by the credit union or information centre, has stolen an envelope full of cash.

You need to pursue this as a complaint - via a chief office if there is one. If it's a one office operation, you need to talk to the senior person there. Both on the credit union side and information centre side. It may be that the credit union or info centre have been aware of other similar happenings. If so, there's an outside chance of them accepting your story.

Beyond that, you could involve the police and make a clear allegation of theft.

placed the money, in an envelope, under the door of the credit union office

I know the penny has now dropped, but for others reading it: Always get a receipt for cash.

bestpud

opinions4u wrote: »

So basically your allegation is that somebody, probably employed by the credit union or information centre, has stolen an envelope full of cash.

You need to pursue this as a complaint - via a chief office if there is one. If it's a one office operation, you need to talk to the senior person there. Both on the credit union side and information centre side. It may be that the credit union or info centre have been aware of other similar happenings. If so, there's an outside chance of them accepting your story.

Beyond that, you could involve the police and make a clear allegation of theft.

I know the penny has now dropped, but for others reading it: Always get a receipt for cash.

That's what I'm thinking too, so I'm glad you've come to that conclusion from an objective viewpoint.

They are separate - the CU uses part of the Info centre on certain days.

Trouble is, it is a year ago and I know who took the money from me but I don't have a clue when it was! Well, it was March or early April and it was a week day, but that doesn't narrow it down much!

McKneff

Was there a note with the cash saying who it was from and what it was for?

bestpud

McKneff wrote: »

Was there a note with the cash saying who it was from and what it was for?

He got me to write my name and membership number on the envelope and I put 'loan repayment - outstanding balance'.

I didn't put the amount but the guy who took it knew it was cash because I went there thinking I'd pay it in properly there and then - with a slip etc.

He said they couldn't get into the money office but would put it under the door, and I watched him do that.

I'm racking my brain trying to remember the date but it's not going to help anyway if they have no record or me being there.

If they'd let me know sooner I'd be able to give the day/time etc but not a year on.

jonesMUFCforever

To start with can you provide evidence that you withdrew the amount from a bank/building society account?

Won't help a lot but it would be a start.

pauletruth

no proof of payment then you owe the money.