False invoice - who do I report it too

Ectophile

You can't report fraud to the police any more.  They were getting overwhelmed with fraud reports that they could never find time to follow up on.

So you now contact Action Fraud instead.  Their name is rather dishonest, as they do not take action on fraud.  They log it, and may pass a file on to the police if they think it's worth investigating.

Arunmor

OP if you plan on pursuing this you had better have clean hands this has the smell of vengeful tit for tat attacks on each other.  Do as you lawyer suggests and get the job done then your free.

You started this conversation in August 2023, why can't you just draw a line.

Divorcedwith3

@ Arunmor 
I was presented with a large bill for work that was said to have been done when I know it wasn’t. If a shop gave you a bill for something you didn’t receive then wouldn’t you appeal it. I did ask the tradesperson to provide receipts of materials, copies of reports he said he did that he then charged hundreds of pounds for and I also asked him to provide me proof he did the work and the rationale behind doing it. He didn’t provide any of these despite being asked to several times so I therefore rightly think he has something to hide. I am not going to pay a bill for something I didn’t receive and I’m also not going to let someone provide bills to people for work they won’t provide evidence that they did. 

If he has done it to me then I’m sure he will have done it to other people. 

I haven’t done anything wrong and approached him in an attempt to rectify it. My hands are very clean I do not try and defraud people for personal gain! And yes I didn’t ask here because it’s a consumer sight with people who have experience with organisations like tracing standards etc so I was wondering if they had any experience or advice to provide. 

Divorcedwith3

I’m actually surprised at the level of antagonism towards me. 

If anyone had received a bill for something they didn’t receive then surely they have the right to be annoyed? My motives have been questioned and I’ve received negative comments. 

If one of you got a bill for a car you didn’t buy, electricity you didn’t use, a service you didn’t ask for or receive and then received paperwork that didn’t add up then would you not all question it. 

I contacted the person several times in an attempt to clarify the bill and didn’t get responses. If he had done nothing wrong then why wouldn’t he want to communicate and resolve the issue. I gave him months between emails and am only getting to deal with this now due to other personal circumstances. 

Regardless however of the background, the motives, the timelines or anything else this man tried to get money out of me for work he didn’t do. They are the facts. 

voluted

Divorcedwith3 said:

I’m actually surprised at the level of antagonism towards me. 

If anyone had received a bill for something they didn’t receive then surely they have the right to be annoyed? My motives have been questioned and I’ve received negative comments. 

If one of you got a bill for a car you didn’t buy, electricity you didn’t use, a service you didn’t ask for or receive and then received paperwork that didn’t add up then would you not all question it. 

I contacted the person several times in an attempt to clarify the bill and didn’t get responses. If he had done nothing wrong then why wouldn’t he want to communicate and resolve the issue. I gave him months between emails and am only getting to deal with this now due to other personal circumstances. 

Regardless however of the background, the motives, the timelines or anything else this man tried to get money out of me for work he didn’t do. They are the facts. 

If I'd done work for someone I'd be a bit miffed if their ex suddenly turned up demanding I prove that I'd done the work.

I understand why you might be aggrieved but I can also see it from their side as well.

Ultimately I'd be telling them to take it up with the person who hired them, as I can't see why you have a legal responsibility to pay the bill for a job that was contracted out by your ex. If the work was done I could see it being included in a divorce settlement, but as far as things go between you and the tradesperson, I don't see you having a responsibility legally.

Aylesbury_Duck

Divorcedwith3 said:

I’m actually surprised at the level of antagonism towards me. 

If anyone had received a bill for something they didn’t receive then surely they have the right to be annoyed? My motives have been questioned and I’ve received negative comments. 

If one of you got a bill for a car you didn’t buy, electricity you didn’t use, a service you didn’t ask for or receive and then received paperwork that didn’t add up then would you not all question it. 

I contacted the person several times in an attempt to clarify the bill and didn’t get responses. If he had done nothing wrong then why wouldn’t he want to communicate and resolve the issue. I gave him months between emails and am only getting to deal with this now due to other personal circumstances. 

Regardless however of the background, the motives, the timelines or anything else this man tried to get money out of me for work he didn’t do. They are the facts. 

It's not antagonism, it's pragmatism.  You clearly want to take some sort of action, but people have been pointing out that you've already got an engaged solicitor who is better placed to advise than anyone on here, that there doesn't seem to be compelling evidence that you have good reason to take action, and that any action you do take is unlikely to result in the outcome you want.

No one is going to give you the answer you're looking for, and no amount of agreement with your view is going to change your odds of success in any case.  All you can do is speak to your solicitor and/or report it to Action Fraud and see what happens.

Okell

@Divorcedwith3 -  but the question you actually asked at the outset was:

Divorcedwith3 said:

... However I want to now report this friend - he was willing to take part in something that seems very shady and demand money out of me. Who exactly do I report him to that can investigate these invoices/ bills further? 

You didn't ask whether you were right to challenge it or whether you were right not to pay half of it.

You asked who you could report him to - and you've been told.

However, I suspect that if you managed to report it to the police, or to Action Fraud (a name that ought to be an offence on its own under Trade Descriptions legislation), or even to Trading Standards, that none of them would be interested and they'd all do SFA.  Nobody will "investigate" it and nobody will take any action against him.

Simply follow your solicitor's advice - whatever it is - on this matter, get the divorce over with, and put it all behind you

born_again

Divorcedwith3 said:

@ Arunmor 
I was presented with a large bill for work that was said to have been done when I know it wasn’t. If a shop gave you a bill for something you didn’t receive then wouldn’t you appeal it. I did ask the tradesperson to provide receipts of materials, copies of reports he said he did that he then charged hundreds of pounds for and I also asked him to provide me proof he did the work and the rationale behind doing it. He didn’t provide any of these despite being asked to several times so I therefore rightly think he has something to hide. I am not going to pay a bill for something I didn’t receive and I’m also not going to let someone provide bills to people for work they won’t provide evidence that they did. 

If he has done it to me then I’m sure he will have done it to other people. 

I haven’t done anything wrong and approached him in an attempt to rectify it. My hands are very clean I do not try and defraud people for personal gain! And yes I didn’t ask here because it’s a consumer sight with people who have experience with organisations like tracing standards etc so I was wondering if they had any experience or advice to provide. 

So do not pay. Wait & see if they take you to court over the matter.

Personally if you go to the police, expect that they will simply say this is a civil matter, once you explain the situation.

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6469045/inflated-invoice-for-repairs-i-didnt-request#latest

Old thread.

sheramber

The OP’s attempts to remove both her threads hasn’t worked

Arunmor

I wasn't suggesting you just paid it.  I wouldn't until I was satisfied it was a legitimate expense and the lawyer advised accordingly.