Payment Disputes

[robsmith1980]

We have recently recieved a letter from a company stating that we have outstanding invoices from over a year ago. We are sure we have paid these invoices, but due to the time delay we cannot locate any proof. Where do we stand seeing as it is over a year since we believe we have paid these invoices and they have not contacted us before about any outstanding amount?

[Loosehead]

How did you pay them? Can you find matching amounts on your bank statements? Cheque stubs?

[Emily Ball]

I think the onus will be on you to provide proof that you have paid . If you have mislaid or destroyed your bank statements see if your bank can help in tracing the payments you think you made. 

[Didwot]

They can claim the money from you for uo to six years, so a years delay is neither here nor there. Doubtless they will be able to prove that you owe(d) the money, and you will therefore have to show that they are wrong.

[jean88]

I had a similar problem recently but the invoice is dated back 4 years, I am sure that we have paid this bill ( look for my previous posts). We lived at the same address and run into these people many times and strangely they havent mention nothing. Like you we had no proof (4 years ago) but they dont either, all they gave us is an amount and all the dates were wrong, obviously they have just made this up, dishonest people now-a-days....!!?? By law they have to have proof that you owe them money, if they cant provide this they cant proceed. Any further contact and correspondence would be seen as harassment. We pay them cash. How did you pay this? It could provide some kind of record of proof.

Write them letter stating the problem and ask for prove.

I got advice from the trading standards, they were very helpful. Contact them for further advice.

[shimmer]

Rob, I work in a bank and have helped customers in similar situations. I'll give you the advice I gave them.

Firstly, you need to go about this methodically. phone the company and ask for a copy of the invoices. Make sure you get the full name of whoever you speak to. You need to know what the invoices are for, when the goods were purchased, how much is owed, and when the original invoice was sent to you. Make sure the amounts do not include any charges that may have been applied for late payment, as charges will change the original amount owed and can throw you off the course.

If you can't get in touch over the phone, write to them. Keep a copy of the letter, with the date you posted it.it might be worth sending letters recorded delivery-it costs alittle more, but someone has to sign for the letter at the company when it's delivered.

Once you've got this info, look at the invoice: how would you normally pay an invoice like this? Cash, debit/credit card over the phone, by posting a cheque, etc?
What you do then depends on how you think you paid them. If you think it was by cheque or credit/debit card, contact your bank. They can supply you with copies of your statement, or trace cheques etc. You might be better doing this at your local branch, rather than on the telephone.banks will charge for copy statements, etc, whereas if you go in with all the info, sometimes you'll find a nice staff member who'll search your statements for the relevant payments.

If you think you paid cash, e.g. over the counter at a bank, contact the bank and ask if there's any way of tracing this payment, although the answer will probably be no. might be worth contacting citizens advice bureau, who can advise you how to proceed next.

Ring the company, letting them know you have proof you've paid. They'll probably ask you to send them a copy of the proof. Dont send the original!