Customer reversed bank transfer

[JCSPLUMBING]

Hi. Finished a bathroom last week. All went great and looked great. However the customer couldn't pay me for at least 3-4 days later for financial reasons in not sure of. So they eventually paid me and then yesterday noticed that the payment has been reversed. I thought bank transfers were safe? I've contacted them and they are now saying the toilet is leaking around the bottom of the pan and are not happy. I asked why not call me first but they are acting very shifty and wont pay me back the money. I've contacted my bank as I never authorised this payment and as far as I'm concerned it's theft to take my money. What are my options as I've never been in this situation before?
Thanks

 

[Masood]

I also thought that bank transfers were non-reversible, even if you mistakenly typed the wrong account number in.

This is worrying! What have your bank said?

 

[JCSPLUMBING]

They have frozen my details and fraud team are on it. I'm the meantime I'm over 3 grand down. Surely I'm safe as I never authorised it?

 

[hammers4spanner]

I had someone who owed me money and accidentally put it into the wrong account of a n other.

When we chatted about it he said you get a window say 6 weeks or whatever to make the claim back, maybe something like this??

 

[Masood]

you get a window say 6 weeks or whatever to make the claim back, maybe something like this??

I never knew that! Bloody hell, it's like every which way you look at it, there's a way for unscrupulous customers to screw small businesses over. I always tell people I prefer BACS transfers as cheques can be cancelled and card payments reversed. Now even BACS isn't safe..

JCS - keep us informed please mate? Would be good to know how the bank deals with this.

 

[JCSPLUMBING]

Will do masood. I'm going into branch today as I hate waiting on hold. I've cancelled work today to sort this mess out as my head wouldn't be into it anyway. I was sure have BACS was safe also

 

[hammers4spanner]

I never knew that! Bloody hell, it's like every which way you look at it, there's a way for unscrupulous customers to screw small businesses over. I always tell people I prefer BACS transfers as cheques can be cancelled and card payments reversed. Now even BACS isn't safe..

JCS - keep us informed please mate? Would be good to know how the bank deals with this.

From what i recall my customer contacted his bank said he transferred money into wrong account . I think the bank themselves took money back so i would imagine JCS your bank would know if your customer is trying this route.

 

[ShaunCorbs]

Yep they can the only safe method these days is cash sorry to say

 

[JCSPLUMBING]

Just been into branch and they have found out what's going on. The client has basically said that payment has been made in error and that £330 should of been paid and not £3300. My bank has disputed this and claim that it was in fact correct the first time. My funds should be in my account by the end of today. Client will not answer the phone to me. Once money has been refunded back to me it will get withdrawn and a visit to the client will be order to demand answers.

 

[Plumbstar Tom]

This is so bad, you'd have sorted a leaking toilet out if it was your error/supply and they called

Glad to hear the bank sounds like they are on your side

 

[Ch4 plumbing]

Just been into branch and they have found out what's going on. The client has basically said that payment has been made in error and that £330 should of been paid and not £3300. My bank has disputed this and claim that it was in fact correct the first time. My funds should be in my account by the end of today. Client will not answer the phone to me. Once money has been refunded back to me it will get withdrawn and a visit to the client will be order to demand answers.

Just turn up sweet as pie and offer to fix the leak:wink:

Bet they have the right a hole when they find you have the full money back, some people will try anything!!

 

[oz-plumber]

Just been into branch and they have found out what's going on. The client has basically said that payment has been made in error and that £330 should of been paid and not £3300. My bank has disputed this and claim that it was in fact correct the first time. My funds should be in my account by the end of today. Client will not answer the phone to me. Once money has been refunded back to me it will get withdrawn and a visit to the client will be order to demand answers.

Just hold on until the money is in your account.
Then once it is - forget the customer.

Things will only go pear shaped if you confront the customer - and probably to your detriment.

 

[WaterTight]

You could easily have an account just to receive BACS and then immediately transfer them into your real account. Reverse that, bitches!

 

[WaterTight]

Oh and sounds like the WC won't be leaking anyway, just chancers.

 

[oz-plumber]

Oh and sounds like the WC won't be leaking anyway, just chancers.

They're not chancers,

Pre meditated, deliberate actions.
They had it planned all along.

They will find out that defrauding banks will end you up in more trouble than a hell of a lot of other more serious crimes.

 

[JCSPLUMBING]

I just hope that it works out. What happens if the money isn't there? Will they still refund it to me? Shouldn't have to feel this way about work and if customer is going to pay or not

 

[oz-plumber]

I just hope that it works out. What happens if the money isn't there? Will they still refund it to me? Shouldn't have to feel this way about work and if customer is going to pay or not

Welcome to the real world.

I assume you quote the job
You have an invoice and a payment into you bank account for the invoice amount.

Worst case - get a Lawyer and send all your info to the client.
If they don't pay - get a Judge to decide... and on top of the invoice they will have to pay all legal expenses - for both sides.

As stated earlier - these are tried and tested scammers.
They are waiting for you to turn up at their doorstep and have a go at them.
They want you to do that and traumatise them so the police will drag you away - not them.

Once that happens, you will be 'character assassinated ' in court.

Give it a day or two and then speak to the Bank and a Lawyer if the money doesn't come through...The Bank may be able to assist you if you play your cards right.
Keep the Bank on your side

 

[hammers4spanner]

If they don't have the money to pay the full amount then how are you going to get your money??

I am chasing a couple hundred at the moment and the general advice i have had is if you can afford it then write it off ,to chase your money the legal way can be a joke for small businesses .

The lads i chatted to who went to court said it was never worth it . they agree a payment deal and ultimately fail it because they have no money.Then a few months later you still chase payment .The impression i have is that its a complete joke of a system.

 

[JCSPLUMBING]

Welcome to the real world.

I assume you quote the job
You have an invoice and a payment into you bank account for the invoice amount.

Worst case - get a Lawyer and send all your info to the client.
If they don't pay - get a Judge to decide... and on top of the invoice they will have to pay all legal expenses - for both sides.

As stated earlier - these are tried and tested scammers.
They are waiting for you to turn up at their doorstep and have a go at them.
They want you to do that and traumatise them so the police will drag you away - not them.

Once that happens, you will be 'character assassinated ' in court.

Give it a day or two and then speak to the Bank and a Lawyer if the money doesn't come through...The Bank may be able to assist you if you play your cards right.
Keep the Bank on your side

I didn't invoice them I just quoted and they accepted. They have a nice house,car etc and look and talk like they have money. I'm sure it will work itself out. I'm being extra cautious from here in in however. My dad has always had a problem with the banking system as a whole and warned me plenty of times about trusting people's word. Trouble is that you can't demand cash only as it's seen as a bad thing also.

 

[Chalked]

Why haven't you invoiced them? A court would not look in your favour if you didn't. Quickly do one, post date it, email, post one recorded deliverery and drop one off.