Obliged to pay a bill from a year and a half ago?

Questioner

In September 2022, I received a message from a webshop for the first time that a payment from July 2021 had failed. Due to an error in their system, something had gone wrong; the request whether I could still pay the bill. Because I assumed that the bill had simply been paid at the time, I asked them for proof. They could not provide this due to 'the defect in the system'. As an alternative, they asked me to prove that I had paid the bill at the time. This could easily be done with a print screen of the paid bill. This feels like the world was turned upside down to me: they have a problem and now I have to prove them wrong. Can they ask this of me and am I still obliged to pay the bill after 1.5 years (whereby I have to believe them on their blue eyes)? I have now received a reminder (pay before June 9, 2023), so I have to do something about it now. Thank you in advance for your response

Lawyer

Good morning, In principle, a claim is payable for 5 years in most cases. The webshop can therefore call on you during that period to pay the amount. If you do not come with a payment confirmation, they will send you a reminder (which has apparently already happened). Then, a procedure will probably be started to claim the amount from you through legal proceedings. However, in that case, the webshop will have to prove as the claimant that you have not paid. According to your story, that could be difficult. Practically speaking, it is more in your interest not to let it get that far and to show that you have paid by means of a proof of purchase/transfer, so that legal proceedings can be averted. Since the judge will have to make a decision in the event of a lawsuit, there is always the chance (however small) that you will be proven wrong. In that case, you will have to bear the costs of the lawsuit and the legal costs of the other party. If you would like to discuss your case further, please feel free to contact us without obligation. Gr, Mr. S. Leito FerLei Legal 06-49175526