Payments Problem - am I breaking the law?

[gingerslove]

I recently bought something (mid-June) for a large sum of money and paid for the item over the telephone. At the time of purchase, the saleswoman told me that the PDQ machine was playing up and she wasn't sure if the payment had been authorised. I phoned my bank and they told me that the payment WAS authorised. The next day, the company phoned me and I went to their offices. The finance manager told me that their account was short the same amount that I was due to pay, as the receipts didn't add up and I explained what had happened the previous night so the Finance Manager then telephoned my bank, explained the situation and asked them to confirm that the funds had been paid. I spoke to the bank myself at that time and they confirmed my details then confirmed to the Finance Manager that the funds were taken as I gave the bank authorisation to speak to her. A few days ago, I logged on to my internet banking and noticed that the money had NOT been taken but I haven't said anything thinking that the company will contact me when they did their month end accounts but so far they haven't been in touch.

Is it my responsibility to pay, or theirs to take the money?

And if it's their's to take the money, at which point is it too late for them to claim the money, is there a statute of limitations?

Thanks in advance for any help.

[NORMANTHEDOG]

technically you are obtaining goods by deception,and that is a criminal offence.