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terrified, please someone help!!!

bundance
bundance Posts: 1,114 Forumite
Part of the Furniture 500 Posts Combo Breaker
in Benefits & tax credits
I used to be on income support and get free prescription charges.
In 2006 my circumstances changed, and for a few months I erroneously claimed free prescription charges. It was a genuine error.
In 2006 I wrote and advised of this, and sent a letter with supporting letters from my GP and mental health care coordinator, reporting the error.
I did not get a reply.
In boots the chemist today, I was told that I could face prison or a hefty fine.

I am prepared of course to pay the prescription charges I didnt pay, but I tried to ring my nhs trust but could not get through.

I will try again tomorrow, am I likely to go to prison or face a hefty fine?
I would like someone to allay my fears please.


*Edited to add, I have looked at the original letter I sent and it says that I should have been paying since May 2006.
My income support stopped in February 2006, so the original letter I sent to the Counter Fraud office is wrong. Now there are two errors.

Please someone help me, I am really worried, after what the woman in boots the chemist said today.

thanks
«134567

Comments

  • sp1987
    sp1987 Posts: 907 Forumite
    If you told them about the error when you knew...then you acted in good faith. Nobody will want to put somebody honest in prison or punish them. Everybody makes mistakes and the fact you have already told them the problem means you do not want to scam anybody :)
  • alwaysonthego_2
    alwaysonthego_2 Posts: 8,432 Forumite
    1,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    Bundance as I have told you previously you won't go to prison!
  • bundance
    bundance Posts: 1,114 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 500 Posts Combo Breaker
    sp1987 wrote: »
    If you told them about the error when you knew...then you acted in good faith. Nobody will want to put somebody honest in prison or punish them. Everybody makes mistakes and the fact you have already told them the problem means you do not want to scam anybody :)
    i've discovered another error since, though, see below
    *Edited to add, I have looked at the original letter I sent and it says that I should have been paying since May 2006.
    My income support stopped in February 2006, so the original letter I sent to the Counter Fraud office is wrong. Now there are two errors.


    Alwaysonthego

    I know I wont go to prison over my other threads I posted on this board, but what is worrying me is the thing the pharmacist in boots the chemist said today. She definitely said, large fine, or prison. This is the reason why I am posting this thread.
  • alwaysonthego_2
    alwaysonthego_2 Posts: 8,432 Forumite
    1,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    bundance wrote: »
    i've discovered another error since, though, see below




    Alwaysonthego

    I know I wont go to prison over my other threads I posted on this board, but what is worrying me is the thing the pharmacist in boots the chemist said today. She definitely said, large fineor prison. This is the reason why I am posting this thread.
    You still will not go to prison as your intent was not to defraud the NHS but was a genuine oversight. As you have said before you have got your gp's and mental support worker's support.
  • nearlyrich
    nearlyrich Posts: 13,698 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Combo Breaker Hung up my suit!
    Did you carry on claiming to be entitled to free prescriptions after you knew you were not entitled?
    Free impartial debt advice from: National Debtline or Stepchange[/CENTER]
  • dmg24
    dmg24 Posts: 33,920 Forumite
    10,000 Posts
    bundance, I used to work for the Prescription Pricing Authority. always is correct, they only prosecute in large scale fraud cases. They will not prosecute you.
    Gone ... or have I?
  • alwaysonthego_2
    alwaysonthego_2 Posts: 8,432 Forumite
    1,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    nearlyrich wrote: »
    Did you carry on claiming to be entitled to free prescriptions after you knew you were not entitled?
    nearlyrich, the poster has a serious mental illness and we should tread carefully.

    I think it was a genuine oversight.
  • bundance
    bundance Posts: 1,114 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 500 Posts Combo Breaker
    dmg24 wrote: »
    bundance, I used to work for the Prescription Pricing Authority. always is correct, they only prosecute in large scale fraud cases. They will not prosecute you.
    Should I still phone up to disclose the errors.
    ps what do you mean by 'always is correct'
    thanks
  • BeenieCat
    BeenieCat Posts: 6,567 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture Combo Breaker
    He means the poster, 'alwaysonthego' is correct, in that you will not go to prison.
  • bestpud
    bestpud Posts: 11,048 Forumite
    bundance wrote: »
    Should I still phone up to disclose the errors.
    ps what do you mean by 'always is correct'
    thanks

    She means the poster 'alwaysonthego' was correct when she said you won't go to prison.
This discussion has been closed.
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