WTC - Hijacked - £2000+ lost - Help please

jay1001

I was in receipt of WTC during 2007, on changing jobs in September 2007 I notified WTC immediately, and they said that I was no longer entitled to WTC. OK I was happy with that.

Struggling with finances in early July 2008 I checked my eligibility and found that I was in fact entitled to approx £15 per week (single 50 plus female working 30 hrs).

Rang WTC and made a claim. This is where the fun starts.

They agreed that I was entitled. I advised them of a change of bank account. It then transpired that when I informed them of my change of employment (back in September 2007) my WTC account had been highjacked and over £2000 had been paid to me into a Post Office account apparently in my name - I have never had a bank account with the Post Office, obviously, I knew nothing of this.

On 17th July 2008 the case was sent to Head Office who have subsequently sent on to Organised Fraud in Bathgate - I telephone WTC most days to get an update (cannot get contact info for Head Office or Bathgate) - firstly worried about my personal details, and identity fraud and then to establish whether or not I am actually entitled to the £2000+ which has been paid to someone else.

On one occasion I did manage to speak to a manager but unfortunately, whenever I ring they are unable to locate him.

I am making daily visits to my online bank account to check the transactions and all OK.

WTC have confirmed that I am entitled to the £2000+ but cannot/will not say when I might receive this - latest comment was - "it will not take a year" when pressed for timescale.

Is there anything I can do to get them to commit to when I might receive the money.

Thanks in advance for any advice.

jay1001

Does anyone have any advice - who to contact etc.

Does anyone have a WTC Head Office Telephone number or Fraud Department number.

Please any advice would be greatly received

Thank you

SuziQ

I hope someone can answer you. I'm having trouble understanding as you say you weren't entitled to WFTC but then that £2,000 of WFTC has been taken from your account.The only way I have managed to get a quick answer about problems with CTC or WFTC has been to go through my MP-apparently they have their own hotline for complaints and out local MP (Andrew Rosindale) is very keen and helpful (at the moment!)

heather8

You need to make a formal complaint in writig to the Tax Credit Office. In te complaint you need to explain and give dates and times of phone calls you have made to them in the past, if you have them.

Advise them that a copy has been sent to your MP, and send a copy with covering letter to your MP.

Hopefully within the month, everything should be sorted out and all monies paid to you that should be.

Don't mess around with phone calls, you'lljust get passed from piller to post.

If you go onto the HMRC website, you will find a leaflet called how to complain.

Regardless of where the money has gone, they will give you everything you are due, and will trace the culprit, who has stolen the money.

Good luck.

jay1001

Thank you Heather8 - I will follow your advice.
Thanks again

jay1001

Also thanks to SuziQ

SuziQ

Hope you get a quick result jay!