Repayment of tax Credits never claimed and never recieved

molit

Hi,

I am sitting here not knowing what to do, as I have just received a letter, forwarded from my parents address (I last lived there over 6 years ago) asking/telling me to repay £1780 in working tax credit, and £3251 Child tax credit. I have never claimed for either - I dont even have kids, and have been in fully paid employment for the 6 years I've been away - beofre that I was a student. There is no way I can owe this money. I have spoken to the number on the top of the letter, but they said I had to write to an address in preston. What do I do, my parents still live at the address, but I have had nothing registered there (not even a blockbuster card) since I moved out. I havent receieved anything at my new address.

Very simply, help

Voyager2002

This is clearly a case of identity fraud. Someone has used your name and your parent's address to claim all that money.

I think that you should visit your local police station, and you should certainly write to the address in Preston.

skylight

Grab a couple of credit reports ASAP and see if there is anything else on them. You need to disassociate yourself on your file as well as the police etc.

Best of luck, but act fast. Real fast.

Astaroth

Personally I would write to the address you have been given. Whilst it may be a case of identity fraud it can also be a simple error on behalf of the benefits agency.

Given they believe it is you you could also write to their data protection officer and request a copy of your file which will include the details of the bank account it was paid into/ details of the claim etc.

molit

right,

finally managed to get through to the right person I think at the agency, and they are now looking into it. After I pointed out that I have worked full time for the past (too many years to mention) and dont admit to having any children, they performed a few quick checks, regarding who my bank account was with etc, and they said dont worry about it, although we might need to speak to you later on.

Checked my credit file for my address and there is nothing at this address, and nothing related to me from what I can see at my parents. Might just be a quirk of their system, as the middle names didnt match up.

Thanks everyone for your help...think a large chocolate cake might be in order

Astaroth

ohhhh and i am on a diet too