Former employer overpaid me...confused

MickDundee

This may be in the wrong forum, so apology's first.
My old employer had apparently over paid me while I was on a career break in Canada. They had my email address and phone number to contact me of any issues, but I heard nothing. When I returned to the UK I was made aware I had been overpaid, but it wasn't from my former employers, it was through friends, and even strangers, who would come up to me asking me about it.
So in short people outside of the managers office were told something private and confidential about me, this then led to Chinese whispers, and hundreds of people knowing...except me.

I'm now in Australia working, and then will be moving onto New Zealand and then hopefully the USA and Canada again in a year or two.

Apparently a letter from a debt collection agency was posted to my parents address, I don't know why as they don't have my parents address on their systems, at the time I worked there, I was living somewhere else. So now I'm confused and worried.

Ive advised my parents to put "not at this address" and return it to sender. Will they have bailiffs or debt collectors knocking on their door? Will I face the possibility of going to court,jail etc Can my passport be blocked?

I'm no expert in these situations, so hoping somebody with some knowledge of these situations can offer some advice. If they need to no more, just ask and I will answer any questions they may have.

If it also helps, if I returned to the UK id have no job, living address, or any property or savings, would this be a factor if a court issue etc was issued?

Xbigman

The first thing is to establish if you were in fact overpaid. Contact your old employer and ask for a detailed breakdown of why and how much.

In the meantime I'm surprised debt collectors are chasing you over this. Unless the overpayment was significant. Seems strange.
As for what they can do to you, if you are out of the country they can't do anything. Nor can they do anything to your parents (who should continue sending all mail back 'not at this address'). However, you might need a reference from them for a future job so maybe I'd try paying the money back but try to avoid going through the debt collectors. Tell your ex employers you wont deal with the debt collectors because they breached confidentiality and told neighbours and friends.
Regards


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