Help please. Csa issue.

Jimmy_Beard

Hi all.

I have an issue with the CSA office. It's easier to bullet point the facts. I would really appreciate any advice, anyone who has or is dealing with the CSA will know how frustrating it is to get anywhere with them.

• Back end of 2009, CSA state I owed money from May 04 -Sep 05 , approx £3.5k
• I was during that period working and paying via standing order from my bank.
• In April 2005 I left work to undertake a new venture and was not in receipt of income, so continued to pay the standing order from my savings (as I thought it best to continue)
• In Sep 05 as part of a general conversation with them I mentioned not being in receipt of income since April 05, they told me over the phone to stop paying, so I did.
• Years later they state they never received the money for that period.
• I had to contact my bank for historical statements, which they gave me, I could see all the payments each month for the period in question going out, yet they could not tell me where the standing order went to (sort code/account number) so I was kind of knackered. All I needed was them (Halifax/Bank of Scotland) to go into archive and tell confirm it hand gone the CSA, or my ex-partners account. This is something they cannot do !!! apparantly.
• This fell on deaf ears at the CSA, they stated if my Bank could write to them with the details and confirming the money was sent to their sort code/account number, then they would refund me.
• I spoke to my ex-wife, and enlightenened her to the situation, thinking perhaps the CSA had got my money, and there was no reference on my transaction, therefore it was sitting on their ledger somewhere, and she was owed the £3.5k. Before I even mentioned dates to her, she piped in with 'You stopped paying me in Sep 2005' when the CSA to you to, therefore she had got the money (she does not miss a trick when it comes to cash)
• She agreed to call the CSA at tell them this part, yet they hold no recored of the conversation, and she states she did call them to try and help, and they told her not to get involved (unsure who to believe here)
• So for 8 months I have been paying double the payments to cover the supposed missed payments from 5 years ago, circa £465.00 p.c.m. They are taking it direct from my employer as this is the best way of keeping track of it.
• I need to try and prove where my standing order payments went in 04/05.
• Can I try and give the Bank a bigger kick up the backside to find out, or call the CSA and get them to order my ex-wife to speak to her bank for that period and see if the statements show the same amounts going into her a/c as leaving mine.
• I cannot recall, but perhaps I paid her directly for the time period, and should have paid the CSA, therefore on their system there is a gap, and my ex-wife is keeping quiet, and she is getting paid all over again.

Sorry it sounds like a rant, it probably is, but I am so frustrated with the CSA. All help appreciated, thanks in advance.

Jim.

bdt1

If I were you I would request (in writing) your Data Protection File, to include all telephone calls, NACSA have a template and it will cost you £10. Send it recorded delivery, and keep print off of barcode from Royal Mail as proof they received it. You should gt your file within 40 days - I say should, this is the CSA

It may be that the call and discussion you had are included in your DP File somewhere

May be worth getting in touch with your MP, some are more helpful than others

bdt1

Just a thought but maybe your ex could dredge up some of her old bank statements for the period you are concerned about, as surely any credits would show on her bank account as CSA credits. Suppose just depends how friendly she is with you

lallychops

I'm pretty sure the csa would take her word for it if she told them you had paid her directly - they were happy enough to take my word on odd cash "catch up" payments made to me by my ex for the purposes of re assessment. Sounds a little bit like she is a bit too happy to collect twice....

kelloggs36

You may have to pay the bank, but they should easily be able to trace your payments - I would push for this first.