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DWP 17 Year Old Crisis Loan "debt"
nazza1970
Posts: 1 Newbie
Good evening,
On Friday I received a letter from the DWP stating that I owed them £241 and I knew what the debt was for because they had contacted me previously.
A little shocked because
1. I was unaware of any debt
2. I have not received any communications from DWP
I contacted them to enquire. they informed me that the debt was for a Crisis Loan I apparantly received approx 17 years ago. I asked for proof because I do not remember taking any loans whist I was on Income Support to which the *coughs* Customer Assistant told me there was none but I would still have to pay. I then asked when the previously mentioned communication was to which he then said, they had sent letters to old addresses.
He then told me that I would have to contact the Benefit Fraud Hotline to inform that someone may have claimed this load in my name. This is an entirely plausible possibility as at the time I was living in a multiple occupancy house where we were no all exactly Lawyers, Doctors or Police Officers !!
My questions are:
1. Do they have to provide some sort of proof with my signature on it?
2. Can they send Balliffs to recover the 'debt'?
3. 17 years !!! Are they kidding ??
4. What can I do as I did not take this loan but the *coughs again* helpful and polite man at DWP Trafford wasn't exactly forthcoming with advice on what I can do?
I appreciate your time and advice that you may give.
On Friday I received a letter from the DWP stating that I owed them £241 and I knew what the debt was for because they had contacted me previously.
A little shocked because
1. I was unaware of any debt
2. I have not received any communications from DWP
I contacted them to enquire. they informed me that the debt was for a Crisis Loan I apparantly received approx 17 years ago. I asked for proof because I do not remember taking any loans whist I was on Income Support to which the *coughs* Customer Assistant told me there was none but I would still have to pay. I then asked when the previously mentioned communication was to which he then said, they had sent letters to old addresses.
He then told me that I would have to contact the Benefit Fraud Hotline to inform that someone may have claimed this load in my name. This is an entirely plausible possibility as at the time I was living in a multiple occupancy house where we were no all exactly Lawyers, Doctors or Police Officers !!
My questions are:
1. Do they have to provide some sort of proof with my signature on it?
2. Can they send Balliffs to recover the 'debt'?
3. 17 years !!! Are they kidding ??
4. What can I do as I did not take this loan but the *coughs again* helpful and polite man at DWP Trafford wasn't exactly forthcoming with advice on what I can do?
I appreciate your time and advice that you may give.
0
Comments
-
Remind them of their abandonment policy. Ask the CAB for help if need be.
http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showpost.php?p=43365766&postcount=780
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