Income support paid into wrong account :(

MeShellxx

I am experiencing a similar problem. I have recently found myself a single parent with a 6year old and I am pregnant. I applied for Invome Support via telephone and the Op has incorrectly entered my bank account details by 2 digits.

Now because I signed the papers the job centre told me to "sign here" I have agreed to this wrong bank account, genuine mistake. DWP will not trace or recall the payment as it is "my fault" and I need to take it up with my bank yet my bank (coop) have advised they can not do anything due to data protection . They said if they even had a letter from IS or DWP stating what happened they can then inform customer. But DWP will not even write a letter. So no one will do anything and my 3months back pay money is left for someone else because of a genuine mistake and there is nothing I can do about it.

I am so stressed over all of this it is so unfair

karenx

To be fair you really should of checked all info was correct before signing

Louise03

Sorry I have no constructive advice for you only sympathy. I had a banking error recently, £500 withdrawn from my account and debited to another persons account the bank Santander swiftly dealt with it on my behalf. Hope you get your situation sorted. Surely they can contact the person who received YOUR money it's not like they are going to give you this persons details.

MeShellxx

I know I know it's an error but the fact that there is no way of retrieving my money seems mad! I was in the army for 6 years I then worked in sales for 2 year then had my first daughter and rather than sit on my bum I decided to do my A levels, which took 2years part time. I have literally this summer just graduated with a first class degree and then fell pregnant whilst had the coil fitted so firstly I am saddened to have to claim benefit but I am highly unlikely to get a job ATM so to struggle for months then have this happen and with no way of retrieving the money just seems unjust and wrong.
The bank said to me, if a payment had come from my bank (internally) they could do something but due to being external it is DWP that should do a trace on the cash then a recall. But as stated DWP will not do a thing now it's done and worst thing is I know what account number it is in and can not do a thing about it, it would seem!

I will read every fine detail in future and will not simply sign because I have been prompted to do so, lesson learned but still seems wrong to me.

SuziQ

If this happened to me, I would honestly contact the DWP and return the money-I hope that whoever received this is honest to make the retrieval easier for you. I wonder of it's worth you going to the CAB to see of they can do anything to help you sort this out? Maybe one of the DWP workers who post on here would have some advice for you, it may be worth you bouncing this back to the top until one of them replies.

MeShellxx

I e no idea really how this site works, came across it by chance today.

I went to CAB today they rang DWP spoke to a guy who told me I needed to fill in a QB42 form. I informed they guy via CAB lady that the DWP are saying it is my fault and he insisted it did not matter who's fault it was, if I could prove via QB42 form that I did not receive money it would be sorted. So I left CAB and WALKED into Newcastle to the bank, then had to go back to Gateshead to the job centre walking. Only to find out 3hrs later that this form does not help me with it being my fault. So wSte of time and effort.

I am considering going back to CABbut not tomorrow I can nit deal with the stress whilst pregnant, I need a calmer day than the last 3 . I also rang local MP and left my number to get a call back I dunno if this is the right thing to do I am just stuck as to which way to turn. :-s nightmare

Whiteknight

If you gave the wrong details regarding your bank details (or signed the form) then it is not really the fault of the DWP. You can hope that the money is returned to the DWP they will then be able to reissue it to you.

If you have the details of the account the money went into you might be able to ask the bank if they could forward a letter to the account holder for you - explaining the error.

LL30

I really feel for you, what an awful situation. I have to admit, I'm the kind of idiot (no offence!) that signs things went prompted (heaven knows what I've agreed to in my 30 years!) After reading your post, I just checked my IS application to make sure they had the correct details - not that I'm expecting any payment soon. So thank you, I think we've both learned something from this (albeit your lesson is a sh itty one, mine's more about stopping being a dim wit). I've not claimed before either, so it's all been a learning process for me, and I'm really hoping that it's a temporary measure (job int next week!)

Please look after yourself, pregnancy is difficult enough and stress isn't good for you (I know, you know, sorry, Mummy lecture brewing!) I'm just wondering if it's worth you applying for a crisis loan? I'm sure someone on here will advise as to whether you can or not (may be that because your benefits have been paid, even though you haven't received them, you won't be able to - but I'm not 100%) Have you got food etc? It might be worth getting in touch with your HV to see if she can source some support for you, whether that be food parcels or whatever.

I wish I had a magic wand for you x

MeShellxx

Hey, thanks for your replies and mostly kind words haha I am passed the hardest stage of financial strain (hence the lump sum was back pay) I struggled through and I will be ok. I'm just going to leave it, it's not worth the stress and agro. So, although I'm £246 quid down I have managed and will continue to do so, I wasn't a soldier for nothing . Feel much better today for thinking 'screw u' to the DWP and yes defiantly will NEVER trust another person who dictates "sign here" to me (incompetent sods) haha.. Awh well life goes on ey :-s xx