DWP requesting repayment over salary overpay

zudecke

Hi guys,

I left my previous employer (DWP, Job Centre Plus) back in Aug 2009 and received a letter some months later requesting I "repay £176.44" in salary that was overpaid" to me..

I ignored the letter and several afterward and they are now threatening me with legal action.

Just wondering how this could adversely effect my credit rating?

If so, I'll pay it and be done with it. However, I do feel strongly that this was a massive !!!! up on their behalf as I believe that their calculation is incorrect, but would never be able to find the time or access the resources needed to dispute that.

Wondering if anyone has any advice?

Probably inviting myself to criticism and scorn from some of the MSE community, but hey-ho!

Regards,

Z

bobajob_1966

So you'd rather get a CCJ than spend half an hour checking the calculation?

zudecke

No, I'd rather pay it than get a CCJ lol..

I don't have my payslips.. They were never sent out or given to us.. Just accessible online and I never had enough printer credits to print them..

bobajob_1966

zudecke wrote: »

No, I'd rather pay it than get a CCJ lol..

I don't have my payslips.. They were never sent out or given to us.. Just accessible online and I never had enough printer credits to print them..

Is there anything stopping you calling them to ask for the information? It appears that you are being difficult for the sake of it, and it is not going to get you anywhere.

ohreally

Obtain a detailed breakdown - does the alleged overpayment figure include provision for any pension payment made, what about statutory deductions (tax/ ni), have they taken this into account?

zudecke

Okay good call. I'll give them a ring and request such information.

LadyMissA

They would have sent you a statement to show how they have calculated this?

zudecke

Nope, no statement.

Sambucus_Nigra

You need to write back, requesting a breakdown of what they think you owe, with a calc of what they paid against what they think they should have paid.

Whilst you are at it, in order for you to see whether this ties up with your wages paid and your tax/ni - you need copies of your payslips that you didn't print at the time due to not having enough access/credits for the printer.

DVardysShadow

zudecke wrote: »

Okay good call. I'll give them a ring and request such information.

No, don't ring, write. As the requests are becoming more insistent, this could eventually go to court. If you ring and they ignore you, you are in a weak position to claim that you asked for the information and it was never sent. If you write and get proof of posting, then firstly they are more likely to send you information and secondly you have evidence to claim that they had done nothing to justify their claim.