Tax credits office: 'phone or write?

scrimperjan

Having crossed swords with the Tax Credits office - I won't bore you with the full details but I have ended up £168 worse off and I know I was in the right,:mad: :mad: :mad: but it was all done on the telephone so I haven't any proof. I filled in the appeal form but they still insisted on me paying the money back, stating that 'you have no right of appeal against our decision' - so that's that, then! I have decided in the future I will communicate with them by letter instead so at least I can keep copies of all the correspondence. Has anyone else done this? They seem to encourage you to telephone rather than write with any changes in circumstances. On some occasions I have had completely opposing advice from different advisers on the 'phone, which I find very worrying.

ajstanley

Hi, they have telephone records of every call you make. I have recently appealed against a decision (and lost!), but they had a record of every call I made - and a recording! It may be worth asking them to check that. I always make phone calls but I usually take names, ext numbers etc., to note on the call. Everytime you ring you seem to get a different response to the same questions, so it is worth it. If you have lost your first stage appeal, you can ask for their code of practice leaflet which shows how to appeal further. It might be worth a go - i'm going to. Good luck

nogginthenog

If you write,dont forget recorded or special delivery only,and make copys of every letter and phone call .
The TCO helpline is the most unethical bunch of cowboys i have ever had course to do buisiness with.