DWP and Iqor

Nikki12

I have just had a person from Iqor call at my home stating that I owe the DWP £500. and wanting to know how I was going to pay.
The DWP contacted me 3yrs ago and said that I owed this money from 2003. When I telephoned them and asked what it was for they told me they did not know, but probably an overpayment of some kind! I asked then to send me proof that the money was owed, and details of what it was from. They agreed to do this, and I never heard anymore.
I told the person from Iqor this, but they were just interested in how I was goin to pay!!
They are now expecting me to phone them with bank details to pay monthly. What should I do.
Thanks.

Hopelessly_Hopeful

Nikki12 wrote: »

I have just had a person from Iqor call at my home stating that I owe the DWP £500. and wanting to know how I was going to pay.
The DWP contacted me 3yrs ago and said that I owed this money from 2003. When I telephoned them and asked what it was for they told me they did not know, but probably an overpayment of some kind! I asked then to send me proof that the money was owed, and details of what it was from. They agreed to do this, and I never heard anymore.
I told the person from Iqor this, but they were just interested in how I was goin to pay!!
They are now expecting me to phone them with bank details to pay monthly. What should I do.
Thanks.

Hi

Call DWP and quote your national insurance number and ask them to put in writing what the issue is.

Write to IQOR, insist on communications in writing.

Do not give any money at this stage.

It will be ok

HHx

Nikki12

Thanks Hopelessly, I will try that. I am really shocked that they
turn up on your doorstep and demand payment, with no proof of what they say you owe, and expect you to just pay up!!:eek:

fatbelly

We've had a few threads like this recently. If the DWP are genuinely owed money (overpayment or Social Fund loan), they have six years to commence court action, in line with other debts. You can extend that period by acknowledging the debt by payment or in writing but it sounds like you have not done that.

There is nothing to stop them taking a payment from a relevant benefit if you are in receipt of one, and could eventually take from your state pension.

But iQor are a debt collector subject to OFT guidance and if you tell them that, even if this is genuine, you are not paying as it is statute barred (try this letter), they must cease collection activity. DWP don't like this and appear to insist iQor continue. So we really do need a few of these cases to be referred to the Financial Ombudsman Service.