Duplicate tax rebates?

ilovemorrissey

Hi all, wondering if you could help me on this one.


I moved house in November of last year, and informed HMRC. I was told that I was not due any for of tax rebate so left it at that.

Then in June, I received a letter and tax calculation saying I was owed two tax rebates for 2006/7 2007/8 (when I was a student) for roughly 240 pounds and that a cheque would follow. During this period I moved to London, and again informed HMRC of my change of addeess

I then received a letter on 14th August saying I was due a rebate of £522 for 2008/9 (which I assume would also include the amount carried over from previous years), which included a cheque. As I'd only been on a friends sofa in London, I planned to use this money to fund my deposit to move out as well as be able to live for the month! I then moved and cashed the cheque last tuesday, it showed as available funds in my account on Thursday.

However I found out yesterday that the money went back out on Friday, as if the cheque had been cancelled by HMRC! I then looked at my historical internet banking and realised I'd received the exact same amount roughly 18 months ago...although I havent spoken to them yet (and it could be a coincidence, although I doubt it) my quesitons are as follows:

1. Has anyone else ever received a duplicate cheque from HMRC almost a year and a half after they had cashed the original?

2. Is there anything I can do in order to get some kind of compensation as I was also told countless times over the phone that I was due a rebate, and have used the money I received in good faith that I was entitled to it?

3. Are HMRC allowed to mail me a cheque on the 14th, then cancel it without informing me?

Cheers!