How to get off the WP

Elvisia

I didn't tell them I was working as I signed off without getting a job, and had decided to just live on what was left of my savings rather than jump through their hoops. I started up my own business and I have clients now, and the last thing I wanted was the WP asking for their details to check I am getting work from them. I wasn't sure if it was a good idea for the WP to know I am working, otherwise I might never get rid of them as they'll want their 14k or whatever they get for someone being in work for 2 years?

I have already rung them, spoken to my old advisor, the local branch, even head office, and they go "OK we'll amend your notes" and then I get another call asking me what I think I am playing at by not attending or another s*dding letter telling me to come to appointment! They must not actually sanction people's benefits as they've been threatening me for a year now, and still the letters come whereas you'd think they would have sanctioned my non-existent benefits and realised I had signed off! Waaaaaaah!

scooby088

They only advise the JC if you haven't attended and the JC sanction you, you don't need to inform the WP where or what you are doing for work or even given any numbers to them. I signed off two months ago and haven't heard a thing off my old provider. I would ignore the letters, but if they call I would say something along the lines of due to client confidentiality I would never give you their details.

I would also speak to the centre manager of the work provider failing that I'd go straight to the chief executive of the organisation too.

szam_

As you've stated yourself, they've been at it a year, if they were going to Sanction, even if they could, which they can't, they'd have done it by now.

Just another outsourced company with a false sense of power.

Elvisia

I think another letter is in order to everyone I can think of - the problem is it costs so much in stamps to send them all off and I get narked at having to spend anything at all on them! I have been trying to ring them all morning on the number provided - but no one is answering.

The problem is when they call they don't say "I am calling from SEETEC, can I check xyz" the last call was "Is that [my name]" "Yes" "Where are you? What do you think you're playing at?" "Who the hell is this?" "I'm calling from SEETEC Head Office" and I was with a client at the time, so it was super embarrassing. I always think it's some scam call, and it just riles me!

I do wonder though how long you can go before they did sanction you, if I were still on JSA.

Elvisia

Just an update on this - I took everyone's advice and I assumed the matter was over. Thank you for everyone who took the time to comment.

However, this morning my mother got a phone call from SEETEC, apparently they have now employed someone to help clear up the mess as the woman from SEETEC said there had been so many formal complaints against SEETEC she was going through people's files and seeing at what stage they were at.

My mother said I wasn't on that number and the woman should contact me directly. This lady then proceeds to read off all the details on my SEETEC file, telling her all my private details about my benefits. She then said my mother must tell her if I was in work, as it would help my case. My mother, thank god, said again to talk to me as she was nothing to do with it.

The only way SEETEC could have got my mother's phone number is when I put down my mother as next of kin in case of emergency. I did not give out that number as a contact number. I assume this completely breaks the Data Protection Act, as she told my mother all my personal details. My mum said this lady was 'ever so nice' and she kept saying it was in my best interests for my mum to say I was in employment. I can only assume this is their way of collecting their fee for getting me back in employment?

I have written again to my MP and asked him to step in this time and speak to them again. It sounds as though they are already a pile of complaints against them. I have already informed them to remove all my personal details from their files, and that I do not give my consent for them to collect a fee if I get into work. To ring up my mother to try to get her to say I am in work seems unbelievably underhand and sneaky. I thank god my mother got to the phone first and not my father, he has dementia and could have said anything, we know that he's talking rubbish but SEETEC could have taken it as gospel.

I am absolutely fuming.

juanmanuelmarquez

WP can be a bunch of idiots, i remember when i got a full time job, they kept harrasing me and i still dont know what for? the funny thing was i had a job, but i was unable to use my phone, my phone was in my locker and each time they would phone i couldnt answer so they would send texts/letters through the post, its like ive got job stop pestering me!!! yet these coaches get paid 18k a year believe it or not! now you know where our tax payers money is going and these companies are getting fat and rich of the government and the people on low incomes are suffering! we know where the goverments money is going, and yet all benefits are getting cut and more tax is added! the panroma was a prime example of whats going on!

your better off, ringing in and make an official complaint to the managing director or branch supervisor, they should be able handle it!