claiming 10 y old r overpaynent

georgiesmum

I have reciveved a letter from a debt collecting agency about overpayment on jobseekers allowance 10 years ago. This is the first i have heard of this, nobody has been in contact, ever, wirh me and i certainly didn't realise that i was overpaid. I have been working for 10 years and don't claim any benifits apart from £10 a week working tax credit.
I am angry that it has come straight from a debt collection as i am meticulous about paying my debts. Why did they not wite to me direct and can they claim this after so long?

pmlindyloo

georgiesmum wrote: »

I have reciveved a letter from a debt collecting agency about overpayment on jobseekers allowance 10 years ago. This is the first i have heard of this, nobody has been in contact, ever, wirh me and i certainly didn't realise that i was overpaid. I have been working for 10 years and don't claim any benifits apart from £10 a week working tax credit.
I am angry that it has come straight from a debt collection as i am meticulous about paying my debts. Why did they not wite to me direct and can they claim this after so long?

First of all, yes they can claim after so long.

The debt is statute barred (you cannot be taken to court for it) but they do have other means of enforcement including detachment of earnings without going to court.

Have you changed address during the last ten years?

The only thing I can suggest is that you write with a Subject Access request.

http://ico.org.uk/for_the_public/personal_information

missapril75

georgiesmum wrote: »

Why did they not wite to me direct?

I believe they will have done. It usually only gets that far after they get no responses to their attempts or no co-operation. It's an expensive way to recover money and is kind of a last resort.

georgiesmum

missapril75 wrote: »

I believe they will have done. It usually only gets that far after they get no responses to their attempts or no co-operation. It's an expensive way to recover money and is kind of a last resort.

I hade had absoulutly no ides that this was oweing.Never had a letter from them, Never changed address, They could easily have taken it from my wages as i beleve they can do this. I have worked for the same firm for 10 years. Only me in the house.
If i had been ignoring letters for 10 years would i have been on here asking for help?
Thank you for your input anyway