MSE News: Single parents sent 'threatening' letters demanding proof they live alone

Sylvia1

Received a letter today and I felt disgusted by them saying they have information that there may be another adult living with me. I'm a single parent and live with my child. I would like to see the information they have about me if this is the case. I'd like them to disclose all the information they have on me under the Data Protection Act including the adult living with me.

sangie595

Sylvia1 wrote: »

Received a letter today and I felt disgusted by them saying they have information that there may be another adult living with me. I'm a single parent and live with my child. I would like to see the information they have about me if this is the case. I'd like them to disclose all the information they have on me under the Data Protection Act including the adult living with me.

I don't see what you are disgusted about. They have said there MAY be someone else living at the same address. So they are asking the question, and all you have to do is show them that there is only you and your child. If you claim benefits, then there are checks that have to be made. If you don't want them to check into your living circumstances, you are free to cease claiming benefits.

dippy3103

Sylvia1 wrote: »

Received a letter today and I felt disgusted by them saying they have information that there may be another adult living with me. I'm a single parent and live with my child. I would like to see the information they have about me if this is the case. I'd like them to disclose all the information they have on me under the Data Protection Act including the adult living with me.

Why are you so disgusted? They have had this information about you and are asking you about it. What would you prefer they do?

Darksparkle

Sylvia1 wrote: »

I'd like them to disclose all the information they have on me under the Data Protection Act including the adult living with me.

Then ask them to. Won't make any odds to them.

Don't see why you are disgusted. People lie. And until they stop checks will need to be done whether you are being truthful or not.

NellyC_2

I have received one of these letters, I have posted all the documentation requested only to receive a letter stating that I haven't responded.
I called immediately but their systems were down, called back the next day - on hold for 42 minutes waiting to speak with them. Apparently all the evidence I sent hasn't been received.
They have evidence that another lady lives with me, she is actually a lady who rented my house before me and left leaving debt everywhere, obviously she hasn't provided anyone with a forwarding address, I only know this because of the bailiffs who have knocked on the door and sent letters to "the occupier".
Concentrix won't tell me what evidence they have that she lives here and it's up to me to prove she doesn't, easier said than done.
My tax credits will stop next month and I don't know how I'm going to pay my rent and live without them, I am going out of my mind.
I don't want to send sensitive infirmation to them again as they lost it first time around and I can't honestly see how my payslips and bank statements prove that I'm a single parent?????
This woman who I've never met is making my life a living hell, I just want to leave this house but I don't have anywhere else to go.
I have hospital appointments looming and don't need this stress, my oncologist has advised me to avoid stressful situations as much as possible
How do I remove this woman's association with this house and me????

Darksparkle

NellyC wrote: »

I have received one of these letters, I have posted all the documentation requested only to receive a letter stating that I haven't responded.
I called immediately but their systems were down, called back the next day - on hold for 42 minutes waiting to speak with them. Apparently all the evidence I sent hasn't been received.
They have evidence that another lady lives with me, she is actually a lady who rented my house before me and left leaving debt everywhere, obviously she hasn't provided anyone with a forwarding address, I only know this because of the bailiffs who have knocked on the door and sent letters to "the occupier".
Concentrix won't tell me what evidence they have that she lives here and it's up to me to prove she doesn't, easier said than done.
My tax credits will stop next month and I don't know how I'm going to pay my rent and live without them, I am going out of my mind.
I don't want to send sensitive infirmation to them again as they lost it first time around and I can't honestly see how my payslips and bank statements prove that I'm a single parent?????
This woman who I've never met is making my life a living hell, I just want to leave this house but I don't have anywhere else to go.
I have hospital appointments looming and don't need this stress, my oncologist has advised me to avoid stressful situations as much as possible
How do I remove this woman's association with this house and me????

HMRC can only ask for paperwork to prove you are single. They aren't going to sit outside your house or come in and have a look.

Payslips and bank statements can show you are single for example it will show your pay and how that pay and benefits are enough for you to pay your bills etc. It will show if someone else is contributions to your bank account or if there are bills ring paid by someone else.

How do you know they lost it and not Royal Mail? Did they say they'd received it then lost it? Or did you send it recorded delivery and Royal Mail confirmed it was received?

Do you still get letters for this person? Do you return them to show that she no longer lives there?

NYM

Ask your LL/Agent to confirm that the previous tenant no longer lives in the property.

Send any documents requested by *signed for* service.

boro79

I had a letter in Jan 2015 it took till end of march for them to close the case. I'v recently had my child tax credits stopped by HMRC they don't believe i live alone i had to send tenancy utility bills and other documents but they decided i hadn't sent enough proof. They now want last years payments back, so far i owe £1162. Im still waiting on my 1st esa payment so for the last 3 weeks i have had £48a week to feed 3 children. Im not allowed help from my local council support as this is a compliance matter.

emsywoo123

NYM wrote: »

Ask your LL/Agent to confirm that the previous tenant no longer lives in the property.

I had the same situation, they decided previous tenant of 18 months ago might still be here, I offered them Landlord letter etc but they would not accept, I had to do the whole catalogue of paperwork!