Overpaid tax credit

123montysweets

Hi, I received a letter for HMRC27.10.15 stating that myself and my partner (separated in Sept 09) had been overpaid working and child tax credit in 2004 to 2005. I was completely unaware of this before receiving this letter. My ex has also received same letter. He tried to appeal but they said he couldn't.
It has now been handed to debt collection agency.
In the letter they state that they have written before but they haven't. Are they allowed to do this. I am heavily in debt and cannot afford to pay £3201.35 that is the half of the overall overpayment they say they made.
I always filled in tax credit forms with information from payslips and P60.s completely accurately and honestly so have no idea why they overpaid in the first place, if in fact they did.
I still receive tax credit as a single parent for my son who lives at home with me.
Please help. What can I do?

Wizzbang

Go to see the CAB ASAP. I don't know the law, but that seems a very old debt to try and be collecting. I don't know how it worked back in 2004/05 but in the past 5 years, if they have overpaid us- they have automatically reduced our payments the next year to collect it. You need legal advice fast.