Concentrix - tax credits

RAP_2

Back in November I received the dreaded Concentrix letter. It stated that I had not responded to a letter they sent in October (which I didn't receive) and so my tax credits were being stopped. I got straigt on the phone to them so they changed the stopped payments to suspended whilst I sorted out all the paper work they were after.

They thought I was living with my ex-husband, which came as news to us and I am not sure how this would have gone down with his 2nd wife, but fortunately my ex was furious and very co-operative. Along with bills, mortgage details etc etc I also submitted copies of my ex's new marriage cert and council tax details.

Over a month later and I got all my stuff back along with the standard, we will get back to you letter. As this situation was crippling me financially, I gave them a ring and they told me that the supension has been lifted and my backdated tax credits will be with my within 48 hours, so it is all sorted.

The resons I am posting this is to give you all a bit of hope as I know how terrifying the whole thing is. I had absolutely nothing to hide, but I was still convinced it would not end well. The whole thing made me very very ill, it totally destroyed our Christmas as I did not receive 2 payments owed to me and I was even considering selling my house. If it helps anyone who is going through a similar thing, I have added below a copy of the letter I sent to Concentrix.

Concentrix on behalf of HMRC
PO Box 4970
Lancing
BN11 9YS


Dear Sirs

I write with reference to you letter dated 27th November 2015, the subsequent suspension of my tax credit payments and further to my telephone call to your office.

When I spoke to your agent on 28th November I was advised that my tax credits have been suspended as you have evidence of another adult living at the above address, in fact your agent actually told me that you have evidence of my ex-husband, xxxxx, living at my address. To say that my ex and I are surprised to hear this is putting it mildly as we have been divorced since 2009 and he is now happily remarried with 2 children. Also, we find it even more surprising as I bought my house after we separated and xxxxx has never lived at or been registered at this address. The fact that xxxxx is a Police Officer who lives in a house owned by Kent Police makes this even more confusing for us. The only financial connection I have with my ex-husband is the child maintenance which he pays to me for our daughter xxxxxxx. These payments used to be paid via the CSA but since the CSA’s new charging structure was introduced, payments are now made directly from his account to mine on the first of the month. We introduced the change to the way I receive my CSA payments at the suggestion of the CSA. Details of the child maintenance awarded by the CSA are enclosed. Fortunately my ex-husband has provided supporting documentation and I enclose a covering letter from him and copies of our decree absolute, his new marriage certificate and his council tax bill.

As I did not receive the letter you claim to have sent in October, I cannot reply to that correspondence directly, but your agent advised me to send in as much evidence as possible to prove that I live alone with my daughter and with that in mind I enclose supporting evidence of me being the only adult at the above address.

It is worth pointing out that I pay gas, electricity, water and TV licence by key card or meter and am unable to provide bills. I have however enclosed copies of all cards and keys plus correspondence from all of the aforementioned utilities, all of which is addressed solely to me. You will also note from the enclosed correspondence with reference to council tax and my mortgage, that I am the only adult living at my address. I also enclose a copy of a letter from my cancer surgeon with details of my medical history which hence proves why I am unable to work full time.

At the time of my last Tax Credits renewal, HMRC approached my employer directly for details of my P60 earnings and working hours so I know you have those details on file, but just to confirm I have enclosed the original renewal. When my renewal came through I was asked only to contact HMRC if certain changes had occurred to my earnings or working hours, but as neither applied to me, I did not contact HMRC.

After researching the suspension of tax credits online, I note that it is not up to me to prove that I live alone, but the onus is actually on HMRC and Concentrix to prove that I do not live alone. Obviously I have provided you with more than enough evidence thus far to ensure that this matter is resolved quickly and my tax credits are reinstated as soon as possible, but I would appreciate it if you could please provide me with any evidence you have of xxxx, or anyone else for that matter, living at my address as I am obviously concerned, not only for my tax credits but also for any identity theft or fraud that my address may be being used for.


Yours sincerely.

Darksparkle

You looked at your credit report to see if there is anything that might have caused this to flag up?

RAP_2

I have no idea why it happened. My ex does pay for our daughter's mobile and I occasionally get letters from 3 mobile for him at this address. When I rang HMRC about it, they mentioned something about bank account activity, so it may have something to do with either my CSA payments or a £2k win I had with Bauer in September. I have never checked my credit rating as I know it is rubbish. Is there a way I can check it without paying?

neilvw

Free trial if you remember to cancel within 30 days:

https://www.experian.co.uk

Darksparkle

Most have a free trial you can use. Your score isn't really relevant, just the report.

Something I would always suggest people check, especially as HMRC has access to this information as this is where many of their checks come from.

RAP_2

Thank you I will have a look and see what it says. Not sure it will be a good read though!

Darksparkle

RAP wrote: »

Thank you I will have a look and see what it says. Not sure it will be a good read though!

You aren't looking at it for anything to do with your credit, just to see if his name appears on it.

Could be as simple as the mobile.

neilvw

RAP wrote: »

Thank you I will have a look and see what it says. Not sure it will be a good read though!

Report back, won't you.

RAP_2

I will let you know how I get on.

RAP_2

I have just checked my Experian data and other than a pretty poor credit rating there is nothing on there. I can't see anyone else appearing at my address. To be honest, I think Concentrix are just throwing the net wide in the hope of catching a few tiddlers. It has been a horrendus couple of months but I suppose they have to find the benefit cheats somehow. It just seems a bit heavy handed to me. Thank you for your help.