Tax Credits Over-Payments

enemes

Hi

I'm wondering what the real story is about the tax credit over payment lark.

My ex-wife, somehow, was able to claim over £20,000 a couple of years ago in our joint name. I knew nothing of it at the time.

However, I have been repaying it back for the last year at £40/mnth by standing order ... God, knows when i will finish.

Question is ... Am I to believe the reports that state that I may not have to repay them after all. Can I get out of this repayment scheme, and if so, how?

Would be grateful for anybody's advice

Thanks

welly72

hi, just found this, dont know if it helps. hope so http://www.thisismoney.co.uk/news/article.html?in_article_id=423919&in_page_id=2

enemes

Thanks for that ... it kinda looks like it will not affect me sadly. The people who benefit from this will be those who had the current payments reduced to claw back their overpayments.

If I have read the article properly, it seems that the £20K I "owe" will have to be repaid as i came to an arrangement to pay it off monthly.

Correct me if I am wrong ... PLEASE!!

System

enemes wrote: »

Hi
My ex-wife, somehow, was able to claim over £20,000 a couple of years ago in our joint name. I knew nothing of it at the time.

If your ex wife made a claim in joint names without your knowledge then she must have forged your signature which is fraud and you should have disputed the overpayment. You also should have asked the TCO for a copy of the original signed application form to prove that she forged your signature. You have the right to request the copy under the Data Protection Act. You need to write to them and make a "Subject Access Request"

HTH

enemes

Thanks Pam17

You wouldn't believe this woman ... she even had her children faking disabilities to claim DLA, and further Tax Credits ... forging a signature was just easy street as far as she was concerned.

But thanks anyway, I will go down that route and start to track the original applications etc. The ironic thing is, I have residence of the kids now, paying off this - and many other debts - whilst she can work full time and pay nothing. Am I getting conned again?

N

System

enemes - whilst you are paying back the overpayment the TCO will also be pursuing your ex at the same time. As long as they have her address they will chase her too.

When you make the Subject Access Request you should also ask for a copy of all phone calls made re your joint claim. They will send you out CD'S of the calls and you will be able to listen to what she said if and when she called them. Once you have all the evidence you can then make a formal dispute of the overpayment.

enemes

Pam17 wrote: »

When you make the Subject Access Request you should also ask for a copy of all phone calls made re your joint claim. They will send you out CD'S of the calls and you will be able to listen to what she said if and when she called them. Once you have all the evidence you can then make a formal dispute of the overpayment.

Thanks again for that ... Do I send to Liverpool for the Subject Access Request , or is there a specific Data Protection dept to go for ... you have no idea how much I would love to hear these recordings!

As for pursuing her, nah, the TCO don't seem to be bothered, as long as they "have" one of us making payments. I have told them where she works and lives, but they don't seem interested. And because it is standing order, it is difficult to stop, as I have tried that in the hope that they will start chasing her... asd I have done with many of her debtors.

Thanks again ... this is getting better by the minute!!

System

Tax Credit Office
Government buildings
Preston
PR1 0YP

Send your request by recorded delivery and keep a copy of your letter.

enemes

... consider it sent!

Many many thanks

PS .. when I said Liverpool, I meant Preston ... sorry

I will certainly let you know how I get on