Debt I don't owe.

Richard1964

I have a big problem that I'm trying to find help with.... basically I have an attachment of earnings on my pay for a debt of 16k that I don't owe.. cut a long story short I divorced my ex back in 2004 as she committed major credit card and benefit fraud for which she was convicted off. She also admitted and was found guilty of claiming benefits in my name totalling 16k........10 years later the DWP are taking this from MY salary.I desperately need advice on how to get this stopped... I've explained all this to them like I've put above but they don't want to know!!!!... someone please help as it's really getting to me that I have to pay for some debt that my ex had .

CKhalvashi

This should have been sorted a long time before it got to this stage - did you know anything about it until the AoE?

You need form N56 if you genuinely don't owe the debt.

National_Debtline

Hi Richard,


If this is a very old debt then the DWP may not have a CCJ - they may be using a Direct Earnings Attachment (DEA) to deduct the money from your salary. They do not need a court order to do this so there is no formal variation process. It is something they use to enforce old debts and if this is believed to be fraudulent they will take twice as much as if it is just an overpayment.


I would suggest you make a written formal complaint to the DWP and ask them to stop the deductions immediately. Ask them for more details about the debt itself, i.e. why they think you are liable if your ex confessed to using your details without your knowledge. If you have any paperwork to support this, then send copies to support your argument. If you don't have any paperwork this could be a lot trickier because it could be your word against theirs. Good luck,


Laura
@natdebtline