Concentrix issues? Case studies wanted for MSE story

Former_MSE_Sam_M

Hi All

I'm looking into Concentrix for a news story for MSE. I note from this board that lots of people have been negatively affected by Concentrix and its handling of people's tax credits claims.

It'd be useful to include some case studies of people affected and I'd be grateful if anyone who'd be willing for their story to be used in a news story to PM me. If I'm inundated I can't promise to be able to reply to everyone who PMs me.

Because of the nature of the issue your name could be changed - however, we would want to publish some details of your circumstances such as age, family situation, general location and what happened (eg, tax credits stopped for seemingly no reason, phantom partners etc).

I'm looking to hear from anyone negatively impacted by Concentrix and also anyone who has successfully appealed against one of its decisions (including how long that took you).

If you have been affected, and haven't already, please contact your local MP to encourage them to take up the issue. You can find your MP's contact details here: https://www.theyworkforyou.com/

Thanks in advance for your help!

[Deleted User]

One has to ask what good such a story would do ?

lincoln69

Hello Sam,

I have written a few posts about my experience with Concentrix and the total lack of empathy or factual information that they are prepared to pass onto the "claimant," if you have been besieged with numerous stories then I won't supply mine.

Let me know if I can help?

Ali

]

MABLE

Two friends of mine were investigated last year as they had a joint mortgage together but nothing else. From their experience they found the whole process painless and Concentric were very helpful. In the end it was agreed the one claiming as a single person was entitled to.

poppellerant

How about this, currently on the BBC news site.

Tax credits mum 'falsely accused of marriage to dead man'

A teenage mother had her child tax credits stopped after she was wrongly accused of being married to a dead 74-year-old man, the BBC has learned.

Nicola McKenzie is one of hundreds of people complaining they have been incorrectly punished by the US firm Concentrix, used by the government to cut tax credit fraud and overpayment.

She is struggling to feed her son, she told the Victoria Derbyshire programme.

The government said Concentrix would "not be paid" for wrong decisions.

The Treasury has revealed 120 cases since last October where the company did not "fully" meet the performance standards laid out in its contract.

But it is feared the actual number may be higher. The Facebook campaign group Concentrix Mums, which has 5,600 members, says hundreds more people have been affected by errors.

[Deleted User]

That's so bad, I can't stand this company. We have been awaiting our standard renewal since April 16. We still have no answers after being advised by Concentrix that they can't advise of progress in case the information is wrong. I have provided proof of childcare costs but they don't seem to be able to process the renewal, when I call I always get the busy tone and don't even get to queue stage.

poppellerant

Tax credits firm Concentrix will not have contract renewed

Concentrix, the US firm accused of incorrectly withdrawing tax credits from hundreds of claimants, will not have its contract renewed, HMRC says.

The firm, employed by the government to cut tax credit fraud and overpayment, will, however, complete its current contract which expires in May 2017.

In the eight months until then Concentrix will work on clearing outstanding cases, said HMRC.

It said it would prioritise customers whose tax credits had been stopped.

Concentrix won a £75m contract to try to save the government more than £1bn in incorrect or fraudulent tax credit payments in May last year.

Source: BBC News

[Deleted User]

assj wrote: »

That's so bad, I can't stand this company. We have been awaiting our standard renewal since April 16. We still have no answers after being advised by Concentrix that they can't advise of progress in case the information is wrong. I have provided proof of childcare costs but they don't seem to be able to process the renewal, when I call I always get the busy tone and don't even get to queue stage.

The same has happened to me. My documents were sent by the June deadline, I applied for a re-mortgage in August as they needed the new renewal for proof of income, I called them 1st August in tears saying I could lose my mortgage and house and they said it was waiting a decision, called again a week later to say it hadn't even gone to a decision maker it was in the pile to go to decisions,

Then two weeks ago I called and he moved it to decision making pile, then last week he assured me it would be looked at that day. Rang Monday and was told no it hadn't was still waiting. Luckily my mortgage was approved and they haven't stopped my money but they don't care. 3 months now I've been waiting for a decision. I think it's a joke.

DanniH

Hi, I was contacted by them and asked to provide proof my son was in childcare which I did in June 2016. I had my receipts returned and was told they would be in touch, that was 3 months ago. I have just rung HM revenue this morning and they are unable to provide any details, although the lady was very nice, I was advised to keep ringing concentric, but they are not answering calls. How do we expect to receive answers if we can not get hold of anyone and HM rev cannot help either? My son is now in full time school but HM Rev cannot amend anything on their systems as concentric have my case and I can't get hold of them! I am 29 weeks pregnant and finding this very stressful as I can imagine most others are too. Thanks.

tommytynan123

DanniH wrote: »

Hi, I was contacted by them and asked to provide proof my son was in childcare which I did in June 2016. I had my receipts returned and was told they would be in touch, that was 3 months ago. I have just rung HM revenue this morning and they are unable to provide any details, although the lady was very nice, I was advised to keep ringing concentric, but they are not answering calls. How do we expect to receive answers if we can not get hold of anyone and HM rev cannot help either? My son is now in full time school but HM Rev cannot amend anything on their systems as concentric have my case and I can't get hold of them! I am 29 weeks pregnant and finding this very stressful as I can imagine most others are too. Thanks.

You are spot-on DanniH with the stress. My sons ex (and grand-daughter) - we all get on fine which is helpful - is going thro the same mill with false allegations of co-habiting etc etc. Luckily we can help, but for some people it must be a nightmare. So, why have I posted?

Apart from trying to phone and/or waiting is there anything else she can do??

Ashleighjade

I recently received a letter ( 18th August 2016 ) from concentrix saying that im no longer entitled to claim as a single parent. I was confused and shocked when I received this letter as it stated that I didn't respond to the letter they sent out on the 10th June 2016 which I never received any other letter. They stopped my payments immediately. I contacted concentrix on the same day I received this letter, they said that I had someone loving with me which is not true. My children's farther had contacted HMRC to say that he has been living with me since December 2015 when in fact we have been separated early 2013. I am on the verge of losing my house everything my wage dont even cover my rent. I have been trying to get in contact with concentrix for the last two weeks but it always says its busy. I have contacted Hmrc tax credits but they say because my claim has been terminated they cant do anything. I really feel like there is no way out. I don't know who else I can contact. I really feel like I'm on my own here. I'm scared of losing everything, can anyone help me please.