Letter From LCSDR claiming overpayment during Pandemic

RobinHill

There has been quite a bit of fraud re. UC claims during the pandemic period. It is possible that this is what has happened here. Criminals have been fraudulently claiming UC loans in other people's names. The first the victim knows about it is when they get the debt letter.

https://www.heraldscotland.com/politics/19407534.taxpayers-lose-27bn-covid-loan-fraud-benefit-scams-reach-all-time-high/

poppy12345

RobinHill said:

There has been quite a bit of fraud re. UC claims during the pandemic period. It is possible that this is what has happened here. Criminals have been fraudulently claiming UC loans in other people's names. The first the victim knows about it is when they get the debt letter.

https://www.heraldscotland.com/politics/19407534.taxpayers-lose-27bn-covid-loan-fraud-benefit-scams-reach-all-time-high/

OP states it's from HMRC regarding tax credits, not UC.

TELLIT01

poppy12345 said:

RobinHill said:

There has been quite a bit of fraud re. UC claims during the pandemic period. It is possible that this is what has happened here. Criminals have been fraudulently claiming UC loans in other people's names. The first the victim knows about it is when they get the debt letter.

https://www.heraldscotland.com/politics/19407534.taxpayers-lose-27bn-covid-loan-fraud-benefit-scams-reach-all-time-high/

OP states it's from HMRC regarding tax credits, not UC.

I suspect fraudulent claims on all benefits has increased during the pandemic.  Many more claims being made, fewer staff available, pressure to get claims processed will all contribute to that.

Brie

Sounds to me like a scam.  Contact HMRC directly and see what they have to say.

p00hsticks

TELLIT01 said:

poppy12345 said:

RobinHill said:

There has been quite a bit of fraud re. UC claims during the pandemic period. It is possible that this is what has happened here. Criminals have been fraudulently claiming UC loans in other people's names. The first the victim knows about it is when they get the debt letter.

https://www.heraldscotland.com/politics/19407534.taxpayers-lose-27bn-covid-loan-fraud-benefit-scams-reach-all-time-high/

OP states it's from HMRC regarding tax credits, not UC.

I suspect fraudulent claims on all benefits has increased during the pandemic.  Many more claims being made, fewer staff available, pressure to get claims processed will all contribute to that.

I  didn't think new claims have been taken for tax credits for a while pre-pandemic though - isn't it one of the benefits being replaced by UC ?

sammyjammy

p00hsticks said:

TELLIT01 said:

poppy12345 said:

RobinHill said:

There has been quite a bit of fraud re. UC claims during the pandemic period. It is possible that this is what has happened here. Criminals have been fraudulently claiming UC loans in other people's names. The first the victim knows about it is when they get the debt letter.

https://www.heraldscotland.com/politics/19407534.taxpayers-lose-27bn-covid-loan-fraud-benefit-scams-reach-all-time-high/

OP states it's from HMRC regarding tax credits, not UC.

I suspect fraudulent claims on all benefits has increased during the pandemic.  Many more claims being made, fewer staff available, pressure to get claims processed will all contribute to that.

I  didn't think new claims have been taken for tax credits for a while pre-pandemic though - isn't it one of the benefits being replaced by UC ?

That is correct, no claims for tax credits are allowed and haven't been for some time, certainly pre pandemic.  

I think you contact them via online chat and/or on a Saturday if that helps OP, its the only way you'll find out what is going on