HMRC Deed of Assignment Counterfeit Fraud

1NMC

Hi,

I received my p800 from HMRC today saying that I was being paid a tax refund. Great news, I thought. But no. The refund cheque is being sent to a company that I've never heard of - ENSIGN ADVISORY LTD
After a good half an hour on hold to HMRC their agent told me that HMRC hold a signed Deed of Assignment from me appointing ENSIGN to deal with them and collect my money on my behalf.
I've never heard of ENSIGN and I've never signed a Deed of Assignment to them or anyone else. 
HMRC say it's a legally binding document that they will stick to until both me and ENSIGN cancel it.
This can't be right.
I've written into HMRC today stating that it's counterfeit and requesting they end the assignment immediately.
Really surprises me that the system supports this type of frauds and even though I acted on day 1 the process allows for the money to be disappeared by ENSIGN while HMRC refuses to take action.
Any one else suffered a similar fate?
Any ideas about how I can get this sorted out and stop any further stealing from my tax account?

Dazed_and_C0nfused

Have you or your spouse ever applied for Marriage Allowance?

1NMC

Can't believe it!
My wife just came in from work to find her P800 showing that ENSIGN ADVISORY has been issued a copy. Presuming they've forged her signature to a deed of assignment too.

TELLIT01

If you are getting nowhere with HMRC, contact the police and your MP as a matter of urgency.  Somebody needs to take alleged fraud seriously.

Dazed_and_C0nfused

TELLIT01 said:

If you are getting nowhere with HMRC, contact the police and your MP as a matter of urgency.  Somebody needs to take alleged fraud seriously.

Quite.  But this is a genuine company offering tax related services.

No one really needs the service offered but they do exist and the op is married so they or their wife may have availed themselves of it, even if unwittingly.

[Deleted User]

https://ensignadvisory.co.uk/ These maybe?

sheramber

Did you or your wife make a recent claim for marriage allowance transfer by completing an online form?

if you did, it would appear you  completed a form  for that company, authorising them to claim on your behalf. Many people have been caught by these companies, thinking they are applying to HMRC.

https://ensignadvisory.co.uk/

You will receive 100% of the increase to your household net income going forwards once the marriage allowance tax break is in place. This is approximately £250 per year. This is done at no cost.

Our fee of 35% + Vat (42% including VAT) plus £100 (including VAT) of the total HMRC repayment is payable if a payment is released.

Where no payment is released, you do not have to pay us anything.

So, all you need to do is complete the online form and we will process the Marriage allowance transfer with HMRC for you.

Stephen_Snow

I had a similar problem. I received a letter from HMRC informing me that I had a tax refund and the cheque was sent to Ensign Advisory. I couldn't remember signing anything but after emailing them (Ensign), they sent me a pdf copy of the agreement I signed. Not the brightest decision I have made as they take over 50% of your refund.

Andrewjmw

My wife also received a p800 form saying she had a refund of £83.13 - ok, its not huge - but for us it is a weeks worth of shopping and I am currently out of work.

I called up HMRC asking if they could remove it from both our accounts, but we need to have something signed by both myself and my wife AND Ensign Advisory!  The supposed signed Deed form is being sent to me by the revenue, so at least I will have some sort of evidence and no doubt some very dodgy signatures!! 

I've written to Ensign asking to disengage services with us.  As they do not answer the phone but instead ask to email instead - I am probably going to be in a huge inbox!!

I really do not know what to do.  The lady at the HMRC said I could go to the police - but what good will become of that?

If anyone has some advice - please let me know.

Thanks, Andrew.

Dazed_and_C0nfused

I called up HMRC asking if they could remove it from both our accounts, 

Not sure what you actually mean by this?

I really do not know what to do. The lady at the HMRC said I could go to the police - but what good will become of that?

Have you paid any tax in the current tax year?  If so it's possible Ensign could be legally entitled to any refund you are owed for the current tax year.  So you know which tax years the deed is valid for?

louisokeefe

Stephen_Snow said:

I had a similar problem. I received a letter from HMRC informing me that I had a tax refund and the cheque was sent to Ensign Advisory. I couldn't remember signing anything but after emailing them (Ensign), they sent me a pdf copy of the agreement I signed. Not the brightest decision I have made as they take over 50% of your refund.

Hi Stephen, I am in the same position and urgently want to see the terms agreed to in this 'Deed of Assignment'.

Would you be able to send me this?