LCS: Still accepted money for a closed account.

Lynneypinney01

I been paying LCS a monthly fee to repay an overpayment on tax Credits since August 2011.
Yesterday I mistakenly sent them an overpayment.  I contacted LCS to ask for advice and if I could request a refund.  They informed me that my account had been closed on 23th June 2023 as the amount owed had been paid in full.  I never received any comms to tell it had been repaid or have they sent a letter to ask me to stop making payments.
They informed me that the money I have paid since June 2023 has been passed to HMRC and I need to ask them for a refund.  I really don't understand why they haven't been in touch and I am not sure how I will get this amount back as LCS are saying HMRC have the money.  Has anyone else experienced a similar issue and what advice can you give.  I am tempted to raise a complaint with LCS on the basis they should have contacted me to stop making payments.

fatbelly

Keep going. Put a formal complaint in writing to LCS.

I am afraid LCS are notoriously incompetent

If you can work out how much you overpaid to the exact penny that would help you as you escalate it

Newcad

I've had dealings with them over a non-existant 'debt' (An energy charge that the Energy Ombudsman had already ruled invalid months before. I had to deal with a few debt collectors about it and LCSDR were the most awkward)..

Personally I'd go further than "notoriously incompetent" but rather "deliberately obstructive and forgetful - when it suits them."

I have no doubt that LCDRS have been taking their own cut/fees from your overpayments - for their 'administration' of something that they shouldn't have been doing anyway.

In your case complain to them, then when they don't resolve your complaint ( complaints are usually water off a ducks back to them) follow up with a complaint to the Financial Ombudsman.

https://lcsdr.com/complaints