Is this a scam or do I have to pay it back?

Muttleythefrog

Have you called them yet?

textbook

fatbelly said:

Direct Earnings Attachment, then

Apparently it's overpayment on tax credits for two years.  

bazdvd

ouch.... how much do they want back?

peteuk

textbook said:

fatbelly said:

Direct Earnings Attachment, then

Apparently it's overpayment on tax credits for two years.  

Was it a joint claim?  If so check that the amount owed hasn’t been split between yourself and the other person on the claim. 

sheramber

peteuk said:

textbook said:

fatbelly said:

Direct Earnings Attachment, then

Apparently it's overpayment on tax credits for two years.  

Was it a joint claim?  If so check that the amount owed hasn’t been split between yourself and the other person on the claim. 

Both parties are jointly and severally liable.

If they cannot get money from one party for some reason  they will charge the other party the full amount. 

fatbelly

Tax credit overpayments are an exception to the general rule.

Joint debts can be split 50/50 and considered separately

Since August 2009 Hmrc have operated a fair policy: if a person engages with them they will only seek recovery of 50% of a joint debt. Provided this is being paid by lump sum or payment plan they will attempt to reclaim the other 50% from the other party but if they cannot recover it, they will not go back to the engaging party.

Prior to August 2009 Hmrc reserved the right to go back to the engaging party for further money if the other debtor could not be traced

sheramber

fatbelly said:

Tax credit overpayments are an exception to the general rule.

Joint debts can be split 50/50 and considered separately

Can be being the operative phrase. 

If one party cannot be traced then the other party can be required to pat it all. 

peteuk

sheramber said:

peteuk said:

textbook said:

fatbelly said:

Direct Earnings Attachment, then

Apparently it's overpayment on tax credits for two years.  

Was it a joint claim?  If so check that the amount owed hasn’t been split between yourself and the other person on the claim. 

Both parties are jointly and severally liable.

If they cannot get money from one party for some reason  they will charge the other party the full amount. 

Not in all cases, I was sent an overpayment and then 6 months later my wife was sent the same amount, when we questioned this it was because they had split it 50/50.   I had started paying it back, so was suprised when they caught up with my wife as well.

 I have had it recalculated into one sum.  I warn people of this just incase, If you phoning to find out what its about its simple to check the other claimants NI for a split overpayment. 

sheramber

peteuk said:

sheramber said:

peteuk said:

textbook said:

fatbelly said:

Direct Earnings Attachment, then

Apparently it's overpayment on tax credits for two years.  

Was it a joint claim?  If so check that the amount owed hasn’t been split between yourself and the other person on the claim. 

Both parties are jointly and severally liable.

If they cannot get money from one party for some reason  they will charge the other party the full amount. 

Not in all cases, I was sent an overpayment and then 6 months later my wife was sent the same amount, when we questioned this it was because they had split it 50/50.   I had started paying it back, so was suprised when they caught up with my wife as well.

 I have had it recalculated into one sum.  I warn people of this just incase, If you phoning to find out what its about its simple to check the other claimants NI for a split overpayment. 

You don’t know what they would have done if they had not traced your wife