Is this letter a scam?

Dazed_and_C0nfused

HugoandHudsonsmum said:

la531983 said:

Nobody can do anything with a sort code and account number. Your mother likely handed this info out like confetti for years, given they are printed on the bottom of every cheque. 

First person to mention Jeremy Clarkson will be called predictable by me.

Anyway wont they already have the details if she is receiving payments already? All she needs to do is tell them to use those.

She's doesn't get tax credits anymore the last time she got tax credits was back in 2012 once my sister finished collage. 

But she does receive UC so surely they could get the details from DWP if not I think she'll ask for a cheque as another member mentioned 

I very much doubt DWP would disclose bank account details to a third party, even if it's another government department.

Bemmy2525

The letter is genuine...I received the exact same letter with the same wording(just different tax year and amount owed) last year as I was underpaid from a previous Tax Credit claim. I received the money a week later into my bank account that I provided when I phoned them, it was paid by HMRC. If the number is legitimate on the GOV.com site and it wants you to ring them, it ISNT a scam.

The reason they ask for bank details is because these tax credits claims are from years ago(10 years in my case) and the bank account used at the time may no longer be open or active especially if they had Post Office Card Accounts which no longer exist, they were made specifically for benefit claimants who didn't have an account.

Scammers wouldn't be able to do much with a sort code and account number anyway(they would at a minimum need the debit/credit card number, expiry date and CVC code which HMRC/DWP wouldn't ask for). They either need access to the actual account to transfer funds(such as getting you to give them a 2FA code or pin etc) or to get you to give them the money through a scam, none of which applies in this case.

peteuk

HugoandHudsonsmum said:

la531983 said:

You could have just Googled the number yesterday and seen its fine....

I'm sorry I thought forums where there to help I don't live with my mum so I've not seen the letter till I came round today.  

First step of anyone who thinks an email, text, letter is a scam, is to google the correct details.  In this case, I’m going to assume that had you done so, it may have cut out the confusion and stress the OP may have experienced.  

From google you can get the correct, address, phone number, website 

Newbie_John

la531983 said:

Nobody can do anything with a sort code and account number. Your mother likely handed this info out like confetti for years, given they are printed on the bottom of every cheque. 

First person to mention Jeremy Clarkson will be called predictable by me.

Anyway wont they already have the details if she is receiving payments already? All she needs to do is tell them to use those.

Oh they can set up direct debits 😎 sure, you'll get your money back but it will add a lot of hassle..

The typical scams I got from HMRC wanted to do refunds to my credit card 😂 but that's a different story.

Yep, genuine this one.

HugoandHudsonsmum

She phoned up yesterday and it was legit and she gave her details , apparently it's taking longer he told her to pay everyone as there are a high number of people phoning to claim there underpayments. 

On her UC claim does she use the journal or the report a change part as it's not new income it's a one off payment? 

Yamor

It isn't income for UC.

It would only have to be reported if you now have capital of over £6k.

HugoandHudsonsmum

Yamor said:

It isn't income for UC.

It would only have to be reported if you now have capital of over £6k.

It's says on the letter she has to let the DWP know.

 she hasn't got savings or capital over £6k way way under that. 

Yamor

She can let them know if she wants, but it isn't necessary, as it is definitely not income for UC purposes.