help help help

headoutthesand

I've just posted this on the benefits board but i'm hoping someone on here might be able to help me too.

after posting a thread last night about my sister, i've now had a letter throught from HMRC.

It is saying that my tax credits will not be paid till i send through the following:

Bank statements for ALL bank accounts bearing my name for last 3 months
CC statements for last 3 months
Loan or HP agreements with my name
phone bill
gas and electric bill
copy of mobile phone bill
wage slips for last 3 months
P60 for last year
copy of my employment contract
copy of my council tax bill

can anybody tell me why this is?

I have given them all the correct information, i haven't cut my hours, taken on a second job, had more than a £25000 payrise, I don't pay childcare at all.

The letter is saying i may need to pay a penalty if they find something wrong or if i have provided false information.

I really am cacking myself now[QUOTE/]

Also - will they take my quidco, amazon and ebay payments into account?

I've never done a mystery shop but i am registered with some - could it be that?_pale_

headoutthesand

right i've done some research and apparently it's called a compliance check or something

anyone else had this?

Alisonbel

Sorry can't help but will get it back at the top!!

tigtag02

Hiya

I've not had anything as intrusive as you have written above but I have been *randomly investigated* which led to me asking them to spell out clearly what it was they thought I had done after weeks of them f-annying about and practically harassing my childminder!!

They told me my name had been *pulled from a hat* and finally said all was good.

In essence I think its a good thing but like always they go about it in the wrong way. Why dont you give them a ring.

I would imagine that your quidco etc would count but not ebay if its just from your own stuff you have sold on.

HTH
tt
x

MrsTinks

Quidco shouldn't count - it's not an income its cashback - same as I would not expect creditcard cash back would count - but do call and ask.
Personally I think these checks are great - it shows that they DO randomly check people and whilst you might not have been naughty it might discourage people who HAVE been from doing it again/anymore iyswim
I'd call them and ask about the bits you're not sure about - oh and ebay income doesn't count so long as you haven't been buying stuff to sell at a profit - if you have then you should have been declaring it! But guess you know that
I think all the utility bills is to check that you are you and you live where you say you do and no-one else does (if someone was fraudulently claiming then I bet chances of them having the bills in the correct name would be pretty slim!)
Good luck

linzi_pinzi

my friend got a letter the same its called a compliance check they are just checking you have give them the right information they do random checks.if you cannot provide them with certain information you must tell them as you may occur a penalty .but they did not stop her tax credits ..i do think thats wrong as they haven't got any of the information so do not yet no if you have been under payed or over payed or not ..they carnt leave you with no money if you depend on like paying your child minder, i would give them a ring and ask them if thats right.

headoutthesand

Thanks for all this guys.

I googles it and came across the HMRC guide to compliance checks and my god what a lot of information there is.

I phoned to tell them that OH was made unemployed and that we were considering a chilkdminder cos he would prob get a job with shifts.

I've calmed down quite a bit after reading it but it's still a worry. My mum thinks someone has stolen my identity and using my NI number from the benefits lost disc thing and used it for a job and that is why they are looking for my bank statements etc....nice of her to reassure me isn't it...???

It does say in the 'manual' that they do random checks and that there is a standard list of things they look for.

The fact that they asked for a copy of my employment contract etc make me worry.Why would they need a copy of my contrct from 8 years ago when i was 18, single and living with my parents

MrsTinks

I think they just want to make sure you are employed and can provide proof (again this could be to confirm you are indeed you and you work where you say and live where you say and get paid what you claim you get paid - ie if you get paid more than you have declared to them then it could affect your benefits etc)
Your employer should be able to provide you with a copy of your contract even if it's 8 years ago that you started there. Make sure it does however list your current salary and hours you work etc