Perfect! I was going to say I had a job but not give them any details, but 'personal reasons' is a far better option and I will do that instead. I'm moving house to take up the new job, so they won't have my new address or phone number so I can escape their clutches completely

I agree wholeheartedly with Pat18's comment that the information here is so helpful! I posted here last week that I had been sanctioned for not turning up for a mandatory appointment with Ingeus that they had neglected to tell me about. I called the DWP to say I disagreed with the decision and would be appealing against it, and to my surprise they immediately said my benefits would be reinstated and no sanctions applied! I was stunned to say the least ... I have been twice sanctioned before because of Ingeus errors and on both occasions the sanction has been overturned. I wonder if the DWP are just as wary of Ingeus as we all are? Who knows? I now have a job, starting early February, so was going to ask here for any tips re telling JCP and Ingeus and I found all the information here without even having to ask! Amazing. I can't tell you how much posters here have got me through some very dark days during this last week. Thank you!

Thank you SO much for lots of useful information, which I will follow up. I actually did my post earlier whilst I was at Ingeus doing a jobsearch. On the way out of their office, I left a letter stating the facts (as per my post here) to the manager. The manager phoned me when I got home ... they maintain they have a file copy of a letter that they say they sent to me, informing me about the mandatory appointment on 2 January. I definitely didn't receive it but can't prove it, of course, and I think the adviser is lying about sending it, especially given her track record. I was in touch with my MP when I made my complaint in October 2014. I will re-read what she said but, from memory, it didn't really give me many options about what to do. But I don't want to let this go, so will definitely be following it up.

I wonder if anyone can advise me on what to do PLEASE ... Just before Christmas, while I was doing a jobsearch at Ingeus, my advisor put her head round the door and told me the opening hours for Christmas and the new year (re-opening was on Fri 2 Jan). I usually attend on a Tues and Weds. Now I have been sanctioned for 4 weeks as I didn't turn up on Fri 2 Jan. But she didn't tell me to! I always make a note of what she says to me, because she never remembers herself. I now intend to record all conversations with her and have asked that any further appointments she says she has made are confirmed in writing. I made a written complaint about my advisor in October last year because - amongst other things - she said she left a message on my answerphone (I don't even have one) and she said I hadn't attended a jobsearch (but my signature is clearly visible in the signing in book for that day). This advisor clearly has no idea what she is doing with regard to her work at Ingeus, but I believe she is now deliberately trying to get my benefits stopped because I complained about her. And she's done this by lying - saying I had an appointment on 2 Jan when I am 100% sure that I did not. With regard to the previous complaint I made, apparently the system is such that it is investigated by Ingeus themselves - great! Is there anyone else I can complain to (I tried DWP and Job Centre but they didn't bother to respond).

Yes, I found it quite scary that they knew where I lived (I had a residents permit for a scheme they were operating, but they're not doing it now). I got the cheque (late, of course!) and paid it into the bank. It's been a couple of weeks now, so I guess it's all gone through. I was all set up to get bailiffs to go round, but was thwarted!! Never mind I'll PM you and to arrange for you to see all the papers associated with the claim in case it can help to help you decide what to do.

I remember how outraged I was when Newline wrongly clamped me, and the feeling that I wanted to get justice so I can totally empathise with you. I too am a single working mum with little cash or time, but I felt so strongly I couldn't let that put me off. Would you like a copy of the bundle I put together, to give you an idea of what I did? And also Newline's bundle? (very neat, organised and comprehensive). It scared me when I got it in the post before the hearing, but I had to remind myself that they were still in the wrong, no matter how much paperwork they put before the judge. I think you are in London (Arsenal/Spurs match?) as I am, so I'll come to the court on the day (if you decide to take that route) to offer moral support if you like.

That is quite horrific, although not as surprising as it ought to be. I really hope you manage to get these people brought to justice. This might be the sort of story that a local or national newspaper would be interested in: clamping violence and police inaction. It really is about time clamping was outlawed because whatever regulation there is clearly isn't working. If a few of our legislators lived in the real world (without their chauffeur-driven cars and the like) and were clamped they would soon leap into action. Instead, it's left to innocent individuals to defend ourselves against people who will do virtually anything to grab a bit more cash. Disgusting.

I claimed as I believed there was inadequate signage, although it was a bit more complicated than that (needless to say!). Newline had put up notices around our estate to say the scheme was restarting (after being suspended for 5 months) but not one in an area where I would see them and they didn't write individually to each resident to let them know. Hence I didn't display my permit although I had one. Obviously the facts are different in your case but if you are convinced you are right then perhaps you might give it a try in the courts. I can't remember what the costs involved are if you lose (eg do you have to pay their costs?). In my case it cost £50 to go to court (half to put in the claim, the other half when it was allocated to a court). As I said earlier, you would need to prepared for it to go to court: it probably will do because they fight all the way. The Money Claim Online website is quite comprehensive regarding what to do and so on. I hope this is useful - if there's any other info I can provide just let me know. I'm more than happy to help a fellow victim of Newline who is being unjustly treated

Thank you for the welcome! I will definitely look in daily from now on to see what's going on in the various different threads. Energised by yesterday's success I am determined not to shrug my shoulders any more and put things down to experience: when I am in the right, I will get justice.

At Brentford County court today I successfully reclaimed the clamping fees imposed on me by Newline Securities in April 2008, plus my costs. Newline have been lurking around for ages so hopefully the payment will come through within the 14 days allowed. If not, I WILL pursue it. Just wanted to offer encouragement to the OP that if you strongly believe you are in the right, it is a fairly straightforward matter to take them to court to reclaim the fees. Bit nervewracking tho ... BTW, I only started my appeal a year after the original clamping (I hadn't realised I could take this route) so it's definitely not too late for the OP. But be prepared for it to go to court - Newline would not even accept the mediation offered: the MD, a Mr Troullous (do a web search ...) was in court today to vigorously defend my claim. He also stated there and then he wanted to appeal, but permission was refused. Good luck!