Written by John Kruse, one of the leading experts on Bailiff Law, this consumer friendly guide is essential reading for anyone who comes into contact with a bailiff.
The book is easy to understand and clearly explains the rights
a bailiff has, and also what they cannot do when collecting debts and repossessing goods etc.
Department for Works & Pensions chasing £50 from 1990 ish that I do not owe, and claiming that I am ignoring letters
Hello - apologies in advance if this post is in the wrong place...Wasnt sure where to post
I owed the DWP £50 around 1990- 1992. I paid it at £2 a week, as I was a very poor graduate with no job at the time. Years pass, I am now married, mortgage, and have a family.
About 18 months ago the DWP and sent me a letter demanding £50. I wrote to them to explain that I did not owe them anything. 3 months passed and I recieved a second letter apologising that their "investigation" (reminded me of The Office!) was taking longer than anticipated. 4 months later they wrote to me again, this time enclosing a huge realm of computer paper which meaningless information on it. I wrote back saying the printout was meaningless to me, I did not owe them a penny, besides it was over 6 years ago (not sure if stature barred applies to them), and to please stop harrassing me.
I then recieved a letter from a debt collection agency in Preson, (something like QUOIS - sorry I will wake the family if I go routing for the letter now as its late). I rang them immediatley to explain. They said that they would contact the DWP, thanks for calling etc, and they would be in touch. 3 months later I get another letter from them saying that I had ignored previous letters! I rang again and they said that they had communicated with DWP and they wanted to know if I paid by giro slips or a book - well i cant remember it was years ago! I asked them to send me a letter confirming that I had contacted them twice and had not ignored any letter. They said that they do not send letters of this nature out, and neither could they e-mail me.
Its like banging your head against a wall. I am not paying what I do not owe. However at the same time I do not want to damage my credit score.
Has anyone got any ideas? The rate of knots in which these people work could mean its going on for another 17 years! Thanks Suzy
Re: Department for Works & Pensions chasing £50 from 1990 ish that I do not owe, and claiming that I am ignoring letters
Hi Suzy,as you prob realised now its always better to deal with things like this by letter,keeping a copy and sending proof of posting.If you had done a subject access report demanding everything,then they would have been obliged to comply by supplying you with everything in clear intelligible format.I suggest that you put something in writing to the debt collector,to say you will be making a Subject access request for the information,to include telephone logs.The name you give for this DCA does not ring any bells-maybe you could post ?
We need to determine whether the collector is affiliated to the DWP or else indipendant.
Once we know that(and also who they are)it will be easier to advise.
Meantime I will move your post into the forum that will get you more help with this.
If you are sent a private message directing you for advice or support with your issues to another website,this is your choice.Before you decide,consider the users here who have already offered help and support.Private message facilities are offered for users to communicate issues that are/or could be seen to be inappropriate for posting on the main forum.Site rules explain this in more detail.If you are approached by private message with a view to asking you to visit another website,please inform the site team via the report icon. Advice offered by Martin3030 is not supported by any legal training or qualification.Members are advised to use the services of fully insured legal professionals when needed. Donations help CAG to help YOU Click here
Re: Department for Works & Pensions chasing £50 from 1990 ish that I do not owe, and claiming that I am ignoring letters
Suzy, I'm with Martin - never ever deal over the phone where debts are concerned. My answer to this? Get your MP onto it. It's amazing what happens when an MP gets involved.
statute barred does not apply to any government debt. If you go onto benefits at any time (including a pension) they can take it out of that. Speak to your MP
Department for Works & Pensions chasing £50 from 1990 ish that I do not owe, and claiming that I am ignoring letters
, and have a family.
Reply With Quote
