I couldn't agree more. I once worked for one of our major TV broadcasters - who introduced swipe "access" passes to all staff and Freelancers - that turned out to be a card that wasn't just to get in and out - it tracked your movements around the respective buildings, logged the times, even you could put credit on it and use it on the phones or pay for food/drink from vending machines, as well as use it to access the toiliets. When I mentioned it at a Union meeting- it was thought I was making it up; until most of the freelance staff complained- one producing a weekly printout of building movements, who used the phone, what they spent at Vending machines, when they went to the Loo etc. Indeed - if you have done nothing wrong, then why should you be worried - however, it is still a concern on how your/our details are handled, where they are used etc. This country has more or less become well known for passing on details here and there, and not to mention leaving laptops, CDs, USB sticks et al on public transport. Not to forget the current "phone hacking" stories don't offer much confidence in privacy either.

They'll be doing credit checks before you get a library card next. 10 years ago, I was rushed into hospital; just after taking out some books from the library - once I was discharged from hospital, and able to get around I returned the books - about 1month late (despite the fact I had asked someone to sort it for me). However - the fine was something like £1.50. So how much does the fine have to be before they send in the Gestapo Collection Companies? Surely - it isn't worth them pursuing £1.50; unless they charge stupid amounts for letters and doorstep visits that is. Mind you, the point made earlier I agree with- the whole thing sounds a lot more lucrative as there is a nice big database of names, addresses etc to get hold of.

The intresting thing is- prior to my insurance running out in April; I didn't receive any contact regarding a renewal until about 3 or 4 days before the policy ended (not useful as the car had died a day or so before)- and when it did drop through the door- with massive 40% increase on the top of last years premium; and worded pretty much as "Thanks for signing up with us".... I phoned them up. I explained that the quote they had provided was way too expensive; I couldn't afford it- and with work what it is; I couldn't predict when / what work would be coming in (That's the British Film Industry for you). The girl explained that the 40% rise was justified because they had to recoup costs for all of those undesireables who drive around uninsured and make false claims... Now correct me if I am wrong; there are numerous programmes on TV (across all channels) that follow numerous police forces, traffic police, motorway police, interpol, fashion police etc- they show how easy it is to pick up, fine, and seize vehicals from those uninsured. Where do the fines go? Secondly- insurers get a referral fee for every accident they refer to a claims company too. Nothing like having bread buttered on both sides is there? I told all this to the girl at Swinton- who was speechless, and just replied with "We need to make a profit too".... well there is profit, and huge profits. I then asked to cancel my policy and explained that the car had died- to be greeted with "Ahh yes, that'll be £50 admin charges" too.So I asked to justify the £50- which she couldn't, other than "That's our charge". So I threatened to invoice Swinton for my time (90mins on the phone), the phone call- being self employed, my time is money! I should have let my car insurance just run out for the sake of a few days. But at the end of the day was just keeping paperwork and such up to date- the authorities are hot on paperwork!!!

OK an old thread. That is quite intresting. Under similar circumstances, I cancelled my insurance with Swinton (as the car had died- literally). Swinton were a bit miffed that I was cancelling the policy- even though I had no car to insure; I informed them that I was self-employed, and much work has been cut back- so needed to tighten my belt financially. They began to reel off cancellation charges, additional admin charges etc. I explained that I did not mind paying for what I actually owed (I think it was about 7 days insurance outstanding- not much). But I was informed that I had to pay the £50 admin/cancellation charge- when asked to jusitfy it; the reply I got was "It's our charge". So- I sent them a cheque with covering letter for the outstanding weeks insurance (that cleared). About 2 weeks later I recieve a text message threatening court action if I didn't call LFS Collection and settle outsanding debts. So I called LFS- they informed me that there was no debt showing on my account and then apologised- explaining it was an error, and wrong number - so told to forget about it. A bit of a coincidence really- saying what did happen with Swinton in the first place. Since the initial conversation with Swinton back in April; I have recieved no further letter or contact, nor anything from LFS. Incidentally- LFS aren't actually an independent collection agency- they are the Swinton Insurance "Collections Department" though under a different banner- perhaps to make it sound more serious. BT collections did this and sent out letters in the same style as their BT letters- bit of a give away really.

I remember Viz very well. I still see the odd copy too- it amuses me that people get paid to produce it- I could sit there all day and do that. Seriously though- if you have the proof you say; there really shouldn't be an issue. Just present them with the evidence you have- it's then up to them to prove you different. If by some obscure random chance it did get to court- it sounds like it'd get thrown out anyway once you prevent your evidence. If there are issues between yourself and your ex, make that a point in the interview- and that you can't / won't contact him because of those issues. It seems like your ex has told his employer your address, the employer has notifed the NI / Tax office who could have cross referenced it with the Benefits office. However- it is perfectly legal to have post/paperwork forwarded to an address that you don't live at (providing you have consent from the actual occupant): How'd you think Long Distance Truckers who live most of the year in their trucks get paperwork/banks accounts etc? Some of them forward them to a family member. Don''t get me started on Politicians The "issues" are non of their business anyway- and like I said, it's up to them to prove you wrong. They may contact your ex and interview him too- however if it was him who made the accusation, I doubt it would look too good in court having the informant who also would be a potential witness cross examined under caution by a couple of DWP Nazi stormtroopers.

I can babble a lot (see previous posting)!! You can get up and leave the interview- however, I think they could use that against you if they wanted to- such as "leaving the interview just as the nitty gritty questions were asked". In both of my interviews- I attended them myself. Best of luck if you do! However- I was told by a reliable source that answering all the questions does help you out. Avoiding questions and walking out whenever, doesn't. If they choose to go down the bullying route- a questioning tactic is to confront you with the facts- make it sound worse than it is and more or less blatantly accuse you of the crime. Things they look for is slip ups, contridiction, slip of the tongues, and avoiding certain words- (I am reliably informed- amazing what you learn in the film biz!) that when criminals are questioned (not saying you are one!) they tend to avoid using certain words to do with the crime they are accused- such as "Fraud", "Cheat", "Steal" or whatever. So they will ask you your side of the case, take notes, and then repeat the nitty facts- and if you slip up they are one you! I find it daft that many of the politicians who should be questioned for fiddling expenses haven't had to put up with this, apart from a few small fish who have been locked up. Best of luck, and keep us posted!

I went through this in 2002- simply for an administrative cockup at the council offices. I was claiming benefits while I was unemployed- once I started work, I notified the council of a change in circumstances- by letter (recorded). My landlord still continued to get rent payments for about 3 months after- which he didn't cash, and posted back to the council with a covering letter. I heard nothing until a letter from an Benefits Investigator dropped through the door, asking me to attend and "interview" under PACE 1984 (Police And Criminal Evidence act)- which is of course under caution. The interview itself was pretty much like a Police interview- and had a bit of a 'good cop' - 'bad cop' feel too it; one interviewer asked a few simple questions; the other blatantly accused me of outright fraud. Even after the fact I had notified them of my changes, and that my landlord had returned the payments. The interviewer even went to the depths of accusing my employer of "tipping me" off about the investigation. Which was total rubbish. In short- it seemed they were trying to bully me to just confess. Which I wasn't. However- I was in there for 1 hour; and awiated their decision by letter. 3 weeks later, I recieved another letter, to return for a 2nd interview. Which I did- this time the quiet interviewer was replaced with someone else- just as quiet. And I was subjected to the accusations again. This time, I chucked a file full of paperwork in front of them, showing copies of letters and correspondence between myself and the council and asked them to have a look through it. Which they didn't. That interview ended on the same note; about a month later I recieved a "tail between the legs" type letter saying they had closed to case, as my letter notifying the council of my changes had been sat on top of a filing cabinet for 6 months and not put onto the computer. Now- my advice to both of you (if you are anywhere near South Yorkshire I'd come with you myself!) is to answer ALL the questions you can, and ensure your facts are straight (you are allowed to take notes etc in)- as if you slip up, they'll will home in on that. If you answer ALL the questions- they will usually end the interview; but a classic interviewing tactic is to return to a couple of points they asked you about earlier to try and trip you up. The funny thing is, while I pointed out to the Interviewers that they should spend their time catching up with people who are blatantly claiming- and I could name a few. They had the cheek to ask me if I could disclose all of that information, so they could investigate it- I advised them that it was what they were paid to do- not me. But I stress- get your facts straight before you go in, take some notes etc- so they can't trip you up. You can get up and leave the interview at any moment in time- you are NOT under arrest- just CAUTION, which is totally different- the caution is basically a "be careful what you say, we're recording it to use in evidence". They make two recordings of the interview; 1 they keep (a working one), the other, you (or your solicitor) should take with you- keep that safe, just in case they call you back weeks/months later (you can keep your facts straight then too) I hope this advice helps- keep us posted on how you get on!

Ok a bit late in the year for a posting to this subjectbut, I have recently received a fancy stripey bit of paper also- asking me to phone and quote XXXX or they will arrange to send a 'representative' round to visit me- I assume the 'represantative' will be the type called "Daz" or "Gaz"- eaten one too many pies, sports a couple of faded eagle tattoos on each arm and has a shaved haircut? or is that what the TV biz does to you- make you cynical! However- seriously, the said debt, is only small, and something I am currently contesting via a solicitor- I received a letter from "Direct Legal" some months ago regarding the said debt of £55.00- I replied with a letter, stating I was contesting the amount and had referred the matter to a solicitor- also including their details so "Direct Legals" accounts can contact my solicitor directly for confirmation. My reply was posted recorded delivery- I had no response to this letter in any form (which was delivered- I did check), and now I receive this slip- which I will pass on to my solicitor. Has anyone on here also had similar experiences? I assume the offices of "Direct Legal" are either in-efficient or just plain arrogant?