HiThanks for all your advice, I have spoken to a lawyer this afternoon who is going to be taking over my case and he has advised for me not to speak to tax credits, as they will deal with it for me on my behalf. So hopefully i might now be able to see the light at the end of the tunnel.

Hi RubyThey state they are looking into 10/11 claim, they gave me the income i had declared and then put the income that i didnt declare. Shall i just wait to see what they do next as it states in the letter if i disagree then call them by the 7th october and if they dont hear from me they wil go of the income they have and may charge a penalty...i dont know what to do

Hi RubyWhat do you suggest ? i have a feeling when they realise that i lied about my income for 10/11 they will check into my current and past credits......i dont know if to own up now or wait till they write back to me....as in the letter they have not asked me to call them all it states is if i dont call them by the 7th October they will amend my claim with the information they hold and i may be liable for a penalty also it states if they feel as if i have commmited a criminal offence they may do a criminal investigation and prosecute....i am so worried. I dont want to incriminate myself any further

Should i call the compliance number which is a 020 number euston tower or the tax credit helpline number to tell them everything, or would you suggest wait for them to come back to me ? thanks

Thank you everyone for taking the time out to respond....I feel like i want to give up, just so scared of going to court and being sent down and to see the look of my 2 children....I really dont know what to do for the best, does anyone know what sort of sentance i would get for this ie time in prison.....i know what i have done is wrong and i am so ashamed will not be able to look a member of my family in there eyes again....given the amount of money overpayed i cant seeing them doing anything but prosecuiting me i just feel so alone at the moment and keep thinking will it be for the best for me to diassappear but then i am thinking of my children

My partner does and always has lived me, just that i have never declared her income.....i feel sick and so ashamed......i have not even told my partner yet as i know it will break her with the thought of us being put away and our children taken away i dont think she will be able to cope.....we have already been through a rough time over the years losing our house and recently we have had death threats which the police are dealiing with, i was off work last year through anxiety and depression.....i dont know where to start i dont if i should wait for them to start the enquiry which is tommorow and when they ask questiion is to give them what they want....i am so scared.

Please help me, We have been claiming tax credits for the last 11/12 years and have never declared my partners income. last friday the dreaded letter appeared in the post, advising that the income didnt match up and they are doing a enquiry on my 2010/11 claim, they have not asked me to send in any details just that if i dont phone them before the 7th October they will amend my award with the details they hold and will have to pay a penalty.....also on the letter it states if they may prosecute, i know what i have done is stupid but i really do not want me or my partner to go to prison i am so frightened of losing my kids........could some one please give me some advice on what i should do ? i am really scared and dont think i can cope any longer.....i have been working it out and i think i have been overpayed by £80,000 please please help