Jump to content


  • Tweets

  • Posts

    • "We suffer more in imagination than in reality" - really pleased this all happened. Settled by TO, full amount save as to costs and without interest claimed. I consider this a success but feel free to move this thread to wherever it's appropriate. I say it's a success because when I started this journey I was in a position of looking to pay interest on all these accounts, allowing them to default stopped that and so even though I am paying the full amount, it is without a doubt reduced from my position 3 years ago and I feel knowing this outcome was possible, happy to gotten this far, defended myself in person and left with a loan with terms I could only dream of, written into law as interest free! I will make better decisions in the future on other accounts, knowing key stages of this whole process. We had the opportunity to speak in court, Judge (feels like just before a ruling) was clear in such that he 'had all the relevant paperwork to make a judgement'. He wasn't pleased I hadn't settled before Court.. but then stated due to WS and verbal arguments on why I haven't settled, from my WS conclusion as follows: "11. The Defendant was not given ample evidence to prove the debt and therefore was not required to enter settlement negotiations. Should the debt be proved in the future, the Defendant is willing to enter such negotiations with the Claimant. "  He offered to stand down the case to give us chance to settle and that that was for my benefit specifically - their Sols didn't want to, he asked me whether I wanted to proceed to judgement or be given the opportunity to settle. Naturally, I snapped his hand off and we entered negotiations (took about 45 minutes). He added I should get legal advice for matters such as these. They were unwilling to agree to a TO unless it was full amount claimed, plus costs, plus interest. Which I rejected as I felt that was unfair in light of the circumstances and the judges comments, I then countered with full amount minus all costs and interest over 84 months. They accepted that. I believe the Judge wouldn't have been happy if they didn't accept a payment plan for the full amount, at this late stage. The judge was very impressed by my articulate defence and WS (Thanks CAG!) he respected that I was wiling to engage with the process but commented only I  can know whether this debt is mine, but stated that Civil cases were based on balance of probabilities, not without shadow of a doubt, and all he needs to determine is whether the account existed. Verbal arguments aside; he has enough evidence in paperwork for that. He clarified that a copy of a DN and NOA is sufficient proof based on balance of probabilities that they were served. I still disagree, but hey, I'm just me.. It's definitely not strict proof as basically I have to prove the negative (I didn't receive them/they were not served), which is impossible. Overall, a great result I think! BT  
    • Seeking further advice now. The 33 days in which the defendant has to submit a defence expires at 16:00 tomorrow. The defendant has submitted an acknowledgement of service but looking to get the claim awarded by default in failure to submit the defence. This is MoneyClaim Online and can see an option to request a default judgement but believe that is for failure to acknowledge the claim within 14 days??  So being MoneyClaim Online, how do I request the claim be awarded in my favour?
    • Have to agree with the above Health and safety legislation is specific in that the service provider in so far as is reasonably practicable, the health, safety and welfare at work of all his employees and those not in the employ of the business. You claim is like saying you slipped in the swimming pool area while taking a dip. As rightly stated by by the leisure centre, a sports hall has dedicated equipment and you yourself personally have a legal obligation in mitigating danger or injury to yourself by taking account of your immediate surroundings. Where your claim will fail is if it is reasonable and proportionate to impose liability of the Leisure Centre? The answer has to be no.
  • Recommended Topics

  • Our picks

    • If you are buying a used car – you need to read this survival guide.
      • 1 reply
    • Hello,

      On 15/1/24 booked appointment with Big Motoring World (BMW) to view a mini on 17/1/24 at 8pm at their Enfield dealership.  

      Car was dirty and test drive was two circuits of roundabout on entry to the showroom.  Was p/x my car and rushed by sales exec and a manager into buying the mini and a 3yr warranty that night, sale all wrapped up by 10pm.  They strongly advised me taking warranty out on car that age (2017) and confirmed it was honoured at over 500 UK registered garages.

      The next day, 18/1/24 noticed amber engine warning light on dashboard , immediately phoned BMW aftercare team to ask for it to be investigated asap at nearest garage to me. After 15 mins on hold was told only their 5 service centres across the UK can deal with car issues with earliest date for inspection in March ! Said I’m not happy with that given what sales team advised or driving car. Told an amber warning light only advisory so to drive with caution and call back when light goes red.

      I’m not happy to do this, drive the car or with the after care experience (a sign of further stresses to come) so want a refund and to return the car asap.

      Please can you advise what I need to do today to get this done. 
       

      Many thanks 
      • 81 replies
    • Housing Association property flooding. https://www.consumeractiongroup.co.uk/topic/438641-housing-association-property-flooding/&do=findComment&comment=5124299
      • 161 replies
    • We have finally managed to obtain the transcript of this case.

      The judge's reasoning is very useful and will certainly be helpful in any other cases relating to third-party rights where the customer has contracted with the courier company by using a broker.
      This is generally speaking the problem with using PackLink who are domiciled in Spain and very conveniently out of reach of the British justice system.

      Frankly I don't think that is any accident.

      One of the points that the judge made was that the customers contract with the broker specifically refers to the courier – and it is clear that the courier knows that they are acting for a third party. There is no need to name the third party. They just have to be recognisably part of a class of person – such as a sender or a recipient of the parcel.

      Please note that a recent case against UPS failed on exactly the same issue with the judge held that the Contracts (Rights of Third Parties) Act 1999 did not apply.

      We will be getting that transcript very soon. We will look at it and we will understand how the judge made such catastrophic mistakes. It was a very poor judgement.
      We will be recommending that people do include this adverse judgement in their bundle so that when they go to county court the judge will see both sides and see the arguments against this adverse judgement.
      Also, we will be to demonstrate to the judge that we are fair-minded and that we don't mind bringing everything to the attention of the judge even if it is against our own interests.
      This is good ethical practice.

      It would be very nice if the parcel delivery companies – including EVRi – practised this kind of thing as well.

       

      OT APPROVED, 365MC637, FAROOQ, EVRi, 12.07.23 (BRENT) - J v4.pdf
        • Like
  • Recommended Topics

In a mess with tax credits, unsure how to proceed


cat1982
style="text-align: center;">  

Thread Locked

because no one has posted on it for the last 4218 days.

If you need to add something to this thread then

 

Please click the "Report " link

 

at the bottom of one of the posts.

 

If you want to post a new story then

Please

Start your own new thread

That way you will attract more attention to your story and get more visitors and more help 

 

Thanks

Recommended Posts

Hi, firstly apologies if I have posted this in the wrong place, 1st time here.

I am looking for some advice as I am in a total mess of a situation and feel unsure what would be the best way to go to correct it all.

Basically, I have claimed my tax credits as single when alot of the time I shouldn't have been doing. I know I have done wrong and feel so ashamed of myself, Im not looking for sympathy as I know I should never have lied. I am so so scared, apart from this I have never done anything wrong in my life, and in all other ways I am a law-abiding person, which doesn't excuse what I have done I know.

I first claimed back in July 07 when my 1st son was 6 months old and I returned to work part time. I was with his father but it was very on/off at the time and it was a huge struggle so I claimed as single as I was desperate to go back to work but couldnt see it being worth it without having a big help with my childcare costs (my sons father refused to help as he didnt really want me to return to my job)

I continued to claim this way, although I regularly asked my partner to let me do it properly and claim as a couple but he always went mad and refused as he had alot of previous debts he didnt want to catch up with him so he has always wanted to keep himself 'hidden'.

We had a 2nd son in June 2010 and shortly before that we moved into a house (the mortgage is in mine and my fathers name) I was on maternity leave from work from the beginning of June 10 until April 11 and was recieving maternity allowence as my hours at work werent enough fot stat maternity pay from my employer.

A couple of months ago I recieved a letter from HM Revenue & Customs entitled "Is your single claim correct?" I believe these are standard letters they sent out to single claiments from what I have read online. I didnt respond to the letter but recieved another about a month ago saying my claim for April 10-April 11 had been selected for review and requesting bank statements, childcare invoices, copy of mortgage, childrens birth certificates etc. Again I didnt immediately respond, but rang tax credits yesterday as I needed to change my employer details, but they said I had to phone the number on the review letter I recieved (Compliance team). I rang them and spoke to a lady who confirmed all I need to send them in order to close the review, she said it was a random check but also and due to the fact that I made alot (there were 5/6 I think) changes to my childcare over the last year (they were due to my eldest leaving his private nursery to attend the school nursery and then costs changing and my 2nd son starting childcare).

I dont think they are 'on to me' properly yet, but I know they will quickly see I have claimed wrongly once I send in the paperwork they require as my partners name is on the birth certificates and our address is down as being the same and all the invoices from my sons old private nursery are addressed to us both at the same address.

I know I deserve to be caught, and in all honesty I actually feel quite relieved at the thought of not having to be dis-honest anymore, as despite how it may seem, it is really not my nature and I have never been happy with doing it but have felt as if it was the only way I could continue to work as it would have been unaffordable otherwise.

I just dont know what to do now though, obviously there is no way they wont notice and I really just want to be honest and face it, but how do I go about it and what is likely to happen to me and my family?

Do I just ring tax credits and say I want to admit to claiming falsely for the last almost 4 yrs? What will happen then if I do? Will I get arrested? Im terrified, I keep thinking Im going to be made an example of due to the fact I live in a nice house (although thats down to my dad buying it an helping out) and be imprisoned and be put in all the papers and I have ruind my childrens lives because everyone will know as we live in a village and people will be cruel to them. I am in an absolute state, feel sick, cant stop crying and havent slept with worry. Will it work in my favour at all if Im admitting it before they discover it at all, or will it be just as bad as they will know I am doing it knowing there is no option not to?

Im so sorry for what Ive done, and always knew this day would come if I didnt stop but it was so hard to see a way through without the extra money to get by.

I am also pregnant again and scared stiff at the thought of being put in prison and having to have my baby in there. I hate myself for bringing this on my kids and feel petrified at thinking I may have to leave them because of what Ive done. I only wanted the best for them and wanted to work part time instead of full so I could spend time with them but now I have ruined everything.

Link to post
Share on other sites

You need to contact a solicitor/ welfare rights ASAP.

 

The sooner you own up the better, you might just have to pay it back with no further action.

They could look at it favourably you coming forward.

 

But the might as look at it as you're only owning up as they were going to catch you anyway.

So it's not that you're being honest, it's you're hoping they will go easy on you.

Link to post
Share on other sites

Thanks, I know it doesn't look good and I look like a terrible person, but I'm really not. I never thought I would do anything like this, prior to having my kids I always worked full time and paid my taxes resenting the people claiming falsely, never thought I would end up becoming one of them. It's just too easy to see it as a way of having a bit extra to get by, I'm ashamed I was so weak. Im not a confident person at all and far too easily pushed into doing wrong on this occasion. I just don't know how I will cope with it all, I can't even stop crying to talk to anyone about it, hence writing on here. I know it's all deserved though.

Link to post
Share on other sites

It's going to tough in the shortterm with the waiting on what will happen.

 

Hopefully they will just order a repayment, and you will have to pay the wrongly claimed money back.

 

 

They could also charge you with fraud, but I do believe that there is less chance of that happening than with HMRC (tax credits) than DWP (Income support etc)

Link to post
Share on other sites

hi cat, I think the situation you’re in is one that the Tax Credits people will be familiar with, so I hope they’ll be reasonable.

Some ideas on who to contact:

- Tax Credit Casualties – taxcc.org

- Try Googling to find your nearest Claimants’ Union

Good luck,

Andy

Link to post
Share on other sites

They certainly do seem to go easier on people, the tax credits, than people on income support etc. Which is wrong in my opinion, they are both exactly the same crime really. Yet tax credit fiddles are waaaay more common.

Possibly depends on the amount though too, which is possibly the only similarity in the way they deal with it.

CAB would be good to visit about it. They have helped a few people on here.

Link to post
Share on other sites

  • 1 year later...
They certainly do seem to go easier on people, the tax credits, than people on income support etc. Which is wrong in my opinion, they are both exactly the same crime really. Yet tax credit fiddles are waaaay more common.

Possibly depends on the amount though too, which is possibly the only similarity in the way they deal with it.

CAB would be good to visit about it. They have helped a few people on here.

 

I have just received a letter having wrongly claiming as a single person, I was in a right state, couldn't sleep, eat felt sick, after reading replies in here I decided to take the bull by the horns and call them.

 

I spoke to a very understanding man at Preston office, who asked me if I was indeed living with someone, I said yes I was, I showed remorse for what I'd done, explained I'd always thought of myself as a single mum, even when living with my partner. I am not going to court, I will not have my children taken away from me, he explained that I'd taken the hardest step already and I would have to pay the money that I'd had as overpayment back and that would be it.

 

I'm waiting for a letter to say what I need to pay and when and that's the end of it

Link to post
Share on other sites

  • Recently Browsing   0 Caggers

    • No registered users viewing this page.

  • Have we helped you ...?


×
×
  • Create New...