Tax Credit Fraud and I Work for DWP

[poppyhale]

Five years ago me and my youngest childs father separated. I carried on working for the DWP but began to claim Tax Credits. Then back about 2 and a half years ago I had cancer and had to have surgery, chemo and radiotherapy. My childs father was very good while I was ill. I was off work for about 10months and I got behind with the mortgage and other bills and was really struggling. Me and my then ex partner decided to give it another go. He was only working part time and neither of us were able to catch up with the bills so we decided to carry on claiming Tax Credits for a while longer. We should have changed to a joint claim but we never got around to this. My oldest daughter went to University last September so I phoned Tax Credits to let them know so they would take her off the claim but still did not change my original claim. A few weeks ago I had a letter from the Tax compliance team who asked for various paperwork. I sent the paperwork and have since spoke to one of there team who seems to think I never phoned them about my daughter which I swear I did. I did tell him to listen to the phone call which Im hoping he will. Also he wanted to know how come I am receiving post for my partner and where is he living if not with myself ? Instead of telling the truth I lied and said he still does not live with me but basically the person from Tax Credit said he did not believe me. He then asked me had I been on any family holidays with my partner and I said no. I have my mother paid for my partner, herself, my children and me to go on holiday 3 months after I returned to work after being so ill. They are phoning back next week and I just want to tell the truth. I will go to court ,lose my job and I am so ashamed at what I have done. I have not slept or ate anything properly since and I am at the end of my tether. They will probably send me to prison and it is all my own fault. I cannot bear to be away from my children. What should I do?

[i hate bailiffs]

others will be along that know more

 

i expect they will want money payed back

i doubt they will send you to prison

[honeybee13]

Hello and welcome to CAG.

 

I'll move your thread to the HMRC forum, which is where we deal with tax credits queries. You will find other people with the same problem as you.

 

My best, HB

[poppyhale]

Could somebody please get back to me about this? Still not eating and sleeping. My nerves are terrible . Need to know should I just tell the truth ? Really do not want to lose my job and end up with a criminal record.

[lis79]

I hope you feel better soon. Try not to be too hard on yourself.

In terms of the phone call they say never happened - you could request a subject access request, and they should send you a cd of all phone calls with the tax credit office. I suppose you could try and find a record of phone history - but know that's not easy when it's so long ago.

 

Have you read the civil investigation and criminal investigation policy on HMRC website:

http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/taxcredits/things-go-wrong/complaints-appeals/fraud.htm

 

There are some very knowledgeable people on here, who go out of there way to help people so I hope someone will come along soon for you. Have you tried the CAB - they can be good, and usually have direct number to a supervisor. You could just get them to ask a question in principle anonymously - 'will I be prosecuted if I go back on my story now' for example. Get them to give answers to a hypothetical case.

As I said, don't beat yourself up about it too much - people make mistakes. I can understand why someone would panic during a telephone call and just go into denial mode. I've read on this forum sometimes that the tax credit office staff can be quite understanding sometimes. Anyway, you clearly regret it now, and I've just read the info from the link above and it seems that it goes in your favour if you co operate. I really wish I could tell you exactly what to do to sort it out It's true that tax credit fraud is prosecuted less than Dwp/housing benefit fraud though - at least this is in your favour.

Edited August 11, 2012 by lis79

[shelllanc]

hi firstly dont panic, you have been through far worse Im sure. I work for Citizens Advice, as a law advisor, and we get clients in all the time like yourself, we are also good at helping deal with this kind of problem and any pending appeal against overpayment. I urge you to go to them, if you go to a bigger one that has caseworkers you will find them very helpful. Also may I suggest that you dont panic, as this is what FTC expect you to do, which saves them work in the long run. Ultimately its better to be honest in the first place, but if you were entitled to the benefit anyway with your partner then they may use their discretion and offset any amount against any overpayment for the period you were paid as a single claimant. You can request telephone records if it goes to appeal so if you notified them it should be noted, although I would always urge people to notify DWP or Tax Credits in writing and keep a copy as an extra back up, as its amazing how many "go missing"

I hope you get it sorted,

[poppyhale]

Thank you so much for answering my post. I will contact CAB first thing on Monday morning.

[poppyhale]

I am also wondering whether I should put my notice in at the DWP as I could not bare everyone to know what I have done? Do you think they will contact them? I have some wonderful work mates and love my job I could not bare being called in the office and then having to be escorted off my work place by security.I have been such a idiot I cant believe I just did not claim jointly because I do not think my income would have been much less as how low my partners income has been. I suggest anybody out there doing the same thing contact the FTC and change your claim. It is not worth all the stress and misery.

[MIKEY DABODEE]

No, dont put your notice in yet, I think first you need to get some help from CAB, and see how the investigation pans out with HMRC then

I would speak to the Union about this first as well, they are brilliant believe me

The union will help and advice you. Please see them as soon as you can.. They can tell you what the worse case scenerio would be in regards to your job and it will be confidential...

Also we have a helpline dont we, CARE I think its called they listen and give advice , its confidential as well

You must be in an awful place right now but you can come through this.

 

 

How on earth did they know you had been on holiday its scary

They have access to your credit file and partners

Edited August 12, 2012 by MIKEY DABODEE

[poppyhale]

I suppose the compliance team must be able to look at HMRC computer system which connects to the passport office or something. When I panicked and tried to deny a holiday he told me to remember that he worked for HMRC so I admitted to it. After I have been to CAB I will speak to the union. Im so angry with myself never done anything like this before and I love my job so much. Will never get another job with such nice friends who were brill to me when I was ill.

[MIKEY DABODEE]

Please dont be angry with yourself, you have coped with a lot in the last few years.

You are right the best thing about the place is the people who work there

If your partner has not been working you have been overpaid and underpaid as well.

See CAB, then wait to see what HMRC then see the union.

Whats your line managaer and HEO like?

They will know you, what you have been through and with the Unions help you could be ok,

You will not be escorted from the building believe me

[poppyhale]

My line manager is wonderful could not ask for a nicer person but my HEO is a bit hit and miss. Depends what mood she is in. They all know how ill I was so I think they will be understanding. Thank you for being so kind.

[Hope123]

Hi poppyhale

 

Have you had any update x

[poppyhale]

Hi, spoke to CAB not able to help me really except to say there was a good solicitor in the town near me who deals with benefit fraud. Contacted the solicitor who I spoke to on phone and she was lovely. She said that Tax Credit do not usually prosecute so I hope they will not try making an example of me. Have an appointment with her next Tuesday. She told me when the compliance team contact me to tell them Im taking legal advice and if they have a problem give them her phone number. They have not phoned me as arranged but I am sure they will probably contact me soon to say my money has been stopped. Do not know how we will cope without the money but im sure we are able to put in a joint claim. Will let you know what happens at solicitors and when I receive a letter from compliance team. Trying to keep calm . x

[Hope123]

Hope it goes well, let us know the outcome, a lot of us going through the same x

[Hope123]

Hi poppyhale, how did you get on? x

[Hope123]

Hi poppyhale , how are you?

[What should I do?]

Does anyone know what happened with poppyhale's case?

 

Hope she is OK & everything worked out.