Problem - Harassment templates from "Tax Credit Casualties"

[Good Intent]

Hi all


I have been battling for some time with Tax Credits. So have tens of thousands of people I know! Same old story. They are trying to claim back money from me [Their term is "Overpayment"] but this has been confirmed as an error on their part.


Twice, I have sat with a benefits advisor while they have rung tax credits for me, and tax credits say "Oh, yes, we can see what's happened - xyz has been incorrectly flagged".
I have written countless letter to all who have written to me [at least 3 departments], I have involved my MP and as a consequence they tried to get me to have a form completed by a medic stating that I cannot manage my money, which my MP, "urged" me to complete!
Reading this directive, I can see why!


DMBM585185 Preenforcement
http://www .hmrc.gov.uk/manuals/dmbmanual/DMBM585185.htm


That would give them justification to write the debt off and get the MP off their backs and the MP effectively has got a "Result" I sent the form back to them saying it was offensive and immoral, the problem had nothing to do with my money management, it was their error and I want them to admit their mistake and to admit that, " I have met my responsibilities and they have not met theirs".


On 13 February 15 I received a letter from HMRC Preston saying that they " .. apologise for any difficulties you have had as a result of our mistakes." !!! .... and that I will receive a letter from my MP in reply to my complaint.


The last letter I had from my MP was the one "Urging" me to get the form completed as it is "absolutely in my interests" - and that they had extended my deadline for completing it. This is after I sent the form back blank telling them it was inappropriate!


I have sent off a subject Access Request for all the info they have on me, and told them all I am doing that.


So there's an admission of "Mistakes" on 13 Feb, but then on 5 March I get a letter from "Past Due" Credit Solutions, acting on their behalf!!!


The problem I have ... is that in my last letters to the 3 departments within tax credits, I have used these "Harassment templates" see attached.
What I did not realise is that, There is no guidance as to what to do after that, and the site is now closed!
Quote
"If you are currently Disputing:

I feel that demanding repayment while people dispute constituents ‘harassment’, which is actually a criminal act. Basically I am now advising victims to threaten to make a criminal complaint of harassment. We haven’t actually got past the stage of just threatening yet, because so far we haven’t needed to."


Well I sent the letter to 3 depts/people at HMRC and they have gone on to pass my "Case" to a debt collector!
I can send the corresponding letter to the debt collector saying the same but ....


Can I actually report them to the police for harassment? The threat itself is useless if I can't follow through.


I understand that the site had to close due to the admin's illness and I should have seen that the advice stopped at the point of sending those threats out.


In my defence, this is not a game to me. It is making me really unwell. I am also trying to deal with a dispute with Adult Safeguarding/Care Quality/Commission/Office of Public Guardian about something her care home did which doesn't seem right. My mum had dementia and had a Power of Attorney who I don't think, did his job right. This is all since Mum died in November.


I suffer with chronic anxiety and depression and for the last year I have been having tests for severe head pains, MRI scan et
My head pains are exacerbated with all this and it has become a full time job - Meanwhile I have to attend work related activity meetings to qualify for my ESA. But tax credits are making it impossible for me to get well and make progress with any plans to try to support myself. I'm getting virtually no sleep and this is a real uphill struggle.


I am cross referencing everything, constantly researching, writing, scanning, copying, collating ,posting and yes, I missed the fact that these templates come to a dead end!


What do members think about these templates? and do any members know what the next step would be?


I am having enough trouble with this as it is and many of the sites created to help, are understandably, rebel orientated, and open up a whole new world of laws and language which I actually don''t have the brain power to comprehend. I don't feel well enough to fight and I need to try to get myself well but I'm embroiled in this and am not going to pay what I don't owe, especially as they seem to know what mistake they've made.


I haven't responded in anyway to Past Due Credit Solutions yet. I have prepared the template letter to them - see attached, and attached to that letter, a copy of the letter from HMRC admitting their "Mistakes". but I thought I'd hold fire sending it until I absolutely had to. I have not signed the letter to the DCA I've just "signed" it as my customer number, no name.
I know there's something about not signing stuff but I can't get my head around it all, I've too much else in my head.


Can someone tell me in simple terms what I do if they continue to ignore these template letters - attached, and continue harassing me.

[PAWS]

Re: Problem - Harassment templates from "Tax Credit Casualties"

Hello Good Intent.:high5:
I am sure one of the clever beagles will come along soon and give you some sound advice. It is perfectly natural to be worried sick with all that you have on your plate but you must not be so hard on yourself. It is a nightmare dealing with all the paperwork and covering your bum on every move but we all have learned that we have to do that when dealing with these people as they constantly renege on agreements. Grief + Worry + paperwork =mega headaches both actual and metaphorical!
There is good news; First of all if the MRI is clear then there is nothing sinister going on health wise. I assume you have also had blood tests so no serious health issues to add to your problems. These people can make your head ache but they can’t kill you.
Secondly you have come to the right place.:grouphug: This rotten time will end. Try to find some way of relaxing especially just before bed. Most of us soak up the caffeine when we are fretting but that can give you a shocking headache. Try keeping a flannel in the fridge, then lie down and place it on your eyes, temples and forehead when you fell a stinker coming on. If you can get your eyes tested as well. It probably is stress but always worth ruling out the old eye strain.:okay:

[Good Intent]

Re: Problem - Harassment templates from "Tax Credit Casualties"

Thanks for your kind words "Paws". Yes, I had my eyes re-tested, along with blood tests, CT scan, MRI scan and lumbar puncture. We thought it was IHP intracranial hypertension but it isn't ... apparently. It's diagnosed as a "Primary cough headache" for now. which makes it sound quite trivial but it's very debilitating and not that common. A build up of stress over the last couple of years has contributed I'm sure.
Unfortunately it does hinder me at times like this when it feels, metaphorically and physically, like I am bashing my head against a brick wall. I have the sense not to imbibe caffeine - just a third of a teaspoon in my decaff first thing, then it's decaff all the way and I do veg out for a couple of hours before bed - bed, that is, not sleep!
Back to the Care Home battle tomorrow!

I appreciate you making contact. x

Hello Good Intent.:high5:
I am sure one of the clever beagles will come along soon and give you some sound advice. It is perfectly natural to be worried sick with all that you have on your plate but you must not be so hard on yourself. It is a nightmare dealing with all the paperwork and covering your bum on every move but we all have learned that we have to do that when dealing with these people as they constantly renege on agreements. Grief + Worry + paperwork =mega headaches both actual and metaphorical!
There is good news; First of all if the MRI is clear then there is nothing sinister going on health wise. I assume you have also had blood tests so no serious health issues to add to your problems. These people can make your head ache but they can’t kill you.
Secondly you have come to the right place.:grouphug: This rotten time will end. Try to find some way of relaxing especially just before bed. Most of us soak up the caffeine when we are fretting but that can give you a shocking headache. Try keeping a flannel in the fridge, then lie down and place it on your eyes, temples and forehead when you fell a stinker coming on. If you can get your eyes tested as well. It probably is stress but always worth ruling out the old eye strain.:okay:

[PAWS]

Re: Problem - Harassment templates from "Tax Credit Casualties"

I will give this a bump anyway in case someone has some constructive advice.
Oh darling that is a classic tension headache. There are many relaxing remedies on the internet varying from the whacky to the bizarre but if you can try to find a good relaxation technique that suits you it could do wonders. Get down to boots and get some st John ’s Wort. Take one with your meal in the evening. It may help.

[Kati]

Re: Problem - Harassment templates from "Tax Credit Casualties"

for ease of reference ... the letters:


and:



unfortunately, I can offer no advice (:sorry but I do hope you get sorted soon hun! [MENTION=31453]PAWS[/MENTION]'s advice about St' John's Wort is good too tho'

K x

[vanman]

Re: Problem - Harassment templates from "Tax Credit Casualties"

i to had followed the
Tax Credit Casualties site

so far not needed to use the "Harassment templates"

http://www.legalbeagles.info/forums/...837#post499837

but here is some info from CAB it may shed some light.

http://www.adviceguide.org.uk/wales/..._creditors.htm
What counts as harassment by a creditor



If the creditor tries to do any of the following things to try and get you to pay back the money you owe, this could be considered harassment. They include:

• contacting you several times a day, or early in the morning or late at night
• pursuing you on social networking sites such as Twitter and Facebook
• putting pressure on you to sell your home or take out more credit
• using more than one debt collector at a time to chase you for payment
• not telling you if the debt has been passed on to a debt collection agency
• using paperwork or business logos that appear to be official when they’re not, for example sending you letters that look like court forms
• putting pressure on you to pay all the money off, or in larger instalments when you can't afford to
• threatening you physically or verbally
• ignoring you if you say you don't owe the money
• trying to embarrass you in public
• telling someone else about your debts or using another person to pass on messages, such as a neighbour or family member
• falsely claiming to work for the court or be a bailiff
• implying that legal action can be taken when it can't. For example, implying that your home can be taken from you without a court order
• giving the impression that court action has been taken against you when it hasn't
• giving the impression that not paying the debt is a criminal offence. For most debts, it is not a criminal offence if you don't pay them.

[FlamingParrot]

Re: Problem - Harassment templates from "Tax Credit Casualties"

I've also had a few DCAs hassling me over alleged tax credits overpayments but they've all given up the ghost by now. I sent each a single letter stating my position, then ignored their prolific missives and txts. So far so good. ray:

The alleged overpayment dates back to 2010-2011, there's never been a statement of account or anything showing how the figure was arrived at, just demands for payment.