Anxious

[Candymay]

Hi this is my first ever post on a forum like this so please be kind. I am feeling really anxious and stressed and I feel very ashamed of my inability to deal with stress well.

Today has been awful because this morning I got a letter from a fraud investigator. This is because I am trying to buy a property and they want more information about my finances.

The thing is that I haven’t committed any fraud (that I am aware of! Always uncertain that I’ve done everything correctly but I think that’s my normal self doubt.)

I know that the letter is something they send regularly and therefore I should not be panicked. Even so I have had an awful day because of it. I have made lots of phone calls trying to get through to speak to someone- no luck. And lots of panicked emails to my solicitor etc.

The worst part of this is that my two children have not had my full attention. I cancelled a day out with them after receiving the letter. And I really feel so bad about myself and my inability to cope when things come along to rock the boat. I have been cross and snappy with them and it’s unfair. They are unaware of what’s going on in my life.

So as to try to tell the story properly and not annoy anyone- I am trying to buy my flat from the council. I have told them I wish to buy. I haven’t secured a mortgage yet. They (fraud department) say they want to see all my accounts and evidence of how I have savings and also they want a letter from the mortgage lender. I don’t have this because I haven’t found a mortgage yet. I already gave them my latest bank account statements but they say they want to see how I saved up and to show them evidence of this. It seems like I might have to show statements going back years. It just feels overwhelming.

I’ve rambled on so much because I’m so down. I can’t find anything to take my mind off things.

I feel I am crazy for being so stressed.

For what it’s worth- I have not committed fraud.
I have saved very hard from my legitimate income.
I have claimed working tax credit legitimately.
I have not claimed any other benefits.
I have no proof of my business accounts but I know I can get them quite easily (I checked this today).
But here I am again feeling like my life is totally terrifying. I wish I could be a better person.

I am very lonely and don’t have a social circle or any family that I can turn to.

Thank you for reading.

I’m not surprised you are finding it stressful but I imagine the letter is sent out to lots of people. If you comply and explain everything, exactly as you have in your OP, I’m sure it will be fine. The department that wrote to you will probably have a tick sheet of information they need from you and once received, all confirmed to be ok, then they will let you know.

It’s horrible to feel you are being accused of something, especially fraud.

There is a legal requirement now for banks and building societies to provide a paper trail showing where funds used to purchase property came from. In addition, your bank like to see evidence of you saving regularly if you are applying for a mortgage.

It is nothing to do with you personally, they are not accusing you of anything....it's just standard procedure to ensure money isn't being laundered.

Promise!

Thank you both. I have no faith in myself. Really starting to feel depressed now. I’ve just managed to make cakes for the children though so I feel good about that.

Yes.

They want proof of savings accounts and views of money going in regularly.

That's it.

Try to blank your mind . Use mindfulness . Distract yourself .x

This is what I’m terrible at. Distraction feels impossible. I’m trying to find anything on tv. Anything nice. But my life long habit is to obsess and feel depressed. Thank you though

Thank you, do you think I need to provide accounts going right back to when I started my savings? Or will the income and savings from the last year do?

When I applied for a mortgage recently I only needed statements going back three months. However, this was done via my bank so they could see most of my financial transactions anyway via my main account - including a regular payment from my employer. It may be different for you depending on your personal situation - so if you are self-employed, for instance, they may need more information going back further.

If the letter doesn't make it clear, I would ring them to check exactly what they want from you.

It’s because I’m buying my council flat. They want to know more details than would go into an ordinary purchase. That’s why it feels so intrusive and challenging and personal.

The person who wrote to me is on annual leave for two weeks now!