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Original poster

Paid someone else's JSA

60 replies

Moonfig · 31/07/2020 13:00

The DWP have paid me someone elses JSA (i don't claim this) and I've spoken to 4 people in 2 different departments and haven't got anywhere yet. Meanwhile someone is waiting on their benefits payment.

I'm frustrated - they seemed genuinely surprised by me calling. How can they not be setup to have a process when this happens?!

Anyone got any advice? I obviously won't spend the cash but im concerned they don't do anything to take it back then come chasing and blaming me in 6 months time.

OP posts:
Original poster
Moonfig · 31/07/2020 13:14

I'm going to cry.

The person who made the claim gave the wrong bank details. DWP can't do anything and now I have to call my bank to reverse the transaction.

I don't have time for this shit. Why am I chasing around after some guy I don't even know who can't get his own bank details correct?!

Obviously I will do this, but i'm bloody annoyed about spending more time sorting this. Because he gave the wrong details the DWP count it as paid and until I get it returned they will not repay him.

OP posts:
sashh · 31/07/2020 13:16

The credit to your account will have a national insurance number on it.

Below is the recovery account for the DWP, I'd make an automated payment to it (quoting the NI number) with a note if your bank allows it to say what it is.

I'd then send a letter recorded delivery saying you have made the payment and why, then leave it up to them to sort out.

DWP

6 0 - 7 0 - 8 0

1 0 0 2 5 6 3 4

Original poster
Moonfig · 31/07/2020 13:28

The bank are treating it as fraud and cannot reverse the transaction.

Yep, the NI number is how I know it's not for me. I'm not making the payment with anything but my NI number - I don't trust that they'll tie up where it came from even with a letter.

OP posts:

Interested in this thread?

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Benefits
Original poster
Moonfig · 31/07/2020 14:56

Bumping in case anyone has experienced this before.

Debt team won't take the money back.

OP posts:
TowandaForever · 31/07/2020 14:58

It's not necessarily the persons fault. The Dwp could have entered the persons details incorrectly. Maybe someone mis read a digit.

Soubriquet · 31/07/2020 15:01

Ah jeez that’s a nightmare

I would be panicking if I was the recipient waiting for the money

I can’t believe how useless they are about it.

You know they would be after you like a hound on a scent if they were actively trying to recover the money

Original poster
Moonfig · 31/07/2020 15:03

@TowandaForever

It's not necessarily the persons fault. The Dwp could have entered the persons details incorrectly. Maybe someone mis read a digit.
They've confirmed the claimant gave the wrong bank info so that's his fault. But the rest of this shit show isn't.
OP posts:
myusernamewastakenbyme · 31/07/2020 15:05

Why are you chasing them and getting stressed out....id leave well alone and let them do the work in getting it back.

Original poster
Moonfig · 31/07/2020 15:06

@Soubriquet

Ah jeez that’s a nightmare

I would be panicking if I was the recipient waiting for the money

I can’t believe how useless they are about it.

You know they would be after you like a hound on a scent if they were actively trying to recover the money

Exactly and they've told me if I don't pay it back he won't get his money as they have paid him how he told them to.

I'm really stressed about it - I feel like it's been put on me to fix and I can't even get through to the DWP. I hope the guy doesn't think that someone has his money and isn't trying to get it back to him.

OP posts:
midnightstar66 · 31/07/2020 15:06

They've confirmed the claimant gave the wrong bank info so that's his fault. But the rest of this shit show isn't.

They would do that wouldn't they. The claimant will have the misfortune of trying to deal with it and will need to get a budgeting loan or emergency help from council or something for now. You've let them and bank know so leave them to sort it. You don't need the stress

Original poster
Moonfig · 31/07/2020 15:10

@myusernamewastakenbyme

Why are you chasing them and getting stressed out....id leave well alone and let them do the work in getting it back.
Because legally I have to try my best to get it back to them.

Morally i've been told this guy won't get his payment until they get it back from me - I would hate to be in that position and reliant on someone elses honesty. So of course I'm trying to return it.

I've phoned a huge number of times now and have screenshots so feel ive exhausted what I can do. I have also put in a formal complaint so I'll just hang onto it now until they come chasing for it back.

OP posts:
midnightstar66 · 31/07/2020 15:25

Sadly anyone on benefits is well used to this kind of mess up and everyone you speak to will tell you/them something different anyway. You've done what you can. There will be short term help available to them and they'll still get housing/ TC etc separately

Soubriquet · 31/07/2020 15:27

I doubt they would admit they fucked up anyway

Much rather say “oh sorry but Mr Smith gave us this number” instead of “Mr Jones entered in Mr Smiths number incorrectly”

This means it’s on you to give it back instead of them taking it back.

Doyouwantanothercuppa · 31/07/2020 15:31

Once the person realised their money hasn’t been paid, they can call DWP. DWP can check the bank details used vs. the bank details they were given. If it is DWP’s error it can be repaid to the customer. If the customer gave the wrong bank details, it can’t be repaid but the next payment will go to the right place.

EatsShootsAndRuns · 31/07/2020 15:32

And the shittiest thing it's happened on a Friday so someone has a whole weekend before it might start to be resolved.

Original poster
Moonfig · 31/07/2020 15:38

@Doyouwantanothercuppa

Once the person realised their money hasn’t been paid, they can call DWP. DWP can check the bank details used vs. the bank details they were given. If it is DWP’s error it can be repaid to the customer. If the customer gave the wrong bank details, it can’t be repaid but the next payment will go to the right place.
He's already called in about it - because it's not the DWP's error he will lose this payment. However apparently if I give it back they'll repay him it. They have also told me the man's name (whats a data breach between friends...)

However, I cant get them to take the money.

OP posts:
lilylion · 31/07/2020 15:54

Just call your bank and ask them to do a bacs reversal. It’s super super straightforward to do

Original poster
Moonfig · 31/07/2020 16:01

@lilylion

Just call your bank and ask them to do a bacs reversal. It’s super super straightforward to do
I have, they said they are unable to reverse a credit, only a debit.

They have said they can't do anything and I need to put it back on the DWP to sort which I've tried.

OP posts:
killerofmen · 31/07/2020 16:09

You've made a reasonable attempt to return the money. I wouldn't make anymore contact with them and put £160 aside to cover it if the contact you in the future.

midnightstar66 · 31/07/2020 16:26

Absolutely insane they don't have a simple procedure for this - but I'm not surprised. If you have his name could you track him down?

SconesJamthenCream · 31/07/2020 16:32

Try sending an email to [email protected]

Original poster
Moonfig · 31/07/2020 16:37

@midnightstar66

Absolutely insane they don't have a simple procedure for this - but I'm not surprised. If you have his name could you track him down?
I tried but I wouldn't be happy transferring to him directly as I could be asked later on down the line for it back via DWP.

I got through again and won't be calling them again. The lady was lovely and said they have no mechanism for taking payment and I'm under no obligation to pay it back (wtf). I may here from them at a later date and be asked if I would return it but won't be required to. She also said it's not my problem and I shouldn't have been told that. If the guy gave wrong details then he needs to fix it out and if they did it wrong they'll repay him.

Not happy about this and will not be spending the money!

OP posts:
sashh · 31/07/2020 16:37

Cab you go to the police? You have the name and NI number, I'm not sure what they could do other than create a paper trail.

The chances are it is the same sort code but a different account number which means it is probably someone who banks at the same bank and branch.

I know a bank can't give you details but you might be able to contact this person and ask for permission to give you his number.

As a DWP claimant thank you. These things can really put you in a difficult situation.

Blankspace4 · 31/07/2020 16:43

Don’t bother the police with something like this!

You’ve made absolute best endeavours to sort it out. I’d transfer the money out to a savings acc or ringfence it in another way and wait for direction from DWP. You may hear nothing ever again, in which case, in your shoes I’d donate the money to a food bank in 12 months time.

You have done nothing wrong here whatsoever and in fact have gone out of your way to try and resolve.

8dayweek · 31/07/2020 17:03

If your local Jobcentre is open (usually by appointment only at the moment) you can pay the cash back to their Finance office using the NINo on your bank statement (you will be issued a receipt) and then it should be reconciled and can be reissued etc.

Also, to everyone convinced DWP staff are sat palm mashing the keyboard instead of inputting the bank details supplied... most claims are now done online and thus information viewable (unless actual manual intervention is required) is redacted bar the last 2 / 4 digits.

"God it's such a faff, why does it ask me three times if the information is right..." - Hmmm... I wonder!