To think this call centre worker was in a horrible mood?

[4leafclover]

To day I received a letter from hm revenues which stated that I owed some money from 2008

I contacted them straight away as this is the first I have heard of it and wanted to get it paid off.
I cannot afford to pay the amount in full so I was looking for a suitable payment method.

I asked for them to take it out of my current ctc payments but she couldn't do that due to it being a joint claim even if my partner agreed to it
I told her I have trouble paying through dd and what was the other payment options I could use.
Her reply was either post office giro, I explained I currently cannot get to the post office as I have really bad hip & pelvis problems and I have to go up hill to it. I then suggested that I pay it online or by payment card at the shop but this wasn't available. I then look at the letter that I received and it states that I can pay over the telephone or online, I tell her this and she says yes you can but I didn't want to give you them options because they don't always work
Well at least let me try
So all that was sorted, we then started discussing how much I can pay weekly, I asked her to give me an amount and she just kept on telling me the full amount instead of a minimum payment. How childish!!
She then asked if there was any changes I'm going to be making in the next 12 months and I replied with not that I know of..her reply
"Ok then I will just put that you may leave your partner to be able to
have money deducted"
I dropped that clever comment I thought to myself just keep calm and you can call back later and change that!!
I then asked her if she could explain to me why my partners name doesn't appear on the joint claim claim letters and if this was a problem? She said it could be something to do with him being mentally ill!! Wtf seriously
I put the phone down in tears, how can she think my partner wouldn't have his name on a letter because he is ill, it doesn't make him that much different from everyone else, he has depression issues, he's not a monster

I'm expecting to be unreasonable on some accounts but surely she should have better manners.

Sorry for it being long and all the typos

I dont really understand the issues aroubd the money youowe but you sound like you had the ppatience of a saint

Nah. They're just dicks. I offered to pay an overpayment back at £5 a week, they just huffed and said 'We would prefer you to just take out a loan or something'

Put a complaint in about her.Anyone would think you borrowed money off HER PERSONALLY or something.Dont let anyone talk to you like that,how dare she imply you might leave your partner?I wouldve told her to put a superviser on the phonr.Dont let her get away with doing that,she will remember never to treat people like that again if you report her attitude.

I would make a complaint too. Yes she may have been having a bad day (and I am sure it's a horrible job), but that is spiteful and unprofessional and you should make her employer aware.

You sound too patient for your own good, to be blunt. Abusing call centre workers is shitty but you need to stand up for yourself if someone in an official position is being abusive to you.

Firstly and most importantly, check that this is legit and not a scam.

The reason I say that is that it is a debt from sevn years ago - which is odd.

You knew nothing about it - odd.

Your husband's name did not appear on a joint payment - odd.

You were being bullied - unprofessional.

There are fake letters, emails and even a fake site doing the rounds. Contact Inland Revenue - the proper IR and check.

Debt collection agencies acting on behalf of HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC)
If you have outstanding tax debts you may receive a letter, telephone call or SMS text from one of the debt collecting agencies below asking you to pay your outstanding arrears.
Advantis Credit Ltd
Apex Credit Management Ltd
Bluestone Credit Management Ltd (formerly named Close Credit Management Ltd)
Commercial Collection Services Ltd
Commercial Credit Services Group
Credit Solutions Ltd
Direct Legal and Collections
drydensfairfax solicitors
Fredrickson International Ltd
iQor Recovery Services Ltd
Rossendales Ltd
HMRC is working with these companies to collect some tax debts, however you can confirm with us directly that the contact you have received is genuine by calling our helpline on Tel 0845 915 5348.
Some fraudsters deliberately try to copy HMRC branding, or use our name with the aim of getting you to send them money or personal details (such as credit cards or bank details). If you are contacted by anyone stating that they are from HMRC asking for money or personal details (other than the above named private debt collection agencies) you should not respond but instead report the matter to your Tax Office for us to investigate.
Find your Tax Office
Online fraud - what to look out for
On the Internet, security is a mutual obligation. At HMRC we protect the systems at our end, but we cannot do so at your end. That's why the Government and leading businesses have worked together to create Get Safe Online (Opens new window).
HMRC does not issue emails to customers asking you to pay money or to free up a repayment or legacy. If you receive such an email then have a look at our page on known scams and phishing attempts and send the email to us at [email protected] so that we can investigate.
Find out more about frauds and scams

Every year I get a letter saying I owe money from 2009.. The amount varies each year from 40 odd quid to hundreds, but from the same claim.

nothing ever comes of it but I am bemused at the different amounts every year.

One of the reasons I refuse to have anything to do with them now.. I'd rather grate my face off even if I was entitled to something.
do you keep all of your paperwork? Its a lot to keep but comes in handy when they try to pull these stunts.

Good point dont they usually sort all that on the next financial year?would they be that lapse with their accounts?

I actually feel really mad about that for you,i wish that woman had rung me cos she would have met her demise!what if you had depression or an illness and this sent you on an episode?People are people not numbers.

Call centre workers are human and have bad days but that does not excuse the awful way you were treated. I would definitely complain.

Oh and call centres should record calls so this persona mAnager should be able to hear exactly what happened