Child maintenance letter - they've been adults for years?!

[BettySpagBol]

OH has come back to a csa letter even though he stopped paying years ago because they're 25 & 22!

He thinks it's a scam letter but I'm not so sure.

There's no mention of the children's names that were usually on the letters.

Although they had gone through the CSA he and ex had a private agreement in the end.

We didn't live at this address at the time so wtf?!

Letter states they previously wrote to him (didn't) saying current arrangement will end 30 August and he still has a financial responsibility to financially support his children after this date. It's saying to contact child maintenance options which he thinks sounds like a scam company.

I don't want him to bin this incase it's real and it's a mix up but wtf Has happened here?!

It's funny as both his children earn more than him the only other children are our two little ones but we've never split so I'm baffled - help!

Can you contact the CSA just to confirm?

I’m sure that they’d be interested to know that there are fraudulent letters being sent.

Child Maintenance Options is the new CSA. There was a big switch over a few years ago - CSA no longer exists. Best thing to do is give them a call using the official number on the .gov website. Does the letter have a reference number at the top?

I don't think I could resist ringing them, just because they're very snarly to talk to. I would enjoy it!

They're clearing a monumental backlog at the moment. As in where the service has changed hands they are dealing with claims for "children" in their 30s that weren't managed under the old system!!!

Sorry, I worded that wrong. CSA no longer collect/arrange payments, but they are tying all lose ends and passing over all arrears etc to Child Maintenance Options.

Thank you. I was thinking I bet this is the new company. I don't see how they've mixed us up with our relatively newish address.

There's no reference which again makes him say I'll just bin it it's a scam. I think it's real! We will call in the morning. I think we are hoping to hear there been loads of scam letters doing the rounds

@MeltingPregnantLady ahh I see so could they try and say you didn't pay enough all those years ago?

I have a recent letter from CMS about arrears being passed over. Let me dig it out and see what the top of the letter has on it regarding references etc.

i would follow it up, perhaps with a special delivery letter for the record (or call if you can bear a phone call but don't call the number on the letter as it might be a scam - check it on line)

Maybe it relates to a lovechild he hasn't told you about.

What ever you do NOT ring the number on the letter google the correct number (treat it as a possible susious bank letter, so google the number off on your own ).

If its a legit letter they can help you if its not you can safely disope of it.

There are a lot of scams around atm purporting to be HMRC / TC / CMS etc. If you are following up be very careful about who you are talking to and what info you are giving them. I would be inclined to bin to be on the safe side as DC concerned are not in need of funds and no outstanding disputes with Ex and as they have no Ref or prev details to present there is a danger you could open yourself up to something spurious inadvertently.

Sorry I’m getting all my agencys mixed up here, I still havent woken up properly

Ok, I meant a recent letter from CSA (old agency). The top of the letter has my NI number, a contact ref number, csa ref number and a case number. It states an address of FREEPOST DWP - CHILD SUPPORT AGENCY and a phone number beginning with 08456. There is a barcode down the side of the letter and on the bottom of the page it says Child Maintenance and Enforcement Commission.

Do any of these feature on your letter? Mine is definately official.

@FloweringOrchid

Ok, I meant a recent letter from CSA (old agency). The top of the letter has my NI number, a contact ref number, csa ref number and a case number. It states an address of FREEPOST DWP - CHILD SUPPORT AGENCY and a phone number beginning with 08456. There is a barcode down the side of the letter and on the bottom of the page it says Child Maintenance and Enforcement Commission.

Right this letter looks photocopied. No barcode. Top left is his NI number, contact reference. Umber and CSA reference number . NO case number. There is an 08456 number there . It doesn't say that at the bottom of the page just sincerely, some woman's name then child support agency . Then call child maintenance options and an 0800 number to discuss a new arrangement.

I suggest that you google the number for CMS/go to their website to get it and ring them.

Don't ring the number on the letter if there is a chance that it's a scam.

Sounds fake to me. All of my letters from the CSA/CMS have a barcode down the left hand side. The ref details/NI etc are all on the right hand side on my letters.

I would just file it away so you still have it (just incase) and not give it another thought. There are some chancers around, with no morals and pound signs in their eyes.

Sounds dodgy to me, but worth googling the correct number and giving them a call. If only to put your mind at rest.

Scammers are so sophisticated now - DH answered his phone to an unfamiliar number claiming to be his bank about a year ago. As soon as they'd ascertained the phone was live, they hung up then contacted the network and reported it stolen so he was cut off, then tried to use his card (which had been cloned) to book a load of international flights! Fortunately he could use my phone to get things cleared up and we didn't lose any money, but it was quite unsettling, it was an attack on several fronts at once. I've even read about some scammers cloning legitimate websites and putting the dodgy address into letters, so you end up calling them, not the organisation they're copying. So do take care, op!

Try googling the new number. It could be a fishing letter that it's been sent trace him if he's at a new address, and that's why there is so few details as not to breech GDPR.

We use agencies at work to track down individuals that have 'gone away' and this is a common tactic.

Combined with the CSA sorting out lose ends from historic cases it's possibly genuine.

Just to add - they usually include some kind of booklet with the letters they send explaining terminology in detail and how to appeal/get in touch with them. Really doesn’t sound legit. As PP said, if it is really unerving you I would give them a call from the official number stated on the .gov website and not the one stated on the letter.

Thanks will google myself get numbers and we can call tomorrow. No booklet etc. If it is legit, it's a odd way to go about things

I don't think it sounds like a scam.

Child Maintenance Options are the people who open claims, take all the details. There won't be any references, etc, as they issue a new reference for you. Those letters don't look the same as the CMS.

The new cases are then sent to Child Maintenance Services (CMS) and they are the ones who actually deal with the maintenance.

Child Maintenance Options number is 0800 988 0988

Well it's either a mixup or a scam as your DP obviously didn't just stop paying in August, I mean i get you support your children for life, but CSA at 25+ is a bit much .

Even if they consider he hasn't paid enough then the wording should've been quite different, maybe they thought he stopped paying altogether when they switched to a private arrangement.