Tax credit fraud 😩😩

[Needhelp30]

I’m in a right state.

I live with my partner and 3 kids. The older two are from my previous abusive marriage.
I have claimed as a single parent. My defence is that I left an abusive marriage in tens of thousands of debt and have borderline personality disorder and can not be safe with money. The tax credits I was getting was for my debt and my older two children. I have a spending addicted and I can’t be trusted to pay bills etc so absolutely everything is in my partners name. The house is his.

He has no idea. He gives me an “allowance” once a month and he thinks I live on that. He will leave me if he finds out, Iv already had bailiffs to the house. My mental health has been awful the last few years and my psychiatrist is fully aware of my spending problem.

I stopped claiming tax credits last month as I started a part time job. I earn £300 a month.

I had a letter today saying that they have linked my partner to his house. They want a telephone interview next week but also all bills etc that are in my name. Nothing is. Literally nothing apart from my bank account.

I’m so scared. The letter has asked for details from March 2019 - July 2019. Why only these dates? !!!!!! do I say. If I admit everything surely they will look further back? I honestly feel like this is the cherry on the top and I’m not sure can survive much longer. I have so many debt collectors after me. Partner refuses to help as it’s technically ex’s debts.

I’m so nervous about the interview. I don’t want to go to prison. I don’t even want to go court. I’m so scared.

I think you have a few separate issues to tackle OP.

1. Try to find free legal advice
2. Call tax credits and say you would like to speak to them face to face as you have MH issues and struggle communicating by phone. Arrange an appointment and get all your documents together. Hopefully you'll have legal help by then, or someone knowledgeable to attend with you.
3. Your old debts - weren't you advised at the time to declare bankruptcy (or the equivalent)? Look into that now.
4. Don't use the excuse that your ex ran up the old debts, because you admit that you can't stop spending. It makes you sound deluded about how you find yourself in debt. That makes it difficult for people to trust what you say.
5. Your current partner deserves the truth. Imagine how you would feel if the roles were reversed. You won't be able to pay back this new debt on £300 salary, so hiding it long term is unlikely to be successful. In any case, he'll wonder why you have no money.
6. When this is over - and you will get past this - tap into any help you can get for your addiction issues. Ask for help and put measures in place to ensure you will avoid this situation. You aren't the first person this has happened to. People who had a lot more wealth and assets than you can find themselves in debt or being prosecuted. Try to keep it in context.

@Needhelp30

No, around 550 a month.

Sorry i read two years and did the math wrong

Sometimes they avoid custodial sentences or court altogether if you come clean and offer a repayment plan just try and breathe take it one step at a time

Iv decided I’m going to ring tomorrow and just admit everything.

Do get some legal advice first though.

Will do.

I’m so anxious 😩😩😩

Hope it all goes okay for you and when it is all sorted it will be a relief for you. Keep talking on here if you need to x

Handhold for you today OP. I'm sure you will feel better once you get the ball rolling, the first step is always the hardest.

They won’t speak to me and told me to wait for my interview 😩😩

I'm so sorry. That must be difficult when you were all prepared to deal with it today. Can you do something lovely today? Treat yourself, it doesn't need to cost much, I love a hot chocolate and a book curled up in a blanket.

Only plus point they said they are fully booked for appointments today and tomorrow so hopefully I’m not the only one going through this which sounds awful

When is your interview?

It was Wednesday at 10 but I changed it until 4 as I will be at work :(

Today will be the hardest day. After that you can plan and get in with what you will do about it. You are being brave.

Good luck for Wednesday,

And of course, like what everyone else is saying please get some advice, you do seem vulnerable. Do you have someone who can attend with you?

Is it under caution?
You really really need legal advice here, you could potentially be looking at custodial what will your kids do?
Super serious get a solicitor. No right minded person would tell you to face it alone.

It’s not under caution x

Ring a solicitor now.

Is there anything you can plan to help with your anxiety? Get any paperwork prepared such as letters from your medical team etc?

A £25,000 fraud is very serious OP, it's not an accidental overpayment that they will take back from future payments.

Speak to your DP and a solicitor.

When you say BPD, do you mean Borderline Personality Disorder of Bipolar Disorder?

Borderline personality disorder

Have you spoken to your partner yet @Needhelp30? You really must and you absolutely need to speak to a solicitor too, before your formal call. You really don't want to go into the call without having done that, this is serious.

I also feel very sorry for partner whose world is about to explode. Think you owe it to him to tell him asap. I do feel concern for you, but more sympathy for partner.