Tax credit asked if I should be claiming as a single person, when I have not been in a relationship in seven years... is this normal?

[OJZJ]

Long time lurker but first time I have posted a thread so if I get this wrong, I apologise. Also lengthy and boring as I either...
Just received a letter from the tax credits querying if I should still be claiming as a single parent and had forgotten to notify them adding that if I told them I needed to end my claim as a single person now they won't charge me a penalty and if I don't tell them I need to end my claim I may be charged a £3,000 penalty..
Back story is the most boring ever, I haven't lived with any body as a partner or flat mate for over 10 years and have been totally and utterly single since going for legal guardianship seven years ago and even splitting up with my then GF to pursue the guardianship due to her behaviours *batcrap crazy and totally unstable nightmare, I was more her mother than GF tbh.
I have genuinely not been in a relationship or even had sniff of a date never mind anything else since becoming a legal guardian and starting my single parent tax credit claim.
I find this totally unsettling as never been in trouble, or had any cause to get into trouble.
I rang them up as soon as I received the letter and was told it was generic, but will update my details etc.
I know I have nothing to worry about as I told the woman I spoke to they can spot check anytime as due to my son's disabilities I very rarely have anyone in the house, even really good friends as he cannot cope with it (my last night "out" and away from him was an overnight hospital stay three years ago)
Has anybody else experienced this? Is it generic or has somebody rung them up to "report" me.... I am wondering as had a massive fallout with a friend who I suspect from all the nasty bitching she did that she would cause trouble like this... she also knows how single I have been so this is complete fiction...
Woyld somebody be able to reassure me or advise me please as I do suffer massively with anxiety anyway

Ps apologise for typos as my phone is trying to invent it's own language

Tax credits do that.
Mine prepared for a letter requesting years worth of bank statements, payslips, etc

I had to send in a load of stuff to prove I was single/living alone ( this was about three years ago), had to send them a copy of my divorce decree to prove I was divorced and show them the reason why ex was still on the mortgage (altho he didn’t actually pay anything).

It does sound like somebody has reported you for fraud.
Please don't worry, if you aren't doing anything wrong there's nothing to worry about.
So sorry this is happening to you.

I had this the other year. Apparently they do it every now and then. I've been claiming tax credits for years and not been in a relationship. I felt insulted at first but then found out it was common. I ignored it as nothing to report

I've had 2 letters saying exactly the same and have been single 3 years
I'm not ringing them as mine says not to if my circumstances haven't changed, I think this is something that they do - I wouldn't worry

There were loads of these threads at one point. Think they are sending them to all single claimants in case circumstances have changed

I had that too, totally freaked me out at first but it was all fine. I had to send copies of all utilities bills and bank statements for the previous few years. It was a bit of a nuisance to get everything they wanted to see but I told them I was having trouble getting hold of a couple things and they extended the deadline.

Does the letter say you only need to contact them if your circumstances have changed? If so, just ignore it

Thanks people, I just worry excessively about things and my health isn't great.
I genuinely have nothing to worry about with regards to hiding a secret partner but worry they will stop everything whilst they investigate and then stick me on the dreaded universal credits as I manage financially with current help but would struggle on UC as everybody appears to...
Thanks again....

I got one of those letters a while ago, I think they just send them out randomly every so often

Nobody has reported you they are random genetic letters.

I'm a bit confused... you called them and they told you that they spot check and you're still worried? Why? You say you have nothing to hide?

It's a phishing letter that they send to everyone claiming now and again. Send the evidence in and you'll be fine.

kitk I think I was worried someone (ie the "friend" i fell out with)was trying to cause trouble and that the tax credits had been given a "reason to suspect me" and stop everything and having to farce around- as I said I have genuinely nothing to worry about with regards fraudulently claiming anything, I was just stressed as I am almost too much of a goody two shoes-hell I went back to pay for a £3 travel cup in Waitrose yesterday after the checkout lady didn't put it through thinking it was mine for my "free coffee" and I checked my receipt as leaving.l would not have been able to walk through the doors knowing I hadn't paid for it.(paranoia would have me thinking a red flashing light and siren above my head would go off if I went through the doors )
I am now stressing ringing up has triggered my transfer to the dreaded UC as I worked out on a turn to us calculator I would be severely worse off and can see how so many people struggle with UC it should be abolished.
As my mother always said- I arnt happy unless I am worrying about something!

Ps thanks to everybody with the reassuring comments

I am now stressing ringing up has triggered my transfer to the dreaded UC
Definitely not, try not to worry.

And if you don’t have significant change of circumstances, and change to UC through managed migration you will have transitional protection.

Haven't got any real advice but I was briefly on UC after splitting from my husband. I used to get awful anxiety about it even Though I provided all the relevant info and was perfectly entitled to the money. As soon as I decided to move in and buy a house with my new partner I cancelled the claim, didn't even bother with a joint applicationx, I found the constant worry of being on benefits highly stressful so can see why you feel anxious. It sounds like you have absolutely nothing to worry about though!

It saves them money in long run I guess if it does catch out someone and they change their claim without penalty.

It does sound like somebody has reported you for fraud.
No it doesn't. They're generic letters sent out randomly to single parents and quite frankly they're insulting. They basically say are you SURE you're single? You know just in case us adult women don't know if we're in a relationship or not what with us all being so easily confused .

Winsomelosesome you may have a point
I asked my single parent brother in law (he gave up work to raise his disabled son on his own and been single far longer than I have) he hasn't received a letter-but being male he isn't as easily confused as us mere females I guess
Again thanks everyone

MyDCaremarvel thanks for the reassuring advice I looked at that. As long as nothing changes.