Hmrc fraud accusation!!

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Sorry if this is long and I'm rambling but I need help.

My sister got accused of fraud in February by the tax credits office. Supposedly she has been living with a Romanian male who she has never heard of and she has been living as a single parent for years.
She told the tax credits this was untrue and she would like to be interviewed by the police if she has committed fraud but they said they can't do things like that they just have to stop paying her working and child tax credits and that's final.so after this she got her landlord to write a letter to them to state that she has been living in that property with her daughter and no one else but that didn't work either. She ended up going to the local papers, citizens advice and local mp and they all said that hmrc cannot do this and have tried to help her the best they can but hmrc will not listen to anyone.

She went to the job centre and tried getting help with in com and they said she would have to quit her job and quit college and sign on then she would have to start looking for another job straight away or else she would lose her benefits. She didn't want to do any of this because she has worked hard to get to where she is now. She got a solicitor who could take hmrc to court but she would need £100 which she obviously didn't have now she's going to lose her home, her daughter and her job and college place can anyone please suggest what she should do next??

Thank you

what did her mp do to help?

He contacted the hmrc and tried to get it sorted and tried to get her some money from them.

Surely if she has appealed against HMRCs decision then they will go to the first tier tribunal. She doesn't need a solicitor she can represent herself or try TaxAid (a charity so no charges)

The full appeals procedure is explained here <a class="break-all" href="http://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/20131002105749/www.hmrc.gov.uk/taxcredits/things-go-wrong/complaints-appeals/appealing.htm" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/20131002105749/www.hmrc.gov.uk/taxcredits/things-go-wrong/complaints-appeals/appealing.htm

and taxaid can be found here taxaid.org.uk/

She is currently appealing but she cannot get a hardship payment or anything as they closed her claim. They have told her that it will take up to 20 weeks for the appeal process as well. Thank you

She needs to request an independent review and if she isn't satisfied say she wants to take it to the Adjudicator.

I'm surprised the MP has been shrugged off though...

Ah sorry didn't realise appeal process was ongoing.
I would suggest she contact TaxAid tomorrow to see if they are aware of anything that can be done until the appeal is settled.

Would also suggest she follows up with her MP. Usually when its an MP complaint case HMRC deal with it more quickly.

Thank you so much. The local mp got in touch with them on the 2nd and it hasn't made a difference they either say they can't do anything or just tell her to make a new claim and forget about the money they owe her. They will not show her what proof they have to back up the accusations or interview her..they just said they have got enough proof because he got loans from that address.

Can the MP put down a Parliamentary question to the Minister, stating the HMRC have refused to act following his representations and asking what they are going to do about it?

Also, if she can't afford to use a solicitor are there any colleges/universities locally with a law department and a pro bono unit?

Hi everyone,

Thanks for getting in touch.

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Wishing your family all the best OP.