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Original poster

Letter from Concentrix on behalf of HMRC regarding working tax credit (Self employed)

135 replies

PeppermintLatte · 07/01/2015 15:00

Hi,

I'm not sure if I should be concerned and would really appreciate any advice?

I'm a single parent and I live with my Mother. I work 16 hours a week whilst my DD is in school. The rest of the school week I do voluntary work in the field I am hoping to eventually be able to get myself into (And then I won't need these bloody tax credits)

I received a letter last week saying they are acting on behalf of HMRC and they are doing random checks and I have been selected (not sure if this is true?) They want to know if i'm still self employed and if i'm still working 16 hours, which of course I am or I would have contacted them.

They have requested my UTR number, copies of any adverts placed, a letter outlining what I do for a living, a breakdown of my hours, a diary with any appointments in and also bank statements from April 2014 to November 2014.

I work 2 jobs, the first one is from home on the computer, I work 8 hours a week in this job and I am paid through my bank fortnighly. I'm not paid by the hour, I am paid for the work I complete in those 8 hours. It averages out to be about 140 every two weeks that goes into my bank account.

My second job is as a reflexologist, I also work 8 hours during school hours doing this. I have a small group of loyal clients, I am obviously not paid through the bank, not do I put my earnings through the bank as it's not worth it, it's not much money and I need it for petrol/food/clothes for DD etc. I do however, have my diary with all my appoitments in. I don't advertise so have no copies of adverts ( I advertised a few times last year, cost me a lot of money and I got no response - didn't keep copies of these adverts)

Do you think i'm going to be ok or wil they stop my tax credits? I'm so scared. I won't be able to live without this money. I was going to mention my voluntary work in the letter incase they wonder why i'm not working more than 16 hours, do you think this is wise?

Anyone else had one of these letters? Really worried as to why they would randomly selected me.

OP posts:
Original poster
PeppermintLatte · 05/02/2015 12:18

Suzy I think i'll pass on that!

Just had my decision back, thank God they said my claim wouldn't need to be amended. Feel relieved, but still worrying, as I feel this is only the beginning, once Universal credit comes in I feel i'm screwed. My business isn't working, so i'm trying to find another business idea that hopefully will work. I want to go back to study I think, so I need to be self employed for it to fit around studies.

I mentioned up thread that i'm still registered at the Dr's by where I used to live when I was with my ex. DD is registered there too and also in his address for school. I really, really, really don't want to move Dr's. They are amazing, and always see my DD on the day. Do you think this could flag up and they could now decide to investigate my single person claim? Do they have access to the address I have down at my Dr's?

OP posts:
Suzy914 · 05/02/2015 15:11

Well I am so pleased for you PeppermintLatte. Give yourself a moment to relax before worrying any more at the moment.

I wouldn't concern yourself about the DR thing! I don't know of any reason why you should have changed practices. As mentioned here previously, on 13th Feb the law will change so that more organisations can share information, including medical records. Even with this, and even if they flagged it up, it proves nothing and I don't think anyone would bother!

You are in the clear just now, and at least for the moment, they will be far too busy chasing the many other people to worry about you so soon.

Universal Credit will change things, and probably not for the better. All the new legislation will tighten the noose so there will be more and more requirements to adhere to.

You now have an opportunity to develop your existing or a new business idea now the pressure is off. Maybe gets some ideas together and take advice from a business/enterprise agency? They may be able to suggest things you may not have thought of before and offer some sort of aid to get there.

Any positive moves to get away benefits and the vicious circle has got to be a good thing! Best of Luck....
(So you're not interested in a job with Concentrix then?.....lol....)

Original poster
PeppermintLatte · 05/02/2015 15:24

Thank you Suzy, need to get my thinking cap on really re - my business. I've done l everything, there's just not enough money to be made in it, time for a new idea.

So, who can see this info? Is it all for HMRC? Probably worrying for nothing, I just don't want to give them a reason to cause me all this stress again.

For those interested, I sent all my documentation off to them on 16th Jan & had my decision today (5th Feb)

OP posts:
Itsgoingtoreindeer · 05/02/2015 15:30

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Suzy914 · 05/02/2015 16:31

I found it in this thread - above (hoopla4634 Wed 04-Feb-15)
Checked it out www.latentexistence.me.uk/need-benefits-say-goodbye-to-privacy/ Easier reading!
Legislation www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2015/46/made/data.pdf Heavy Reading
All before Universal Credits is rolled out....

Itsgoingtoreindeer · 05/02/2015 19:19

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Original poster
PeppermintLatte · 05/02/2015 22:00

I don't understand those links? Blush So who can see what and why can they see it? What relevance does it bare? It says something about access to your computer? WTF?????

OP posts:
Suzy914 · 06/02/2015 00:04

My interpretation is that if you are claiming a benefit of any kind (remember Universal Credit will take in everything inc. Tax Credits) your information will be available to all those bodies mentioned in the legislation. This includes some health information but to what extent I don't know.

The relevance is that all the information passed to Concentrix is much more than they have ever had access to before. You then begin to see why they want so much nad why it will be so widespread. Not just for your tax credit claim but for any thing else they can think of. Building the 'ultimate Big Brother infrastructure!

I would 'hope' that if you do not claim anything this information would not be able to be shared...but I am laughing at myself for saying that!

No they cannot access your computer!

Itsgoingtoreindeer · 06/02/2015 09:50

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Original poster
PeppermintLatte · 06/02/2015 11:32

Suzy It's awful! Is nothing sacred no more? What bothers me is that the majority of people who will be claiming UC will be people who work, they are trying their best to make a living and it just seems so unfair that their/our personal information will be so "out there" Do you think HMRC will be aware of the address i'm registered at with my Dr's? Really, really don't want to change it, but feel I may have to. Not too bothered about DD's school address as her Dad lives at the address and she stays with him a couple of nights in the week.

Itsgoingtoreindeer Yes. I work 16 hours per week during school hours and have been coming in AT LEAST £100 under minimum wage per month. I think because the minimum floor income thing hasn't come into play yet, we'll get away with it. Would you mind if I ask what you do? I have two SE jobs, first is working from home typing (crap money) second is as a Reflexologist/massage therapist. This will have to close down, i'm just not earning enough. I used to put 24 hours in a week doing this, with shit loads of advertising and I was lucky to break even. People simply don't have the money to spend out on this. Now, when UC comes in, what on earth is stopping me "pretending" I earn NMW in this job? It's cash in hand (As I stated to Concentrix) Not that i'd do this of course... But even if I did it would only be short term as i'm looking into doing something else SE.

OP posts:
Itsgoingtoreindeer · 06/02/2015 12:20

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Original poster
PeppermintLatte · 06/02/2015 12:38

They asked for an appointment diary, but I sent my account book which goes from April 2014 to April 2015. I don't invoice my customers, I don't even give them a receipt, I just have the appointment details in my diary and account book, usually just their name as they are all regulars. I am sent an invoice from the typing job I do, every month, so I sent those in.

OP posts:
Itsgoingtoreindeer · 06/02/2015 12:40

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

muircm · 06/02/2015 23:57

I'm so relieved to hear that so many other single parents have received the same letter as i did ie from concentrix on behalf of HMRC saying that they have evidence there is another adult living with me, i hav bn in such a panic about it as i do live alone and am so worried they wont believe me! When i called the number on the letter it took me almost a whole day to get through, i followed up from the call sending them by recorded delivery all of the documents they asked for. 2 weeks later ive had no reply, the letter sd to wait 10days before calling again. Today it took almost an hour in a queue before someone answered only to tell me to call bak nxt wk, i refused stating that i'd spent so long waiting for an answer i wud like an update now. The response was that they have a backlog and not received my paperwork. I said it was sent recorded delivery and signed for almost 2 weeks ago to which the reply was yes but the mail goes to lancing in england, we are in belfast and it hasnt been forwarded to us yet! The man said he can giv me no idea how long it will be before a decision is made and i'l just have to wait - My money gets stopped nxt week! The response to this was i'l extend the date by 3days! Like thats going to make any difference! Has anyone any ideas how to proceed if a letter comes back saying they dont believe me? I would happily let them search my house and they will c i'm not lying however i doubt someone will come all the way frm belfast to check up!!!!

TripTrapTripTrapOverTheBridge · 10/02/2015 10:52

I received a letter yesterday telling me they have 'evidence' that I have live with someone. Spent ages on the phone and they couldn't tell me what their evidence is. I laughed at them,I've been living on my own with DS for nearly 16 years- no other adult in the house ever!!!

Have to get everything together to send in now to prove I'm on my own. Pain in the backside with paperless billing etc

Suzy914 · 10/02/2015 12:00

You have every right to make a Subject Access Request but this has to be sent to HMRC as the Data Controllers and who are legally responsible for your information - See here ico.org.uk/for-organisations/guide-to-data-protection/principle-6-rights/subject-access-request/
If the information they hold does not show any association with any name, the letter (which is accusing and says they have evidence) has been sent out under false pretences and breaches several Data Protection regulations.
The reason for them 'processing' all the information they are asking certain people to send then goes out the window.
Would love to know if anyone, whose has received a letter 'unnamed', has done this.

cowshindtail · 14/02/2015 15:09

I got most of my paperwork back from Concentrix yesterday. In a phonecall I was told that my working tax credits claim is fine-they had previously claimed that they had evidence that I was living with another adult-but they would not reveal who. My suspicion is that they won't tell us now until they have proved it as they have made themselves open to ridicule by their absurd suggestions as to who we are meant to be cohabiting with.Unfortunately the papers that they haven't returned are my business bank account statements.So goodness knows what they have done with them-has someone else been sent them and how am I meant to do my books without them? Wouldn't you say this was worthy of a complaint to HMRC?

loveears · 18/02/2015 10:50

Hi. I too have received a letter saying they have evidence I'm cohabiting. It took 30min to get through to be told the system was down and ring back later. After another 40min wait, the guy was really rude, refused to tell me who I'm supposed to be living with etc. I have had to pay for print outs of my bills and bank statements. Ridiculous!

HeeHiles · 26/02/2015 13:01

Well I was asked to provide proof that I work 40 hours a week as I may have been paid too much. Got all my documents returned about 2 weeks ago and this morning received a letter saying my award does not need to be amended.

Was shaking opening the letter as I expected bad news, so much relieved at the eventual outcome but bloody hell that was a stressful few weeks Angry

tweaky815 · 27/02/2015 10:00

hi did a letter come back with the documents saying nothing further is going to be done? as i had a letter saying they will shortly be writing to me about my claim .

tweaky815 · 27/02/2015 10:00

hi did a letter come back with the documents saying nothing further is going to be done? as i had a letter saying they will shortly be writing to me about my claim .

tweaky815 · 27/02/2015 10:00

hi did a letter come back with the documents saying nothing further is going to be done? as i had a letter saying they will shortly be writing to me about my claim .

HeeHiles · 27/02/2015 10:23

Hi Tweaky, I got a letter with my documents saying they would write to me soon to let me know their decision.

About two weeks after that I received another letter to say thank you for documents and there will be no change to my award.

Fingers crossed you get a good decision - its horrible having this stress piled on, coz it's not hard enough working all hours and raising my children on my own obvs! Angry

HeeHiles · 27/02/2015 10:26

Unfortunately the papers that they haven't returned are my business bank account statements.So goodness knows what they have done with them-has someone else been sent them and how am I meant to do my books without them? Wouldn't you say this was worthy of a complaint to HMRC?

Yes and your MP needs to know too, that is shocking!

cowshindtail · 27/02/2015 11:12

I have written letters of complaint to both HMRC and Concentrix. I have also emailed the Independent and the BBC. I can't see the point of contacting my MP as he is a Conservative .