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Original poster

Tax Credits Office have just sent me 2 birth certificates "back" but THEY ARE NOT MINE!

22 replies

winestein · 17/08/2007 15:09

I have just received the birth certificates of 2 random children from the Tax Credits office. I rang their helpline and they sugested I just write "return to sender" on the envelope.

I thought that the Post Office often just binned such mail and said that I didn't really have any faith in that and could they send me an envelope to return them in. No, they couldn't do that. Could I send them back at my own cost please.

I realise that is only 30p and it's not too much of an imposition at the end of the day but I am a bit shocked at the lack of interest by the Tax Credits Office.

Is this commonplace? I feel a bit wary about posting them back to them at all! Who will they post them on to next?

OP posts:
RubySlippers · 17/08/2007 15:12

and this is unfortunately how identity theft happens
i suggest you say you will alert the local press to their ineptitude and i bet they will cover the postage for you

Miaou · 17/08/2007 15:13

I'm always so nervous of sending off birth certificates and the like - just had to send off ds2's to get Child Benefit sorted out. In fact when I registered his birth I paid for the "full" certificate so that if it did get lost he would have a "spare" !!

chocolatemummy · 17/08/2007 15:15

you should contact a paper like daily mail they would just love it, they are ssssoooooo crap you wouldnt believe what they did to us

Original poster
winestein · 17/08/2007 15:24

hmmm... I might not get any more tax credits shortly afterwards though!!

OP posts:
Original poster
winestein · 17/08/2007 15:25

What did they do to you Chocolatemummy?

OP posts:
Nbg · 17/08/2007 15:25

Hand them in to your local police station.

louii · 17/08/2007 15:27

Hope its not my DS you have, still waiting on them to bloody return it!

Actually scratch that, hope it is his then you could just post it to me, might have a hope of getting it back then

beansprout · 17/08/2007 15:29

I would call back the Tax Office but escalate the situation. Ask to speak to a manager if you get no joy from the chimp you first speak to. They are responsible for returning these documents.

Original poster
winestein · 17/08/2007 15:31

Do you reckon that's the best option NBG? I feel really uncomfortable about just chucking them in the post to an unknown destination.

Not you, unless you have 2 kids Louii!

OP posts:
Original poster
winestein · 17/08/2007 15:32

lol at the "first chimp"

OP posts:
louii · 17/08/2007 15:35

How about phoning the registrar's office that issued the certs and asking them? Might have address of the people on record?

Not me so, only have one son worth a shot though as been waiting ages on it getting sent back.

Lou

bookwormtailmum · 17/08/2007 15:36

This is why I got a copy of my dd's birth cert when I registered so the bozos in various offices couldn't spoil it for me - my brother had coffee spilt on his when it was being 'photocopied' when he got his job in the civil service.

Also agree with posters who said contact the media if they won't send a pre-paid envelope for you to return them (strictly speaking documents like that should be sent recorded or registered post IMHO) but that's by the by.

TheMaskedPoster · 17/08/2007 15:40

Have just sent dd's and mine off PLUS my marriage certificate for dd's NZ citizenship!!

ahhhhh! It always makes me nervous sending them off, but I've always got them back ... now I'll be a nervous wreck til they come back (more so than I already was, that is)

Nbg · 17/08/2007 15:42

I really would take them to the police station.

At the end of the day they are an important document and should be treated like a lost passport or such like.

If the stupid tax credits people are washing their hands even though its their mistake then do the police.

Original poster
winestein · 17/08/2007 15:54

Funnily enough, there is a NZ connection TMP

Think I might take them to the Police Station. I don't really want to make a song and dance about it (off Mumsnet anyway!) but it might make the parents question what happened.

Hmmm...

OP posts:
TheMaskedPoster · 17/08/2007 16:04

yes, agree, you have to do something ... just imagine the other poor mum/s harrassing their postman everyday waiting for the return of their dcs certs!

and let us know if you get yours back (that's if you haven't already of course!)

Original poster
winestein · 17/08/2007 16:08

I had mine back about 2 years ago! [relaxed]

OP posts:
3littlepigs · 17/08/2007 16:09

is the parents address not on there???? for some reason on ours i thought it had our address although may be wrong!!!

meandmy · 17/08/2007 16:10

OMG,
have you called the tax credits ppl as someone will be missing them!

TheMaskedPoster · 17/08/2007 16:12

OH! how bizarre,

does little to install the feeling of competence regarding the Tax Credits office - yet again!

glad you have yours though

wheresthehamster · 17/08/2007 16:15

That's not good enough. The Tax Credits Office have made an error and I'm surprised they are so blase about it. I'd ask to speak to a manager with the threat of going public if they don't treat it as a serious breach of confidentiality.

wheresthehamster · 17/08/2007 16:16

Didn't mean what you intend to do isn't good enough I meant the Tax Office

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