I think I am already at the top of their list and I don't mean their Christmas card list - I know jobs are very hard to get at the moment but maybe it's the lesser of two evils 1) stay and pay back X amount each week until God knows when and continue to watch my back or 2) leave and get on with my life but making sure my employer cannot make a claim on the overpayment X number of months/years down the line. Thanks again Sidewinder for your words of wisdom

My employer has offered 'leaver' packs to other people. It ranges from 3 months to 12 months wages depending on length of time with the business. So assuming I was offered 3 months it would work out at approx £3500. I know I could take the offer but I'd be out of a job but at least my £11k debt (overpayment) would be waived.

I sent a SAR to my employer, here is a copy of the letter where you see XXXX enter your OH employers name/company - hope it helps... Dear Sir/Madam, I am writing to request that you forward a copy of all data about me being held by XXXXXXXXXXXX. The data should include (but is not be limited to) Contract of employment Terms and conditions of employment Medical history/reports Salary details Disciplinary record References This request should also include any data held for more than 6 years as under the Data Protection Act there is no time limit for information requested. If you do not hold any data for a period longer than 6 years then I also request confirmation of this in writing along with your method(s) used for disposal of such information to comply with the Data Protection Act stating the name and contact information of your registered Data Controller and Code Compliance Officer. I look forward to your response within 40 days, as XXXXXXXXXXXX is obliged to reply within this time under the Data Protection Act. If not I shall seek remedy from the Information Commissioner. I enclose the statutory maximum fee of £10. Yours faithfully,

Got a call from my manager to say that if I leave my job without asking for a leavers pack my employer will offset my 'debt' of £11k against a leavers pack. I feel as if a gun has just been put to my head and I've been asked to pull the trigger. Do you think I should accept their offer and get out?

Hi Sidewinder, Yeap it's a mess okay which is causing be untold stress in that I've done everything I could to get it corrected, only regret it that I should have went to the CEO who would have kicked some butts. I have kept every scrap of paper and email I sent as course of habit I see what you mean about estoppel although my change of position is that I took out a personal loan in 2008 based in full time hours, it was undecided at the time if I was to return to full-time or change to part-time which I later did in 2009 once I finally got my review. I am not happy that I was sent a new contract which was back-dated to 2008 and not 2009, I wrote back to HR advising them of this but have heard nothing since. As I am off work due to illness I have had very little contact with work although I am happy to speak to them at anytime, I'm starting to feel like a mushroom - kept in the dark and fed nothing but...!! I imagine my time of employment is limited due to a previous period of ill health (work related) so taking repayment from future wages may not be an option I would then suspect it would involve lawyers, courts etc to reclaim any monies if my employment were to be terminated. The ball in pritty much in my employers court at the moment but as a multi-national company they are painstakingly slow to do anything even local management are useless. Thanks again Sidewinder, J

Hi everyone, I am reaching out to you all for some advice due to the nightmare I have found myself. In late 2007 I was off work due to illness and agreed to return to work in 2008 in reduced hours for a while to see how I settled in. All went well for a while with a review of my hours in mid 2008 which didn't happen so I told my manager but again nothing happened so I remained on reduced hours until 2009. I decided to remain on my reduced hours so informed my manager to advise HR and adjust my wages to reflect my new hours but nothing happened I sent emails and also a letter to HR myself but again noting happened so I gave up after six months of trying to get my wages corrected to the correct rate. Now in late 2010 things were getting worse and I have taken time off due to illness due to work and the stress of knowing that I have to pay back the overpayments which I would struggle to meet due to the possibility of dismissal due to ill health. In the last month after almost 2 years of trying to get my employers mistake corrected my wages have finally been paid at the correct rate. My employer says I now owe them almost £11,000 (2008/2010) however I dispute this as in 2009 I got a new contract with my new hours so I would only owe £5,500 (2009/2010). My employer sent me a new contract last week but it was back dated to 2008 which I refused to sign, I've asked HR to send me copies of all of my 'signed' contracts but have heard nothing within the last 3 weeks. I've heard of estoppel and I feel this maybe apply to my situation but need more clarification in estoppel. I have a union but they have been very coy about the whole situation saying to pay without fuss (easier said than done). I asked about an ERT but it was quickly dismissed due to costs. I have spoken to another union rep who said not to pay a penny as once I make payment I am admitting guilt which could open other avenues for my employer. I feel totally trapped as paying would be a struggle and I've done everything within my power to make my employer aware they were paying me too much and to stop it. I don't know what to do next and I would appreciate your comments please. Thanks, J

Thanks Stoneybabe and good to here Seamus was also successful, Stoneybabe I'd be happy to help you and PM me any time and as Seamus says you WILL get your money and don't feel bullied or threatened by Abbey we are here to help you WIN WIN WIN!!!! :grin: Insp C

No reason really just being old fashioned I suppose. Insp C.

Hi Michael I have just won my case a few days ago with Abbey and I all my communication with them was by letter only. I didn't have to fight them too much except for the standard delaying tactics. If you decide to go to court you will need the NI court service (NICS) small claims form you'll need to send the completed form in triplicate to: Northern Ireland Courts Service Civil Processing Centre PO Box 882 Chichester Street Belfast BT1 3JF Tel: 028 9072 4566 along with the court fee of: Claim does not exceed £150....Fee £16.00 Over £150 but under £300......Fee £36.00 Over £300 but under £500......Fee £52.00 Over £500 but under £2000....Fee £62.00 after you have sent your claim to the NICS you will receive a letter from them to advise that your claim requires service in England and Wales as Abbey are based on the mainland. Sign the enclosed certification and send the whole thing back to NICS. They will now do the rest, you'll get a letter from Arthur Cox solicitors (Belfast) saying Abbey intend to defend your claim, it's only a standard letter as I got a photo-copy!! so nothing to worry about. I didn't bother replying to it or to Abbey just waited for my court date, however I did call Abbey 2 weeks prior to the court date to see if they wanted to settle out of court but I was told they didn't have a case on my file and it would take 7-8 weeks to get it sorted, I replied my court date would be sooner and I'd see them there. Last Friday I got a call from Arthur Cox but I was at work, hence a letter yesterday to say my claim has been paid in full as it could cost Abbey too much to defend it. I am still keeping the case open until the cheque clears If you need any help then please PM me any time. Regards, Insp C

Hi Little Star, Sorry to hear that your boyfriend lost his service with BT. Depending on the status of his a/c broadband will still work even if the phone has been disconnected (TOS'd in BT jargon). If the a/c has been TOS'd then it will need to be reconnect for around £35 which will be added to his next phone bill. With regards the call out fee escalate the matter to a manager if your bf is charged and he will get it back 'cos the more he shouts about it the greater the chance he'll get it back works every time. As the line has not been reconnected get the advisor to speak to credit management who will issue a reconnection request again and this should do the trick. Hope this helps, Insp C

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Well, well, well I have just checked by bank account after receiving a call some the Shabbey solicitors and hey presto I have been given back my charges + court fees + 8% interest. Donation to CAG to follow for all their help which I could not have done without, I'd also like to thank YOU!! for your support, advise and keeping my spirits up. One last thing if I can be of any help to anyone please please PM me and I will be happy to assist you. Thanks again to all Insp C

Hi all, Just 8 days left for my court date of the 18/05/07 and I am actually looking forward to it. I have spoken to the ShAbbey legal team to give them one last chance to settle out of court but all I got was Oh! we don't seem to have a case on your account, it will take 7 to 8 weeks to set it up, never mind I said my court date will be well before then. So they can't say I didn't give them a chance so as I say all set-up now with parachute account, direct debits changed and folder to hand... wish me luck

Hi all, Got a standard letter today from Arthur Cox in Belfast defending Abbey policy blah blah. Abbey replied by the cut off date of the 02/05/07 any ideas what I should do now? Should I contact Abbey and tell them 'see you in court' (always wanted to say that, lol) or sit tight and wait for the the court date I notice that the letter shows my claim as £977 but my total including intrest at 8% is £1117, should I update the court papers or leave alone? Insp C

Irishlass I had the same stuff from Abbey which is clearly a delaying tactic. I am heading for the local NI court on the 2nd May unless Abbey pay up next week. If I can be of any help PM me or write it here. Today I got a defence letter from Arthur Cox in Belfast which again is standard letter (yawn) as I have seen it on several threads in CAG. I am putting together my reply over the weekend so it will put the ball back into Abbeys court. InspC

When BT contact anyone and vice versa the much have the BT account number and quote it, so in your case you have every right to complain to the Information Commissioner at BT. You can write, call or email BT but make sure its in writing or recorded in case of any problems later.

Hi Kidneydog, I am now at the stage where I have been given my NI court date of the 2nd May, the NI Court service could not have been more helpful although they did point out that Shabbey was had an english address but it was not a problem so fingers crossed and only 28 days to go.

Hi, I think BT have scrubbed this fee after speaking to OFCOM, but I'm sure it will reappear as something else later.

The number for COT is 0800 800 880 but can't see they'll do much as the will mostly likely pass you off to the accounts department (sorry no direct number) Insp C.

Hi everyone, Just got CAG newsletter and was shocked to read about this claim and the NI court service. I am currently chasing ShAbbey for just over a grand and my NI court date set for the 2nd of May. So April will be interesting month but just in case ShAbbey turns nasty I have opened another account elsewhere. I wish you all well with your claims. Rgds, Insp C.

Got my statement the other day and I see ShAbbey have added a £35 charge for a failed DD, is this legal as I am in the middle of taking them to court for such charges. Contacted ShAbbey to get refund, was advised I got this done previously so no go?. Wanted to speak to supervisor was put on hold but gave up after an hour. Please can anyone advise if ShAbbey can add new charges, if yes can I add the amount onto my current claim which I about to be submitted to the court. Thanks, Insp C.

Well Christmas has come and gone for another year and I have just received a lovely letter from ShAbbey saying that they will not refund my charges, that I have already been refunded some as a gesture of goodwill and thats it no more!!. I have held off long enough so 1st thing Monday morning I will file my claim at the local county court and will await ShAbbey's reply, oh! I haven't charged them any interest but I think I'll might as well so 8% seems fair enough which will take it nicely over the grand. I will let you know who I get on over the next few days. One other thing is there anyone else in N.Ireland also thinking about ShAbbey to court, if so let me know Cheers, Insp C

Hi all, On the 20th December BT have hicked up their prices for telephone extension sockets, the charge used to be around £110 for 1 socket now think its nearer £150 or £160 for 1 socket. (Ouch!!) It's cheaper if you can B&Q it or get a local spark to do the work instead. Insp C

Hi all, Well I've sent of my claim to shAbbey and have just received a reply to settle my claim of over £900 with £150 payment (hmmm!! I have to think on this) thats enough thinking it'll be a NO thanks. I'll wait until the new year to submit another nice letter and hope they have a rethink. Until then have a good Christmas. Insp C

Hi, Just got a copy of my original CC application which I did tick to say I wanted PPI cover but I also ticked another box to say I was self employed so correct me if I'm wrong while paying for PPI cover I would not have got a bean if I made a claim. Two questions... Does it matter if I later became employed rather that self-employed? What shoud I do next? Insp C