Tax Credits & Advantis

[Vagabond_UK]

Hi,

 

Advantis Credit have been chasing me for a tax credit overpayment that I seemingly received back in 2012.

 

We used to get tax credit,

but when my wife started working in April of that year

we informed the tax credits office of the change

and we were no longer eligible to receive tax credits as collectively we earned too much.

 

The payments stopped soon after, and we never reapplied for the new year in June.

 

I thought no more of it until

 

I started getting these letters from Advantis chasing the overpayment.

 

I've written to HMRC asking for proof of overpayment, as I had informed them of all changes and I haven't heard back.

 

Meantime,

Advantis are continuing to chase and are telling me that I need to pay the debt

and then claim it back from HMRC if I think it's wrong.

 

With the tax credit system one giant mess,

I'm not prepared to do that until I have proof that a debt exists,

but HMRC are silent on the whole thing;

 

I've written several letters to HMRC asking for proof of debt

but I have heard nothing back from them,

and Advantis won't back off unless HMRC instruct them to do so.

 

I can't afford to pay this off in one swoop.

 

Any advice?

[antone]

Advantis should not be advising you to pay the debt and "claim it back" - that's not how it works. No and hell no!

 

You've done the right thing in asking HMRC to substantiate the debt, and when you finally do receive something about it you can either accept the debt if you think they're right or dispute it via the appeals process.

 

In the meantime, write to Advantis and tell them that the debt is currently in dispute with the creditor and that all collection activity must stop until the dispute is resolved.

[dx100uk]

you've not par chance got that in WRITING have you?

 

cause if you have

that will damage them and we want that.

 

in the first place

 

the golden rule with any HRMC/Benefit debt is

 

NEVER EVER EVER pay a DCA AN HMRC/Benefit debt...EVER!!!

 

pay the dept involved directly.

 

a dca chasing a gov't debt CAN NEVER DO ANYTHING TO YOU.

 

I knew advantis were pulling some stunts on the phone

 

but not ones like that.!!

 

dx

[Vagabond_UK]

you've not par chance got that in WRITING have you?

 

cause if you have

that will damage them and we want that.

 

in the first place

 

the golden rule with any HRMC/Benefit debt is

 

NEVER EVER EVER pay a DCA AN HMRC/Benefit debt...EVER!!!

 

pay the dept involved directly.

 

a dca chasing a gov't debt CAN NEVER DO ANYTHING TO YOU.

 

I knew advantis were pulling some stunts on the phone

 

but not ones like that.!!

 

dx

 

Actually, yes I do.. I have a letter from Advantis stating that exactly. I haven't paid them anything yet, while I wait on proof of debt from HMRC.

 

I shall scan the letter and post it later this morning.

[honeybee13]

Actually, yes I do.. I have a letter from Advantis stating that exactly. I haven't paid them anything yet, while I wait on proof of debt from HMRC.

 

I shall scan the letter and post it later this morning.

 

Thank you for doing this, it will be interesting to see. Please make sure you take off anything that can identify you.

 

HB

[Vagabond_UK]

The letter...

 

 

All advice on how to tackle Advantis is welcome; I'm versed with dealing with DCAs when its consumer credit, but not so sure with this one.

[Mr.P]

We can confirm that your account will be placed on hold for a period of 14 days to allow you sufficient time to send contact our regarding payment,[...]

 

They need to employ someone to proof read their begging letters before posting. In the meantime, follow dx100uk & antone's advice above.

[Vagabond_UK]

Thanks,

 

Any additional advice to offer before I put this into a letter?

[estellyn]

You said your claim stopped around April time - how many payments did you receive in the new tax year?

 

 

Did you complete and send back the June form you received?

[Vagabond_UK]

Can't remember, wasn't many.. 2, maybe 3.

 

We never received any form, we made all claims online. My wife phoned them once she had been given her contract to let them know, and it was followed up by letter.

[estellyn]

Can't remember, wasn't many.. 2, maybe 3.

 

We never received any form, we made all claims online. My wife phoned them once she had been given her contract to let them know, and it was followed up by letter.

 

 

How much is the debt for - about how many payments does I equal?