Working tax query - failed security check.

[Mr.Tamzarian]

I phoned the Working Tax Credit office with a view to making a claim. The girl asked for my NI no., name and date of birth. I supplied all these and she said I'd failed the security check and she couldn't proceed any further. I asked what the problem was but she wouldn't tell me, nor would she tell me how to correct this error. I can't believe this. They keep taking my income tax every month, so there's nothing wrong with the security then is there? Has anyone else had this problem? Did you solve it? If so, how? Any help appreciated. Thanks.

[lardhelmet]

She probably incorrectly typed in your NI number so the data didn't match. Phone them again - with a bit of luck you'll get an advisor on the other end who's an accurate typist!

[sara3]

you may have had your identity stolen. I suggest you contact them and try to find out what you need to do to sort this out.

assuming you got all your details right? you're not adopted, are you?

[Mr.Tamzarian]

Thank you for the replies.

I asked her to enter them again, but she wouldn't. She said she could only do it once.

I said that she might have mis-heard me, so could she do it again and I would spell everything out? She wouldn't, so I insisted on speaking to a manager or supervisor.

I eventually spoke to a manager who said he couldn't discuss the matter. I asked what I could do to try and correct this, but he said he wouldn't say. The only hint he gave was that I should contact the Inland Revenue. That's my next step but I'll have to wait till tomorrow.

I thought about ID theft, which I mentioned to the manager. He said they would have to contact their fraud dept if that was the case, but how can I find this out? Again he wouldn't help.

I feel as though I'm caught in a vicious circle. Grrrrrr!

[Mr.Tamzarian]

I've managed to sort this now. They said the problem was caused because I was a first time claimant. I don't understand why because they must get lots of first time claimants.

However, they said this situation will be added to their database and used for future reference as it had never occurred before.

That was all they would say. But it's sorted now, so thanks for your replies.