What would you do? Tax credit payment over £3000!

boona | 16:47 Thu 23rd Jun 2011 | ChatterBank

59 Answers

Well, today I received two unexpected payments into my bank account, one for £230 and one for £3,300 both from tax credits. I've spent it on a nice holiday and a lovely new settee. I wish...

Actually I haven't spent it all, instead I have transferred it into my savings account to earn some interest until the tax credit people realise they have sent it in error and ask for it back!!!!!!!!! Which I'm presuming they will do, when they realise their error!

Just wondering what everyone else would do in the same situation?

Should I be honest?

Tomato stain on blouse

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starone

What is wrong with everyone? They are so grumpy tonight and seem to be spoiling for a fight. I was going to join a couple of the threads but chickened out at the last minute because I didn't want to get involved in any unpleasantness. Chill out, you lot. Kiss and make up before the ed notices.

boona

Question Author

No, I havent just arrived in the UK, Im born and bred here!

sherrardk

Hi boona - what a pleasant surprise. (Ignore the miseries who are being mean.)

bednobs

my word, there are some utter wangs on this post

fliptheswitch

What an awful thing to ask, "have you just arrived in the UK?" :(
Anyhow, wow! You must be chuffed. This did actually happen to me about 6 years ago. There were quite a few cases of it, and it was well publicised. Unfortunately, it was an error, and I had to give it all back (a very similar amount to yourself) six months later. I did phone them, although I did umm and arhh about doing so.
You will never get away with anything when it comes to the Inland Rev. If they make an error, they will soon realise and expect you to pay it back. If you haven't informed them, then you could find yourself in hot bother.
Given my personal experience, I would always advice to phone them straight away, before you even think about transferring it into a savings account.
However, in this case it is obviously correct and it must be some kind of underpayment. What a result! :)
To the person who said it was sponging. Working tax credits are based on your income. If you have a low income, then you get it topped up by the state. I hardly think this is "sponging", as you only get it if you work. Bit harsh, in my opinion.

TWR

Boona, I should have put that in a different way but we all hear of people coming in from other countries picking up our hard earned benefits & laughing about it have we not? there was something in the North West last week of a family brought into the UK, her husband had been here 10 years & living in a single flat what happened! they ( Council) out of no-where found a flat to accommodate all the family I dare not say any more, again in case you may think, I was not knocking you xx It's a pity people of the UK start to wake up! where the hell do you think your money is going?

bednobs

aren't you currently unemployed twr?

TWR

All thanks to one evil person at my last place of work Bedknobs, shortly to be heard in court. watch this space, I do not like getting accused of something I have not done.

bednobs

what i am saying is, how can you go on about "hard earned taxes" to someone when you are not working?
Perhaps she/her family do not like paying the benefits of the unemployed, yet she didn't go on about that or make assumptions about you

TWR

63 years, never been on the dole since I started work at 16.

bednobs

well maybe this woman hasn't either!!!!

TWR

If you look back, I did say sorry

bednobs

where did you say sorry??!

TWR

Boona, I apologize, if my wording has offended you. x