Dwp Debt Owed ?

[djtdjt]

I have a letter from DWP saying I owe some money (unknown to me) ? It looks legitimate and phone number seems to check out via google. Cannot get them to answer the phone! Letter says they have previously contacted me about the owed money, they have not. Anyone know if this is a scam or genuine? TIA.

[hc4361]

Does it show your correct National Insurance number, full name etc?
Is it asking you to pay by a method that can't be tracked?

[New Judge]

If you cannot get them to answer the phone it probably is genuine! Scammers will be only too eager to take your call, get your bank details and rip you off. Beware though.

[Peter Pedant]

It may worth going to the CAB and asking them

I have had a demand for repayment ( without warning ) but I had owned up to it. Usually they adjust some other payment...

[djtdjt]

Yes NI number is correct, I'm thinking of writing to them to assertain what this payment is for, that's why i'm trying to phone them to get more info.

[Peter Pedant]

You can ask ( in writing ) for a written explanation
CAB and then do that I think

with my voluntary declaration ( of overpayment -yes I was advised to 'own up' as soon as I became aware ) after a year they just started taking money off, with no calculation and no start and stop dates

and like you I couldnt get diddly squat out of them

[mikey4444]

djdjt.....It seems a bit odd that they are asking you for money, without any explanation of why you are owing and what benefit or pension it is concerned with !

I would proceed with caution here !

[Peter Pedant]

They might do that if it were an office cuck-up and they were trying to keep it in-office

I was asked to sit in on a neighbour - at an interview at home

and she blasted off with - right you have been overpaid as a result of statements you have made, and we want you to start repayment at £25

and I completely incredulous said
Can we see the papers on this ? you were looking at them 10 seconds ago

and she said no - data protection !
and I said yes data protection - they are his data....

and then I said I require you to identify yourself and the office you have comefrom...

and she said - if you do not state you are going to appeal, the deductions sstart immediately

[wolf63]

Have you been told the amount and period that your benefit was overpaid for? If you were in recent of benefit during this time was there a change in your circumstances (New income, increase in income or moving in with a new partner. etc)?

Have you changed address since that time - they may have sent letters to a previous address.

I think that it is highly unlikely that they will just write it off.