British Legal problem - Anyone help?

DJ_Spider

I used to live in the UK and was on the dole several times. Up until 2007 I was using another name that was my original name as I was adopted. I reverted back to my legal name and have used it since. I have been living in Ireland for about 18 months with a friend. I got a letter today from DWP in Belfast addressed to me in my old name. It was dated the 12th Sept and I got it today, (18th Sept) it was sent by 2nd class royal mail.

It said the records they have shows I still owe them about £400 and if I do not contact them by 26th Sept they will pass it onto a debt recovery company. That gives me less than 10 days. Now my query is this, if I haven't used the name on the letter since 2000, am I still liable for this money? Also I have had letters sent to me here in my current name, so why address me using my old name?

The only thing I can think of is crisis loans that they did not take all the money back for. When you need money in a hurry in the UK they give you a crisis loan to live on, then take so much per week back out of your dole. I have had crisis loans in the past while using the old name, but as I have had ones since, I believed they had been paid back.

Could I just ignore the letter and when they send another one send it back saying not known at this address? or if the bayliffs come say I am not Mr ******?

The house I live in is not mine, so if the bayliffs came they would not really be allowed in as I do not own the house and the owner could refuse them entry correct? I have no goods for them to take and sell, and no income as I am waiting for benefit. I have a good friend in the UK who has lent me money to live on and is not in a hurry for me to pay them back.

I know this might be outside people's knowledge here, but will post on other groups. Thanks.

Rhonda9000

DJ_Spider wrote:

I have had crisis loans in the past while using the old name, but as I have had ones since, I believed they had been paid back.

Do you owe them money or not?

I'm sure the social welfare services have seen every identity/postal address/complex story/debt recovery technicalities/trick/smoke/mirror chop and change -genuine or otherwise- in the book.

If you received the letter and there is some legitimate error I wouldn't worry..

North&South

With the DWP, because it is a Government Debt, it won't go away.
Is there anything like Citizens Advice in Ireland? If so, I would go & get some advice on the best way to propose payment.

Ok, so you now live in Ireland & can claim benefit there as it is a different country, you can claim 'crisis' type loans, again, it's a different country & the UK DWP can't interfere with that.

This debt, however, will be there until you pay up. You can leave certain debts in the UK behind, usually because it's too much time & expense for them to chase you through the courts, but you can never dodge the Taxman or Government debts, because they WILL take the time & trouble to pursue.
I don't know if they can use REMO to chase you, but it's worth a google to see.

Forewarned is forearmed!

Tom Young

Citizens Advice: Pay the debt. Sorry for giving advice Moderators.