From day one I’ve been treated like a criminal

When I first split from my Ex I agreed to pay an amount which as it turned out was way in excess of what the CSA would have expected me to pay. I did this for about 2 1/2 years until such time as it became apparent that I just couldn’t afford to keep it up at that level as I was falling into debt. I agreed with my Ex that for a while at least I would reduce the amount I was paying by direct debit to an amount which was a little less than that required under CSA rules. This lasted around 2 months before my Ex came to me asking for more money each month and quoting a school trip as a pressing need and threatening CSA involvement. I agreed to up the amount per month a little and to pay for the school trip in full providing we could exclude CSA involvement to which she agreed. I immediately amended the direct debit and wrote a cheque for the cost of the trip.

The day after the cheque cleared I got a call from the CSA. These people are just shocking simply shocking. From day 1 I was made to feel like a criminal. I was told to provide detailed information within 7 days (information which having jus moved house and trying to hold down a full time job and look after my children was not easy to put my hands on but I managed it.) I was then told I would be “investigated” and “aarangements made” to collect what they decided I owed! I was surprised and not a little hurt by all this and explained that I’d agreed an amount, had a direct debit in place already, and had never ever since the day I split missed a payment. I’d also until that point seen my children every single day one way or another. I had of course to accept what they told me but asked what I should do in the mean time and again quite agressively I was told under no circumstances should I stop making direct debit payments but should just wait until I heard from them as there collections would be adjusted.

Not long after I went into hospital and on coming out found that a deduction of earning order had been set up and “arrears” collected which of course took no account of the direct debit payments I’d been maiking in the mean time. Since them my Ex decided the children couldn’t stay with me overnight (I can’t think why!!) and I had to go through a lengthy and very expensice court battle to be allowed to see them on anything other than her terms.

I had to proved evidence of payments to CSA (why do they only take one persons word for anything. My Ex can say anything literally anything and has to provide no proof what so ever (same applied in court) and the whole thing took months at the end of which I still had to pay by deduction of earning and pay £1 for the privelidge. this is something which has rankled with me for years more than anything else they did including overpayments. It publicises my private affairs within my company but above all makes me feel like a criminal. I’ve complained many times and been told if I’d queried it before it was set up I could’ve continued to pay by direct debit but not now – How could I query it when I was in hospital when it was set up. I’m about to change jobs shortly when I’m sure they will take more money and I don’t mind that but wondered whether I might be able change from paying by DEO? sorry for writing so much but even years later I still had a lot to get off my chest