I paid CSA for my ex and they paid it straight back to me!

October 6, 2012

I would be grateful for some advice.

I paid CSA to my ex and they paid me back instead of paying him.

They said on their system i have paid so if i pay them again it will just say i have paid twice so i can’t do this.

They advised me in a phone call to pay him direct, as any payment to them will just get stuck in the system, i contacted him but he will not give me his bank details so i rang the CSA again and this time they are telling me to pay them direct with my card, as if i pay him direct they will not acknowledge this as a CSA payment.

Two conflicting stories, i don’t know what to do, he didn’t pay enough at the beginning so he doesn’t really deserve this, but i don’t want to get into trouble, but don’t want my payment to just dissappear into oblivion, thats no use to anyone.

Thank you

Comments

  • chall says:

    June,

    If you are supposed to make regular payments through the CSA, then I wouldn’t recommend making a one off direct payment to your ex, regardless of the problems the agency claim to be having with their system.

    Personally, I would keep the returned funds to one side for if/when the agency approach you for the repayment of such. You will then be in a position to clear any arrears that may have accrued.

    chall ~ afairercsaforall

  • j says:

    “chall on October 8th, 2012 2:32 pm
    June,
    Personally, I would keep the returned funds to one side for if/when the agency approach you for the repayment of such. You will then be in a position to clear any arrears that may have accrued.”

    This could of course be six weeks, six months or six years. You may not be in a position to have funds just lying ‘idle’ like that and anyway why should you? If the money is in fact owed then it should be paid, it isnt a ‘goodwill’ gesture, its money for your child, needed by your child. If the money isnt owed then why should you ‘put it aside’ when you could be using it? The chances are the csa are incompetent and have made a mistake and the money is in fact owed. I mean you know what you have paid right? You have bank statements etc.? Stop dealing with them by phone. Put everything in writing, send by recorded delivery, keep copies and postal receipts, insist on written responses. Next make a formal complaint so there is a record of your concerns, protecting your position. Then get a copy of your Data Protection prints (£10) which is a record of the csa dealings with you. Do not give the csa your card details. Get your MP involved to advocate on your behalf, it doesn’t cost anything. Do you have statements from the csa of payments you made and amounts due etc? Get these. Good luck.

  • chall says:

    Quote June; “They advised me in a phone call to pay him direct, as any payment to them will just get stuck in the system…”

    Obviously it is entirely your decision what you do, but bear in mind, if you do make a direct payment and the CSA refuse to accept it as such, you will be liable to pay again.

    chall

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