What can I do about alleged CSA arrears?
Hi there. If I may I’ll just quickly explain my situation. I am a night worker so bear with me as I’m a little tired today!
Many years ago I became involved with the CSA after breaking up with my ex wife (I involved the CSA myself) I was making regular self administered payments for my then baby son when the good old CSA decided I should pay more. This I did. Roll on a few years however and my ex wifes new husband adopted my son, so there was then no child maintainence liabilty only alleged arrears.
The claimed arrears stood at £4000, although I’m not sure of any remaining balance as the CSA haven’t yet let me know what I allegedly owe (several emails sent, asking for this info by post) I have been paying the arrears at £10 per week for years now (not sure how many) At one time they told me to stop paying, as I was overpaid, I did so, then they threatened me with court action and debt collectors for non payment?
Also to make matters worse, I could even be paying a debt that doesn’t even exist as the CSA “lost” my file years ago and never found it! These “arrears” materialised soon after my file went missing!
Anyway, sorry for the ramblings, I could go on but I won’t!
All I want is to get my claimed arrears sorted out, if I owe it I’ll pay it gladly. But the CSA won’t show me EVIDENCE that I owe it.
Anything I can do ro get this sorted once and for all because I am convinced that I’ve been ripped off, but no proof.
Kind regards, and great site by the way.
Paul Kiley
2 thoughts on “What can I do about alleged CSA arrears?”
Leave a Reply
Hi,
You need to get a copy of your files from the CSA under the Data Protection Act.
They will charge you £10 for this, but do not pay in cash/cheque/card!! send payment as a postal order, yes this costs a little more, but is better in the long run…
They basically have 40 days to collate everything they have on you, and send you a copy. This includes everything they have on the Computer systems too.
From this, you should be able to see all the payments that you have made, and when, along with all the so called calculations.
You also need to demand, not ask! for a complete breakdown of the so called arrears, plus also ask for a complete payment audit, showing all monies in from you – with dates, and all money out to the PWC – with dates. If they cannot show this, I believe that they are technically in breach of the law for not keeping correct accounts! and that you would/should be able to challenge the “arrears” in court. If they cannot show correct accounting, how can they possibly prove any “arrears”.
Just something to think about…
Hi Paul, your story sounds similar to ours, old arrears, case missing, no breakdoown given. We requested our Data Protection Files and with help we have found that the CSA inputted an IMA incorrectly and backdated it. Therefore there is no breakdown for the arrears – it just shows on the files as an amount that is outstanding. Legal helpers have now produced a report showing this, and now hopefully we can show the CSA where the error has occured. Apparently it is difficult for the CSA to see this on their system – but with the evidence hopefully we are getting somewhere. Definately start with your Data Protection Files. Good Luck, hang in there. Ellen x