A mother received an erroneous £5,000 debt notice from the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) due to mistaken identity. Sarah McKenzie, a resident of Belle Vale, has been receiving demands for £5,444.19 from the DWP’s debt department for five years. Despite her efforts to clarify the issue with the DWP and being reassured that she does not owe the money, Sarah continued to receive the debt letters, which have taken a toll on her mental well-being.
Sarah, who looks after her 23-year-old autistic son Adam, explained that the discrepancy was due to a difference in their national insurance numbers, resulting in a case of mistaken identity. She has been troubled by the relentless pursuit for payment, with the letters bearing another woman’s national insurance number. Despite repeated calls to the DWP to rectify the situation, Sarah persisted in receiving the demands.
The DWP has issued an apology and confirmed the correction of their records. A spokesperson assured that Ms. McKenzie will no longer be troubled by these letters. However, Sarah mentioned that the letters ceased temporarily when she changed her address but resumed approximately three years ago, exacerbating her mental stress as the demanded amount is causing significant distress.
Expressing her anguish, Sarah revealed the emotional turmoil caused by the situation, especially given her current challenges with her son’s health. She described feeling overwhelmed and distraught upon receiving the initial letter, highlighting the financial burden it imposed on her as a single mother on benefits. The DWP spokesperson acknowledged the error in Ms. McKenzie’s records, extending an apology for the inconvenience caused.
The ongoing issue has significantly impacted Sarah’s well-being, adding unnecessary stress to her already challenging circumstances.