HMRC cockups- are they for real?

[sasguru]

I would discourage you from starting anything - anything.

Just stop any activity you are doing at the moment and don't start anything new.

Yeah but who gives a crap what a jumped-up admin clerk like you says?

[MyUserName]

I got caught out when I paid my VAT and then they took it by direct debit as well. I phoned them and asked about it and they apologised, explaining that the take the direct debit if it is set up whether they money is due or not. I had no idea.

They refunded it without a fuss though.

[centurian]

I got caught out when I paid my VAT and then they took it by direct debit as well. I phoned them and asked about it and they apologised, explaining that the take the direct debit if it is set up whether they money is due or not. I had no idea.

They refunded it without a fuss though.

I did that as well - they automatically refunded me by sending me a cheque. The bank clerk very surprised to see a cheque from HMRC for such an amount.