Public Service Announcement - Who's watching you? (And PM requests)

[cojak]

HMRC and scammy, dodgy 'solutions' providers - that's who!

Sharks from both sides of the fence are circling people, sharks who are trying to find an 'in' to get past your defences and grab your money.

Take care who you accept PM's from - don't be too open exchanging information until you've checked them out and they've given you real life references.

A particular tactic is to pretend to be a fellow punter and ask you to email them outside CUK as they 'don't trust messages' - why do you think they say that?

(Oh, and don't fall for sob stories either. Tugging on heart strings is very easy for those who have no heart-strings of their own...)

This is the end of the public service announcement.

[phil@pmtc]

can I just add that there's a very good reason Cojak made this thread. It really is worth being paranoid over this. On the plus side, nobody would watch if they weren't worried about something.

[webberg]

I will also add that we are now aware of two firms who are selling for substantial sums, bits of paper saying that a loan no longer exists or that a loan has been written off and claiming that HMRC will require these as "proof".

This is incorrect.

HMRC does not require third party corroboration of a loan write off.

A statement from a trustee that a loan has been written off in the past, is likely to be rejected by HMRC or at least be subject to a long and expensive enquiry.

DO NOT PAY THESE PEOPLE.

[flamel]

Say hello to HMRC too

[cojak]

I've decided to re-sticky this.

[eek]

Can I add -

Don't post things on a public forum that reveal your particular circumstances, issues you have identified with the paperwork you have seen or anything else that it would be better to only talk about were things to actually reach a court or in private with your advisors.

We have seen far too many instances where people post things that tell HMRC / scheme providers what they have found only for it to be worthless later because HMRC / the scheme provider had had time to prepare an argument against that evidence / argument.

[lowpaidworker]

love this thread. Not sure whether to laugh or cry.

Its clearly so so true

[HMRC made Atlas Shrug]

HMRC will accept a letter from the trust saying loan is written off

I will also add that we are now aware of two firms who are selling for substantial sums, bits of paper saying that a loan no longer exists or that a loan has been written off and claiming that HMRC will require these as "proof".

This is incorrect.

HMRC does not require third party corroboration of a loan write off.

A statement from a trustee that a loan has been written off in the past, is likely to be rejected by HMRC or at least be subject to a long and expensive enquiry.

DO NOT PAY THESE PEOPLE.

This is not me saying HMRC does require a letter, this is me saying it does help having one in my opinion and experience.

I do not know if things changed in the last +/- 5 years, but HMRC accepted without any queries or hold-ups, in fact I think it sped things up, the letter I got from the trust my loans were with as proof, when I had my loans released and it declared to HMRC. So as I say, unless things changed, HMRC does accept the official letter from the trust and in my case, without asking further proof.

However, anybody thinking of getting a fake loan release letter, I suggest do not. You will be in deep deep deep brown stuff with HMRC should they ever find out you lied, I would not do it. Lying to HMRC, never a good idea. Paying tax in the loan will be the last of your worries if you are caught. If you think this can never happen, what do you think is going to happen if an unscrupulous pile of poo ever buy / get hold of the (your) loan book and come after you for the loan repayment ? Do you really think the working at HMRC will not notice you gave then "proof" your loan was released. I think that is a criminal offence.

Sorry I do not have a solution, but be careful about knowingly providing false information to HMRC. But as I said, HMRC accepted the loan released letter I got from my trust, without any issue or holdup.

By the way, getting a fake letter, you are setting yourself up to blackmail !!!