This is really off topic.

This is the place for posts that don't fit into any other category.

Moderator: RichardW

Post Reply
Gibbo2286
(Donor 2020)
Posts: 7172
Joined: 08 Jun 2011, 18:04
Location: GL15***
My Cars: 2006 C5 2.0 Litre HDI VTR Automatic Estate.(now sold on)
Currently Renault Zoe 2014 ZE
x 2500

This is really off topic.

Post by Gibbo2286 »

My old friend has a problem and neither she or I know what to do next.

Back in the winter she was expecting a winter fuel payment £300 (She's 81) Mine went into my bank account directly and she kept looking at her bank account to see if hers had arrived, it didn't, she enquired at the post office where she draws her pension and they told her it was there in her account and she could draw it any time she wanted, she decided to leave it there and draw it later for a week-end break.

Come the time for her break and they told her she didn't have the money in her account, she couldn't understand why, she hadn't drawn it out.

She rang the post office help line but the guy who answered kept just telling her she must have withdrawn it.

I asked her yesterdday if she'd ever got the matter resolved, she says she hasn't and is more or less resigned to the fact that it's lost.

So she's old but she's not lost her marbles, if she says she hasn't drawn the money out then she most certainly hasn't.

Any suggestions? The money's gone somewhere, a glitch in the system or some sleight of hand by those in control.
Man is, by nature, a lazy beast, he does not need twice encouraging to do nothing.
User avatar
GiveMeABreak
Forum Admin Team
Posts: 37014
Joined: 15 Sep 2015, 19:38
Location: West Wales
My Cars: C3 Aircross SUV HDi Flair Peperoncino Red (The Chili Hornet)
C5 X7 2.0 HDi Exclusive Mativoire Beige (The Golden Hornet)
C3 1.6 HDi Exclusive Aluminium Grey (The Silver Hornet)
C5 MK II 2.0 HDi Exclusive Obsidian Black
C5 MK I 2.0 HDi SX Wicked Red
Xantia S2 2.0 HDi SX Hermes Red
C15 Romahome White
XM 2.0 Turbo Prestige Emerald Green Pearlescent
XM 2.0 Turbo Prestige Polar White
XM 2.0 SX Polar White
CX 20 Polar White
GS 1220 Geranium Red
CX 2.4 Prestige C-Matic Nevada Beige
GS 1000 Cedreat Yellow
x 5648

Re: This is really off topic.

Post by GiveMeABreak »

Regardless of what account she has, there must be a record of the transaction. I would ask to see proof of the withdrawal. Even if it is done with a chip and Pin, there has to be a record of A) the money going in and b) of it being withdrawn. Don't resign to leave it at that, she needs to know on principle and to be sure nothing untoward has happened or any sort of fraud by another party Gibbo.
Please Don't PM Me For Technical Help

Marc
User avatar
white exec
Moderating Team
Posts: 7445
Joined: 21 Dec 2015, 12:46
Location: Sayalonga, Malaga, Spain
My Cars: 1996 XM 2.5TD Exclusive hatch RHD
1992 BX19D Millesime hatch LHD
previously 1989 BX19RD, 1998 ZX 1.9D auto, 2001 Xantia 1.8i auto
and lots of Rovers before that: 1935 Ten, 1947 Sixteen, 1960 P5 3-litre, 1966 P6 2000, 1972 P6 2000TC, and 1975 P6B 3500S
x 1752

Re: This is really off topic.

Post by white exec »

That's dreadful. There has to be a detailed on-line or paper statement available. Nothing moves in or out of an account without leaving a trace. DWP will also be able to confirm whether it was paid.
Chris
Gibbo2286
(Donor 2020)
Posts: 7172
Joined: 08 Jun 2011, 18:04
Location: GL15***
My Cars: 2006 C5 2.0 Litre HDI VTR Automatic Estate.(now sold on)
Currently Renault Zoe 2014 ZE
x 2500

Re: This is really off topic.

Post by Gibbo2286 »

There seems to be difficulty in contacting any of the likely departments, they are unlikely to talk to me anyway, I don't of course have access to her personal stuff and she's too proud/stubborn to let anyone act for her.
Man is, by nature, a lazy beast, he does not need twice encouraging to do nothing.
User avatar
Sloppysod
Donor 2024
Posts: 966
Joined: 23 May 2015, 23:35
Location: North Wales
My Cars: Citroens
1 x GS, 1 x GSX (Banger raced), 1 x GSA,
2 x CX Famililles, 1 x CX GTI,
BX, XM, Xantia, C5 Mk1,
C4 (Coupe), C4 (B7),
C5 (X7)

Renault
R4 Van
Fuego
Clio Campas
x 212

Re: This is really off topic.

Post by Sloppysod »

Gibbo2286 wrote: 02 Jul 2018, 12:52 There seems to be difficulty in contacting any of the likely departments, they are unlikely to talk to me anyway, I don't of course have access to her personal stuff and she's too proud/stubborn to let anyone act for her.

Invite yourself round her place for a cup of tea, and say you will bring the cake, then bring the conversation around to the bank, get her to call them while you are there.

Note. Some people need to think it was their idea, so plant the seed and let it grow, it may take two visits/cakes, but it will be worth it.
Stu 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿

"Some cause happiness wherever they go, others whenever they go"Oscar Wilde (1854-1900)

Major interventions
C5 Steering rack @ 58,000 mi
4 discs & Pads @ 63,585 mi
2 (AM6) oil exchanges @ 58,876 & 72,378 mi
Gibbo2286
(Donor 2020)
Posts: 7172
Joined: 08 Jun 2011, 18:04
Location: GL15***
My Cars: 2006 C5 2.0 Litre HDI VTR Automatic Estate.(now sold on)
Currently Renault Zoe 2014 ZE
x 2500

Re: This is really off topic.

Post by Gibbo2286 »

I've actually contacted the DWP by Email without naming her, they sent a reply that they will contact me within 48 hours, I told her this afternoon and she's happy to go with it if they ask for her details.

She said again that she's absolutely sure that she hasn't withdrawn it.

Wait and see now.
Man is, by nature, a lazy beast, he does not need twice encouraging to do nothing.
JohnD
(Donor 2022)
Posts: 2632
Joined: 14 Mar 2001, 23:41
Location: Epsom, Surrey
My Cars: 2010 Citroen C5-X7 tourer
1998 Citroen Saxo 1.5D
2018 Citroen C4-B7
1998 Peugeot 306. 1.9D
2011 Citroen C1
x 72
Contact:

Re: This is really off topic.

Post by JohnD »

A number of years ago the small sub-post-office cum papershop/tobacconist on our local broadway was run by a young couple with two tiny kids. All the local people thought very highly of them because of their helpfulness and friendliness. As online management of financial transactions was creeping in, many local residents refused to use the internet, preferring to remain loyal to the sub-post-office. My late wife was one such customer - insisting on leaving her pension account with the couple. Imagine our utter astonishment when one day we found the post-office closed and read in the local press that the couple had been charged with embezzlement. How many customers lost money, no one knows but it was sufficient for them to both 'do time'.
2010 C5 X7 VTR+Nav 160
1998 1.5 Saxo
1998 Pug 306 1.9D
2018 C4 B7 VTR+
2011 Citroen C1
Peter.N.
Moderating Team
Posts: 11563
Joined: 02 Apr 2005, 16:11
Location: Charmouth,Dorset
My Cars: Currently:

C5 X7 VTR + Satnav Hdi estate Silver
C5 X7 VTR + Hdi Estate 2008 Red

In the past: 3, CX td Safaris and about 7, XM td estates. Lovely cars.
x 1199

Re: This is really off topic.

Post by Peter.N. »

As Chris says, there must be a record of the transaction so it obviously needs persistence. Pleased to hear she was getting £300 though, I only get £200 but I'm 80 next year 8-) .

Peter
JohnD
(Donor 2022)
Posts: 2632
Joined: 14 Mar 2001, 23:41
Location: Epsom, Surrey
My Cars: 2010 Citroen C5-X7 tourer
1998 Citroen Saxo 1.5D
2018 Citroen C4-B7
1998 Peugeot 306. 1.9D
2011 Citroen C1
x 72
Contact:

Re: This is really off topic.

Post by JohnD »

Peter.N. wrote: 04 Jul 2018, 10:34 I only get £200 but I'm 80 next year 8-) .


So you must live with someone who is under 80. You get £300 if you are over 80 and live alone.
2010 C5 X7 VTR+Nav 160
1998 1.5 Saxo
1998 Pug 306 1.9D
2018 C4 B7 VTR+
2011 Citroen C1
Peter.N.
Moderating Team
Posts: 11563
Joined: 02 Apr 2005, 16:11
Location: Charmouth,Dorset
My Cars: Currently:

C5 X7 VTR + Satnav Hdi estate Silver
C5 X7 VTR + Hdi Estate 2008 Red

In the past: 3, CX td Safaris and about 7, XM td estates. Lovely cars.
x 1199

Re: This is really off topic.

Post by Peter.N. »

Yes, its my wife but she's catching me up.

Peter
User avatar
van ordinaire
(Donor 2017)
Posts: 2537
Joined: 23 Jun 2015, 14:45
Location: Live & work in London but weekend in Devon (or do I now live in Torbay & work in London?)
My Cars: Citroens:-
'81 2CV Club (quietly sleeping in a parallel universe)
'05 (yes, really) C15
'97 Xantia Exclusive estate
others:-
'96 Jeep Cherokee Limited - the "donor"
'99 Jeep Cherokee Orvis - the green one
'97 Jeep Cherokee Limited - the red one
'99 Cadillac Seville STS
'96 Cadillac Eldorado ETC
& numerous what might be described as abandoned projects!
x 405

Re: This is really off topic.

Post by van ordinaire »

Bit early for winter fuel supplement isn't it - or is this last year's?

In any event, sadly, the lady's right, it's lost! Of course there are records but neither agency will have any interest in consulting/retieving them, answering the phone replying to letters, etc (bet you never got a proper reponse to the e-mail). Most government depts live in fear of an MP's complaint - not the DWP which treats them with the same contempt as those they absurdly call customers: stock reply is along the lines of "sorry can't help, you've not provided enough information!"

A County Court action should work as your almost guaranteed judgment in default (because they'll ignore letters from the Court, same as everyone else's) but then enforcing it will, in practise, be well nigh impossible. Like all these matters of priciple, it's just all too much trouble; they know this - & rely on it.

Better luck next (this?) year!

















o
Citroens:-
'81 2CV Club :cry:
'05 C15 :!:
'97 Xantia Exclusive estate [-o<
others:-
Jeep XJ Cherokees x 3 :?
'96 Cadillac Eldorado
'99 Cadillac STS :|
& the numerous "abandoned projects" #-o
Gibbo2286
(Donor 2020)
Posts: 7172
Joined: 08 Jun 2011, 18:04
Location: GL15***
My Cars: 2006 C5 2.0 Litre HDI VTR Automatic Estate.(now sold on)
Currently Renault Zoe 2014 ZE
x 2500

Re: This is really off topic.

Post by Gibbo2286 »

You're correct about the lack of response Van, nothing back and she's too soft to pursue it further, "I wouldn't want to get the nice people at the post office into trouble."
Man is, by nature, a lazy beast, he does not need twice encouraging to do nothing.
User avatar
Stickyfinger
(Donor 2016)
Posts: 10411
Joined: 28 Mar 2013, 21:05
Location: Somset my lovleee
My Cars: Xantia V6 ACTIVA 3ltr 24v Manual p1
Xm 2.1TD Ph2 Exclusive
AX, little Daffodil
SAXO White Mk1. Sally
x 1280
Contact:

Re: This is really off topic.

Post by Stickyfinger »

I would go and see the manager at the local Main Post Office. Initially, it is the Post Office IT System that needs looking at (for the records) and the manager there would be better placed to assist you.
Alasdair
Activa, the Moose Rider
3x C5x7 Steering racks and counting
Gibbo2286
(Donor 2020)
Posts: 7172
Joined: 08 Jun 2011, 18:04
Location: GL15***
My Cars: 2006 C5 2.0 Litre HDI VTR Automatic Estate.(now sold on)
Currently Renault Zoe 2014 ZE
x 2500

Re: This is really off topic.

Post by Gibbo2286 »

Stickyfinger wrote: 11 Jul 2018, 10:22 I would go and see the manager at the local Main Post Office. Initially, it is the Post Office IT System that needs looking at (for the records) and the manager there would be better placed to assist you.


I'm just going to stand aside now and let it go, she has a daughter who is quite capable of dealing with officialdom who may not know about it, I might drop her a hint if I see her.
Man is, by nature, a lazy beast, he does not need twice encouraging to do nothing.
Peter.N.
Moderating Team
Posts: 11563
Joined: 02 Apr 2005, 16:11
Location: Charmouth,Dorset
My Cars: Currently:

C5 X7 VTR + Satnav Hdi estate Silver
C5 X7 VTR + Hdi Estate 2008 Red

In the past: 3, CX td Safaris and about 7, XM td estates. Lovely cars.
x 1199

Re: This is really off topic.

Post by Peter.N. »

I'm of the same age group but being in business has hardened my views and I couldn't really afford to lose that money.

Peter
Post Reply