I was recently asked to provide proof of my entitlement to disability living allowance and working tax credits so I thought no problem I can just phone up and get them sent to me, simple.
I called the Department for Work an Pensions for a copy of my proof of DLA entitlement and after being on hold for 5mins I was asked my NI number, my address and the sort code of the bank my payments go to then they told me no problem it would be with me in 5-7 working days, great
I called the HM Revenue and Customs tax credit helpline to get a copy of my proof of WTC entitlement and after being on hold for over an hour listening to music that isn't even in the same league as what AOL's hold system was playing in 1998 I was asked my NI number and told I would be asked a series of security questions and that they used an identity checking company called Experian to verify the answers.
So after being asked a wide range of questions including my mobile phone provider, address, DOB, mothers maiden name, how long I have been a resident, etc, etc I was told the questions didn't match what this Experian company held and as such they could not help me and I would have to personally visit one of their centres in a town 3 miles away (suppose that bit could have been worse) not so they could sort it but so they could confirm my identity so the phone people could help, so they took my phone number (maybe they should have asked for this earlier) and said they would be in touch.
As you can expect I am not best pleased, why is it the DWP have a fully working system yet the HMRC, another government department have to outsource it to some company that cant even keep accurate records of the data their supposed to be confirming. Damn it I knew I picked a bad day to have blood drawn I need a drink now rofl.
I called the Department for Work an Pensions for a copy of my proof of DLA entitlement and after being on hold for 5mins I was asked my NI number, my address and the sort code of the bank my payments go to then they told me no problem it would be with me in 5-7 working days, great
I called the HM Revenue and Customs tax credit helpline to get a copy of my proof of WTC entitlement and after being on hold for over an hour listening to music that isn't even in the same league as what AOL's hold system was playing in 1998 I was asked my NI number and told I would be asked a series of security questions and that they used an identity checking company called Experian to verify the answers.
So after being asked a wide range of questions including my mobile phone provider, address, DOB, mothers maiden name, how long I have been a resident, etc, etc I was told the questions didn't match what this Experian company held and as such they could not help me and I would have to personally visit one of their centres in a town 3 miles away (suppose that bit could have been worse) not so they could sort it but so they could confirm my identity so the phone people could help, so they took my phone number (maybe they should have asked for this earlier) and said they would be in touch.
As you can expect I am not best pleased, why is it the DWP have a fully working system yet the HMRC, another government department have to outsource it to some company that cant even keep accurate records of the data their supposed to be confirming. Damn it I knew I picked a bad day to have blood drawn I need a drink now rofl.
