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just cruel!!

Debt amount: 
$5000
Date debt issued: 
Wednesday, 23 November 2016
Period debt occurred: 
June 2010 to June 2011
Has your case been referred to a collection agency?: 
No
Payment Type: 
Parenting Payment
Appealing Debt?: 
Yes in process
Tell us about your debt and how has this affected you? e.g. anxiety levels, financial and accommodation stress: 

Just before Christmas 2016, the letter mentioned debt collectors. From years before. No breakdown of the debt.
I was anxious and intimidated. I entered into a payment plan when I rang.
I said how could that happen as my earnings are all on paper at end of each financial year so why didn't they rectify any problems at tax time, if there were any discrepancies??

I paid the debt in full over 2 years before realising all the drama that had been unfolding. I submitted an online request for review of it all.
It took them 3 months to contact me.
They said about the appeal process and get all my proof of payments etc. Had to ring them months later, got told completely different info.

I still haven't got my payslips.
Being told you owe $5000 just before Christmas when you are a low income earner, and from years before, was very distressing to say the least and the thought of having a debt collector at my door made me feel very anxious.

How do you feel about the way the Government has handled this process?: 

Absolutely terribly and posting these letters just before Christmas and 6 years later after the supposed overpayment?? That's just cruel!!

Try ringing Centrelink to get the correct advice and submit an online query and see how long they take to get back to you.
They want people to forget about it and not pursue it.
I can't afford legal help for that.