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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Business
Anna Tims

HMRC is charging me for a student loan that I have never had

The Student Loan Company’s information about how to repay a loan.
The Student Loan Company’s information about how to repay a loan. Photograph: Alamy

HMRC has been deducting £400 a month from my salary since July to repay a student loan. I have never had such a loan. It referred me to the Student Loan Company (SLC) which began an investigation. So far, £4,000 has been deducted, and SLC tells me it has referred £1,500 to a debt collection agency. My MP has contacted SLC without success. Action Fraud can’t help.
LM, London

This has had a catastrophic effect on your finances and wellbeing. SLC managed to wind up its four-month investigation within a week of a press prod. It said: “We recognise LM has been a victim of identity theft. We have stopped all repayments and HMRC will issue a refund as soon as possible.” In taxman terms, unfortunately, that means up to six weeks.

Email your.problems@observer.co.uk. Include an address and phone number. Submission and publication are subject to our terms and conditions

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