mark spurrier;138502 wrote:HMRC rang for my 8 year old.
Apparently she hasn't responded to her tax demands and needed to pay £1200+ today.
Desperate stuff I thought. Anyway, I let them talk to her but she had only got £5 left from her birthday money.
I spoke at length one afternoon on behalf of my 12 year old. given he was at school.
The chap at the other end was very helpful - he explained the consequences and the procedures.
I was unable to go to the dining table but given the serious nature of the matter started having a sandwich whilst on the phone. However 'she who must be obeyed' had an ever growing frown and veins started to appear and eyes began to turn red; at this point I decided that this was far more serious of a matter and tried to end the call.
The ever so helpful gentleman re-iterated the gravity of the situation and in an attempt to fend of the police from turning up at my doorstop expedited the matter (not a norm apparently) and handed me over to his supervisor.
Thereupon I put the phone on loudspeaker and just about encouraged the now barely recognisable (due to smoke appearing from the top of her head) lady of the house, to join me.
The supervisor and I discussed at length the issue at hand and the next steps.
However when asked for card details, we had an issue, I explained that I did not have one. Thus to help he offered to take bank details and even waive the fees (and stop the boys in blue). There again we still had an issue in that I did not have them.
Now the supervisor began to get frustrated and began asking all kinds of questions given he was about to end his shift and really wanted to help. He was amazed that there was no card or bank account. I explained that there was bank account and he urged me to give them else the boys in blue would come and I would not only get arrested but humiliated. Again I could not and after some verbal tennis, I explained that my 12 year old was at school still and when they came home in circa 30 mins he could have them. However in the meantime I suggested that we could get all other parts ready to save time given that 'time is money'.
At this point he supervisor began to get angry said a lot, some which went far over my sense of understanding and some which I am sure were in a language I am not accustomed to. Nevertheless I did understand him explaining that it was illegal and criminal offence to impersonate as being someone else, especially to a government official. However when I tried to explain that I did it as a loving father of a 12 year old whom was unable to make such decisions, partly due to his age and partly due to him not being aware of the laws, the supervisor was seriously stressed as he began exchanges which appeared to be in foreign.
I do remember him asking me to put the phone down. However I tried to explain, that given the seriousness of situation we should try and resolve this matter. However the phone went dead. I suspect that my credit had run out on my phone (especially since we had been on the phone for circa 30mins) , but then I remembered that it was not me who called.
So for all reading, this, if you o get such a call, please make sure you are sitting comfortably, get yourself a beverage, keep calm and above all, keep the conversation flowing.