My daughter was employed by a Job Centre, and worked for 3 months as a temp. She thought that she was paid the right amount, but a year after her leaving, they claimed she was overpaid by £500. She wrote back and asked for an explanation, but they seemed to ignore this, and simply reiterated their claim with no detail. She wrote again, but all she got was essentially the same reply. She has the letters filed. Then recently, they passed the ‘debt’ to what seems like a debt collecting agency, who are now demanding £1000 – the extra for admin.

She is not rich, but is honest – and really worried now. What would be the advice to her now?
Jeff Smith