compliance interview

alexandra wrote: Hi here's an update on my compliance interview. It was indeed, the way I expect a police interview under caution would be, extremely formal, I felt the interviewer was fishing for information, it felt like He was trying to catch me out. At the start of the interview, I asked what it was for, and was told " something had come up with my claim, I started to panick and wondered why he wouldn't tell me why I was there. Then, there followed a series of questions about money coming in and if I had any male friends who stayed with me . At this point I asked if I could voice record the interview on my phone as I felt intimidated. He said I could but told me I would be given a " copy of my statement". I was asked to show bills, in my name, and also at the beginning of my interview had to verify my identity by showing driving licence or passport. He asked me on numerous occasions was this the only money I had coming in, I had taken a letter from a pension company which pays me £68 per year for 5 years, I asked if this was regarded as income and then he said" this is why you are here, you should have told us about this . I told him I didn't think such a small amount would make any difference, I was given a severe reprimand and told as a result of having received this 68 per year, ( I only receive it for 5 years so next year will be the last ) I had been overpaid esa at £1 per week and would need to repay just under £300 and a civil penalty of £50 could be imposed. I'm utterly disgusted by the treatment I received. This type of interview should not be allowed and if I need to go again, I will be seeking representation. Dirty trick by the government to bully and harass some of the most vulnerable members of society, whilst the greedy millionaires can tuck theyr money away in offshore accounts as well as the bankers , they pay no tax and get off Scott free.