Firstly, let me start by saying that I have worked most of my life and only had a few months off due to health reasons. I am a very honest person and have always declared everything truthfully. I recently (Dec 2016) received a email stating that I need to confirm my employment income information. When I logged in it asked if I worked for my then employer (this is for 2013-2014 f year) and if the earnings were xxx amount. I didn't think much of it and double checked the amount on my tax return and confirmed yes this is what I received for that year. BIG MISTAKE they come back with a polite thanking me for completing the employment income update and as the information from the ATO was different to what I previously provided is I owe $3976.38 as a result of this assessment. Absolute shock I went in to Centrelink the very next morning they were of no help whatsoever told me the office does not have a debt recovery team and to just call centrelink. I eventually got on the phone to a lady that was extremely rude telling me that this is my debt and I am not the only one and it is because i did not declare my income correctly that i owe this. I was then told I need to get payslips for that period if I want my debt reviewed. I was so traumatised I could not speak anymore. This took my whole working day up and I just went home basically being told this is my debt. When I got home and had a closer look I realised the sneaky wording it asked me if I worked for that whole period 1 Jul 13- 30 Jun 14 which I had not but I just read the total earning amount and assumed they meant for that financial year. I asked for a reassessment online and uploaded some payslips to prove this. The very next day I receive a automated letter saying my review is done and they have made a decision to change the amount that I was entitled to receive and that I have a debt of $3976.38 (same amount) and that a notice will follow. It is now January and my online account states that my reassessment of employment income status is in progress. I have not heard anything else as yet so I am just left feeling helpless and unsure of what is happening- basically being forced to pay "my debt" which I don't even know what it is.
Absolutely disgusting. Saddened that this happens to people that have not done anything wrong and are scared into paying this. I was so traumatised that I had to take time off work and cancel all of my plans before Christmas. Angered that the government can get away with this, they are so useless, they do not care at all and targeting the wrong people.