A CITY councillor was shocked when he opened a letter from HM Revenue and Customs which said he had not paid enough National Insurance, despite working full-time for the year.
Alex Kear, councillor for Claines, received the letter which said he needed to pay a voluntary contribution of £195 by April 2008 to make up his NI contributions.
When he called to query the contents of the letter he was told it was sent before their computer systems were updated - and was a mistake.
"The letter worries you," he said.
"They were telling me I had not worked for half the year but I had.
"I phoned them and they said there is nothing to worry about, and they said I was not the first person to call. What if I had not queried it?"
Coun Kear, of Gilmour Crescent, Claines, didn't pay the money but worries about other people who may have received the letter and paid without questioning it.
"How many people have paid when they do not need to?" he said.
A spokeswoman for HM Revenue and Customs said: "National Insurance details from 2005-2006 are still in the process of being recorded. When they are recorded a letter is sent."
If anyone receives a letter which they believe to be incorrect they are advised to call HM Revenue and Customs on 0845 915 5996.
- Have you received a letter like this? E-mail Lucy Tatchell on lt@worcesternews.co.uk or call 01905 742253.
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