Threats of action for almost £500 of debt kept a Dundee pensioner awake all weekend – for what he thought was £3 of arrears.
The demand for money was made after a council blunder, but the 74-year-old man who has never been in debt was left fretting and upset all weekend.
John Hall, 74, said a mix-up with his council tax led to £1 less being paid for three months, but he thought the matter had been dealt with.
However, on Saturday he received a letter from Dundee City Council’s debt management department saying he had just days to pay £490.50, or proceedings would begin causing panic.
He said: “It said they would have my bank arrested or start reclaiming the amount from my stuff. I hold my hands up to being £3 short but I had sorted that out.”
John said he was aware his council tax was £1 short for an unknown reason in May, June and July, but said this was rectified in his August payment.
However, he said when he contacted the council first thing on Monday morning they told him all his payments for the three months had ‘disappeared.’
He said: “I knew I was up to date. I looked through my bank statements.
“They had received April, August and September as normal but had lost the three months in between.
“They said maybe I changed my bank account but I have had a standing order for 40 years.
“I felt totally harassed by this. I’ve had two sleepless nights worrying.
“I’ve been watching Jeremy Kyle from 4am this morning to get my mind off this.
“I thought it was all over £3. I would have thought there were stages in between before they get a warrant to take my stuff.”
While the council confirmed there had been a mistake, John said he wasn’t happy with their response, or the way the situation had been handled in the first place.
“I feel very angry that they have done this, then just laughed it off. They haven’t been up for days worrying about this.
“I get very upset about these things I’ve never been in debt in my life.
“I want a correction and apology from them in writing to prove this is all over now.”
A Dundee City Council spokeswoman said: “We have apologised to Mr Hall for any inconvenience caused.
“Officers have clarified the situation and have now cancelled the warrant. We are now looking carefully into the circumstances of this case.”