Suffolk couple's shock after HMRC bereavement letter

Linda Clark, 74, received a letter from HM Revenue and Customs wishing her condolences on the death of her husband Michael, 77, who was eating his lunch next to her.

The couple, who have lived in Stratford St Andrew near Saxmundham for the last 16 years, were left “alarmed” over the mistake, which appears to have never happened before.

Mrs Clark said: "The letter asked me to contact HMRC as soon as possible because I might owe tax on his money, or they might owe tax. I contacted them straight away.

The couple live in Stratford St Andrew (Image: Charlotte Bond)

“After spending nearly an hour on the phone to them, and them speaking to my husband, they agreed that he was very much alive. They could not tell us when he allegedly died, if a death certificate had been provided, or when he had died.

"It was awful. They were very unhelpful. They said they would alter their records but told my husband to phone the Department for Work and Pensions as his pension would have been stopped.

"This proved to be correct, although works and pensions were very helpful. We found the number and called them, and they were absolutely gobsmacked.”

Michael Clark with the condolence letter (Image: Charlotte Bond)

According to Mrs Clark, the DWP told them they had not received the death certificate but “had been advised” of the bereavement.

She added: “They resolved the pension issue and reinstated him on their records. The lady on the phone joked that she had resurrected him.”

The couple were advised to contact other agencies including the fraud squad, who could not find any intention of fraud.

Mrs Clark then wrote a letter to HMRC, describing the experience "alarming and upsetting" as a pension payment was due.

A further phone call to HMRC led to the couple being cut off after 20 minutes.

Mr Clark added: "I couldn't believe it. I couldn't see how they could possibly have sent out the notification without the death certificate.

"I was surprised. Looking back on it now, I can see the funny side, but it could have really upset someone so it shouldn't happen again."

An HMRC spokesperson said: “We’re sorry for the distress caused to Mr Clark and his family and are writing to him to confirm we’ve corrected his record.”