Anyone else come across the ludicrous problem of TCO not accepting copies of TC689 ? We tend to send one each time we write to them as there've been numerous times when we've been told we're not on the system. This policy would mean we'd have to ask the client to sign half a dozen or so just in case.

In this particular case I know I definitely sent an original as I'd also written to CB at same time and told them I was sending a copy as the original had gone to TCO. However TCO have written to my client with another asking for it to be completed as they say mine was a copy.

Of course I understand about data protection (as they patronizingly suggest when questioned) but it seems to me they're just being bloody minded at times.

I don't understand why you are having problems. We always fax TC 689 - never post it. We are then phoned within a day to say it has been logged on the system. And it has been! About the only part of TCO we can rely on working properly on a consistent basis!

Occasionally a Helpline operative will say there isn't an authority but when we tell them it has been sent & is on the system they manage to look in the right place and find it.

Of course, if they accept a faxed copy (which they regularly do) it is utterly absurd for them to insist on an original if it is sent with a letter.

No there's never a problem with the fax as good old Frank (mentioned and lauded on this site numerous times) invariably gives us a buzz to confirm it's been received. Customer Service at it's best. I can picture him in a nice hat at Buck House when he's awarded his OBE for services to the welfare community.

The particular instance I mention was one whereby I sent off the consents with the claim forms as I just know we'll have cause to ring both as it 's not straighforward.

Frank's told us he isn't able to allocate the TC 689 to a client file/claim if there's none been submitted.

we've just had a letter sent direct to client because our 'copy' (i Know it was the original) can't be accepted. how do we argue this??

Why not everyone get their clients to sign authorities is coloured ink? Nobody can afford colour photocopies. Possibly over a postage stamp like in the old days (I never understood what that was about). It would be hard to argue then...

ariadne -

Wasn't it called stamp duty? And it still was until our last beloved Chancellor turned it into another "stealth" tax & changed it to Stamp Duty Land Tax (& of course hiked the amounts enormously.