Problem with the CSA/CMG

My claim with the CSA was closed a while ago when my ex left the country, not that she was paying anything. I only ever received £188. She is now back in the country but the CSA referred me to the CMG. They are worse than the CSA and I have to pay them for a worse service.
Now the CSA have written to me saying that there are arrears of £24000 but that I have been overpaid £4600. I have only ever received £188. According to the CSA I received £118 per week for a year and a half then £100 per week for another year and a half.
They go on to say that although I owe this money they have written it off. I trust anything that a Government Dept says about as far as I can spit.
So how do I:
a. Get them to recognize that I only ever got £188 so how can I have been overpaid £4600.
b. Who was the £4600 actually paid to.
c. Get an Absolute categorical assurance that they will never come after me in the future for this alleged overpayment.

Hi James

I would go for option C - confirmation that the overpayment has been written off, and that your case is definitely closed; and can you have this in writing from them please?

Why not ask them to deduct the £4600 over payment from the arrears that they need to collect and tell them that you look forward to receiving their cheque for the balance of £19,400 ASAP?

But if I am legitimately owed the £23000 why discuss deducting £4600 that I never received.
If they did in fact pay this out then the CSA needs to find out who they paid it to because it certainly wasn''t me.

But if I am legitimately owed the £23000 why discuss deducting £4600 that I never received.
If they did in fact pay this out then the CSA needs to find out who they paid it to because it certainly wasn''t me.

You''ll probably find it is some sort of clerical matter from re-assessments carried out and that you are owed the difference.

A good starting point would be to make a data protection act request for a copy of all the information they hold on the case. There is now no charge for this.

They will send you reams of paperwork which you will need to check through but from the information you have given your ex WILL have arrears and they are legally obliged to take action to recover these for you.