Tuesday, June 18, 2013
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$7 Million Mistake by the PFD OfficeAn oversight at the Permanent Fund Dividend Office is causing a slew of problems for 5,500 Alaskans. Due to a processing error, some Alaskans' PFD checks were not garnished.
Amy Carter sat in her living room, listening to the busy signal music on her iPhone as she waited to speak with a representative from the Permanent Fund Division office.
A week after Carter, her husband and thousands of other Alaskans received a permanent fund dividend, the Department of Revenue announced it had made a mistake: Instead of garnishing the PFD’s of nearly 5,500 residents who owed money to the state, it had distributed them in the full amount. After discovering the error Monday, the department tried to retrieve the money, canceling paper checks and reversing direct deposits. Many recipients were faced with negative account balances when the department unexpectedly withdrew nearly $1,200 from their accounts, but Carter faced a different problem. Like nearly 3,600 other Alaskans, her husband’s direct deposit had been reversed when the department claimed his dividend was due to be garnished. Unlike others, state records indicated he was not. The money was then redeposited into their joint account, and Carter’s bank statement reveals the progression of deposits and withdrawals. It shows something else, too. When the money was taken from their account, it incurred a $25 bank fee. While the entire dividend was returned within hours, the bank fee remained. “I’m going to have nightmares of this song,” said Carter, listening to the looping elevator music playing through her phone. More than an hour after she called the Permanent Fund Division office to sort out the problem, she’s still on hold. When a representative finally picked up the phone, they told her they couldn’t help. Because it was her husband’s dividend, she would need a court order or power of attorney to discuss the case. Since the overdraft fee was applied to their joint account, she asked if the office would pay the $25 charge. “I don’t know what you’re referring to,” the representative replied. Frustrated, she asked to speak with a supervisor. “One minute,” said the representative on the other end of the line. Ten minutes later, the hold music was still playing, and when a manager came to phone several minutes after that, they told Carter they didn’t know what to do. Department of Revenue officials said they’re working with businesses and Alaskans to correct the error, but for Carter there were no answers, only a $25 bank fee. |
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jjj said on Sunday, Oct 23 at 11:22 AM
The financial collapse of the United States is very near, If you can't see that you are blind! All banks will close thier doors to the public and your worthless federal reserve notes will disappear! PFD's will be the least of OUR problems! Come on people WAKE UP!!! STOP VOTING TRAITORS INTO OFFICE!!
75746196chris c said on Friday, Oct 21 at 11:14 AM
there have been three major dp mess ups since ms bitney, a palin appointee, has been director. first, the entire data base was lost and had to be recovered, last year the pick and click fiasco, and now this idiotic forgot to merge the garnishment data. yes, the cost of fixing all this comes OUT of dividend earnings! Parnell, Commissioner, you need to make a change.
75673339vctrstv@yahoo.com said on Tuesday, Oct 18 at 11:41 PM
i also work too. jb must work for his crack habit. i work to support my family. plus, im a native.
75531817alaskan mom said on Tuesday, Oct 18 at 8:05 PM
JB your are a very racist person. I am a Native who does work and take care of my family. However prices are not going down , they are going up. I pay everything I can. I get up go to work and take care of my family. I AM GUESSING YOUR A LAZY WHITE DRUNK WHO DOESN'T HAVE A LIFE. TAKE YOUR PFD AND BUY ONE. THEY ARE NICE TO HAVE. MAYBE TAKE A KNOWING WHO YOU ARE CLASS, SO YOU CAN SEE HOW RACIST YOU ARE.I will keep you in prayer, not sure it will do you any good, but I will put you in the prayer request line JB.
75528432TVL said on Monday, Oct 17 at 11:06 AM
look at the deduction part of your check.amazing how much they took off.
75450189geuli said on Monday, Oct 17 at 10:47 AM
R WE TELLING THIS STORY IN ALASKA?
75449147chris said on Monday, Oct 17 at 9:49 AM
The dividend is not a welfare program nor is it a subsidization. It is paying alaskans a small percent of what we are owed. The oil which is what this money is dirived from is owned by the people of alaska and your check is your payment for it. As far as those who were garnished, you owe what you owe sorry thats life you still recieved the money it just went to pay what you owe (which you would eventualy have to pay anyway) so... Those who didnt recieve a dividend due to not being able to verify there residence I feel for you if you are a resident. Challange it produce proof to them. Write your senator, Congresman.. As far as the mistake of sending these out fire some one the company who makes the software the people in charge of testing it, ect. . A payout would be a bad Idea and 50,000 is tiny compared to the total fund dont be duped. our dividends are only a small percent of the interest on the fund not the accual fund. Like I said ealier we should go to a share based payout.
75446208Alskangal said on Monday, Oct 17 at 9:42 AM
Did you know anyone can report you for PFD abuse and the State will go after you without proof.And yes it is true, Alaska has the highest energy prices with Enstar being a monopoly. The PFD isn't enough money to cover the costs of energy, just a couple of months.Bur But many
75445914Todd said on Sunday, Oct 16 at 11:35 PM
For those of you with no other input than "stop complaining and take the money and shut up" you are the problem in this state and country. That attitude is just what the state wants us to have. Do you know anything about inflation? With inflation it is like we are only getting less than half the original dividend. The dividend is supposed to help make up for the overpriced energy we pay in Alaska. Yes, we subsidize Tesoro’s profits and since the clowns in Juneau will not do anything about that we deserve these checks. Even though, most of it will go right to the energy companies who are overcharging us. We have the highest energy cost of any energy producing state in the world.
75423741Paul S.in JUNEAU said on Sunday, Oct 16 at 9:28 PM
Last year my wifes PFD was garnished.She received a letter in the mail,prior to getting her"cut",of her PFD.This year however,my wife was not notified of any garnishment.Both our PFD'S were deposited in our account.We have numerous bills,and (food needs),.We used our PFD'Sto help us out.Now, I stand to lose my drivers licese.We might lose our car.And all because ALASKA PFD workers are incompetent at their jjobs
75421311Marie said on Sunday, Oct 16 at 9:16 PM
Well I used my PFD to pay bills,, it was deposited into my savings and I withdrew it from there. The PFD people accessed my checking account to remove my PFD and when it wasn't there I was charged $29.50 for NSF. If anyone else was charged this,I think the State needs to pay this charge back. Like the Enstar mistake and then trying to make others pay for their mistake. It's just a mistake the State needs to live with and next time double check their work. Until then They should refund people people NSF charges
75421013boohoo said on Sunday, Oct 16 at 8:28 PM
omg..what a bunch of crybabies. Just be glad for what you have and get away from the anger. People are not flocking to your god forsaken alaksa for a mere 1000 pfd. get over yourselves.
75419956Laura said on Sunday, Oct 16 at 6:28 PM
The people who weren't entitled to get their dividends know who they are and if they are now suffering because the PFD office is clearing their bank accounts to pay whoever was supposed to get the money too bad. They knew they weren't supposed to get the money in the first place so if they were dishonest and spent it they are getting what they deserve. They should have been honest and given the money back and they wouldn't be in the mess they're in now.
75415847Mick said on Sunday, Oct 16 at 5:24 PM
I also would like a cash out based on length of time living in Alaska.They also need to crackdown on people not living here or working on the slope taking our money.
75412872myrna said on Sunday, Oct 16 at 4:31 PM
Why dont you complaining people just take the money you get and shut up. Why do u gripe as to who should get it and who should not. The good thing about this money is that most of it goes back into the economy which means it helps all of us who live in Alaska. count your blessings.
75409953Todd said on Sunday, Oct 16 at 3:33 PM
The first dividend check was $1000 30 years ago. Now 30 yesra later the checks are only $200 more. Why does the person with 5 kids (and counting) down the street who just moved here get over $8000 and I get $1200 and have lived in Alaska all my life. It is time to calculate the checks based on how long you have lived in Alaska. Or, end the program and divide the money up based on how many years you have lived here. Babies should not get what an adult gets.
75407458Anonymous said on Sunday, Oct 16 at 2:32 PM
Before the pfd is gone by some unnone reason just devide it up and let the state start ove again
75405599akgranny1954 said on Sunday, Oct 16 at 1:38 PM
NEWS FLASH, If you recieved your PFD and were not supposed to, They have cancled those checks if they were mailed OR if it was direct deposited they have reversed that payment ( the Dividend office did this Sat, 10/15). This will open a whole new caN OF WORMS. I commented about a tax issue we had, and that the PFD office took the full amount from both my husband and I,their mistake, well imagine my suprize to see that they took the rest of our PFD's out of our account last night. I think it is time our elected offical take a long hard look at the people handling the disbursment and managing the office at the PFD division. I see many hours on hold in my future.
75404006Deborah said on Sunday, Oct 16 at 1:23 PM
I am happy to receive the PFD as a single woman in Alaska on a fixed income due to health problems. My neighbor is a disabled combat vet & the ambulance charged him $800 just to take him to the hospital. He had to pay most of his PFD money he really needed to buy himself a comfortable chair for his bad back. Thankfully the VA reimbursed him. I live on less than $1100 disability money for about five life threatening illnesses. I've worked all my life, don't consider myself trailor trash, and have a good education. Alot of rich people also get the PFD. Why don't they donate theirs to a good cause such as for homeless women & children in Alaska? I think the PFD is a good thing and does help the economy unless people use it for their drugs, beer, and cigarettes rather than for things like food and clothing and their kids.
75403504WasillaWilly said on Sunday, Oct 16 at 11:26 AM
The solution? Require the state to pay every garnishment that was for child support payments from an absent parent. The other garnishments were for bills--like Mat Su Regional Medical Center. Let those "for profit" hospitals find "profit" somewhere else.
75399904g.r.halll said on Sunday, Oct 16 at 11:17 AM
While there are many good situations for Alaska people with this fund..does it also show the false idea that every state in the Union should not be under any Federal rules and only..key word..their state rules..ie state government ..only..can of course make mistakes as well as any Federal government program can also.
75399672vctrstv@yahoo.com said on Saturday, Oct 15 at 7:06 PM
pretty sure, if they had dividends in there own country, if i moved there, would i get the same privilege to get a share after living in there country for a couple of years? guess not.
75376757David said on Saturday, Oct 15 at 6:05 PM
I think its great all the free money we get to help boost our economy right before winter! Thanks PFD office! I can't believe some people feel entitled to it.
75374702akgranny1954 said on Saturday, Oct 15 at 5:53 PM
I really have to wonder just who at the PFD office decides what accounts to take from. THEY ARE VERY INEPT at their job, and should be replaced. I think it is a job that is given on the basis of who you know. Weare working with the IRS over a tax mistake, from 2008. There was income reported by mistake. Well the PFD took the full amount that mistake would have cost us. They took it from my husband AND I. So we double paid something the IRS now says we did not owe in the 1 st place. I am sure we will have fun getting these funds back. We as Alaskans need to take a close look at who is making these errors at the PFD office, and get rid of them. Reguardless who they are related to.
75374277Marcus.a said on Saturday, Oct 15 at 2:31 PM
Come on everybody!! lets do a pay out already up to close to $50,000 a person then the pfd will start over again,lets vote!! since all the other states are broke they'll figure out some way of taking our pfd soon or the stocks will drop again and as usual will lose another BILLION!!
75368352akyank said on Saturday, Oct 15 at 2:27 PM
those who accept gov money, must accept the chains that go with it. the permanent fund was set up so alaskans could get a "piece" of the profit from the removal and sale of NATURAL resources God gave to Alaska. you get a piece, if you register, follow THEIR rules and play their game. don't like it? don't apply. as there are only /- 750,000 alaskans, yes!!! we have received far less welfare, etc, than a state with 10 million people. but!!! we ahve received far too much... anyhow. want a dividend? live here 2 years (first year is a gimme to the state), apply and then collect it. unless you are stupid, and applied when you had monetary issues with the state gov... are you THAT dumb? hugs!!!
75368221Gee said on Saturday, Oct 15 at 12:33 PM
OOPs. My Bad says the highly paid tenured, union employee
75364507LB said on Saturday, Oct 15 at 11:13 AM
OK JB, to be so rude in your post and call people trash.....you sure seem like you need to take a few grammar courses yourself. Learn to write! I personally live in a half a million dollar home so I am not "trailer trash" as you call them, but at least I have the ability to write a correct sentence. And by the way the correct use is THERE not THEIR.
75362126JB said on Saturday, Oct 15 at 10:46 AM
THE ALASKAN PFD WAS SET UP BY OUR VERY OWN TED STEVENS IN THE LIKES AN MINDS OF THE INDEGINOUS PEOPLE OF ALASKA.. NOT SOME GREEDY HILLBILLY MOVING HIS OR HER FAMILY FROM THE 48 TO ALASKA... THE FACT IS MANY NATIVES HERE IN ALASKA ARE TOO LAZY TOO WORK.. AN NO MEDICAL BILLS ARE PAID EITHER... BUT ILL TELL YOU WHAT... THEIR ARE MORE TRAILER TRASH LIVING OFF WELFARE IN SAN FRANSICO AN GOVERNMENT MONEY THAN IN ALASKA ALL TOGETHER
75361303tbarr said on Saturday, Oct 15 at 10:34 AM
I think the pfd checks should be assigned to alaskan born people and for people who have been here as life long residents...i guess whoever wants one will only have to be an AK resident for a minimum of two years...what is that about?
75360872Jack said on Saturday, Oct 15 at 10:32 AM
It should all be donated to the Federal Governement for all the years Alaska has sucked up the Federal Pork.
75360833Chris said on Saturday, Oct 15 at 9:15 AM
The PFD should be changed and set up as a share program. Everyone who currenly gets a dividend should be issued 100 shares. Next year all appilcants who meet the criteria are issued 5 shares adding to the total of outstanding shares thus slightly deminishing there value. Your dividends would then be payed based on your number of shares(your time investing in or state)If you left the state each year you would lose 10 shares those share would be reabsorbed by the state.I believe this would be a fair way to distribute the fund. Giving more to those who had invested more years into building this state and stoping the 3 year man from recieveing the same as a man who has invested in this state for 30 years..
75358164WasillaSourDough said on Saturday, Oct 15 at 6:54 AM
PFD: No application requires "proof of paying rent"! Family PFD's go to support the increased cost of living in AK--some fortunate families faithful put away PFD money for college or donate to charity at PFD filing time. It is ignorant and nonsensical to think people would have another child for $1174!! I feel the state should accept responsibility for the "child support" not withheld--but Mat Su Regional Hospital can suck rocks!
75353349Toby said on Friday, Oct 14 at 10:57 PM
On the PFD…Who ever set up the rules for the PFD had about as much foresight and common sense as those who set up the "cash for clunkers." Number one, it should have never been every man, woman and child who lives in Alaska. That encourages people to have a big family, raise the children on Piolt Bread and water and drive a new 350D FORD Crew Cab around. It should have ben set up for those Alaskan residents 21yo and over only to receive the PFD. The Alaskan children's education/ collage/trade school in Alaska could be paid for by the state with money from what they would have received from a PFD, then when they are 21yo and if they still live and work in Alaska they would receive a PFD just like every other working resident of ALaska. DO you really think these people are putting their 3mo. old child or 5yo child or 16yo child's PFD into a fund for his collage?
75343829Toby said on Friday, Oct 14 at 10:27 PM
On the guns…Maybe at some time I may be able to stop some shooter from killing a bunch of innocent people at a hair salon!" No it wouldn't stop that either because that kind of a person do not have a registered gun and does not obey nor respect the laws of the land.
75343448Big Dan said on Friday, Oct 14 at 10:22 PM
Well, this comment is not about pfd issues, but about KTVA'a left leaning reporting, specifically this evenings report about what is legal as far as carrying guns in this state. There is no law against carrying a concealed gun (guns are not "weapons") except in establishments tha post a notice that guns are not allowed. I carry every where that is legal to carry, always have, always will. Maybe at some time I may be able to stop some shooter from killing a bunch of innocent people at a hair salon!
75343356Kim Stover Strain; Lifetime Alaskan said on Friday, Oct 14 at 10:15 PM
When did they ever ask for proof of paying rent on a PFD application? Or whether or not you are working? Those are not questions asked on the application, so how did they deny it based on that?
75343206Kat said on Friday, Oct 14 at 10:05 PM
Some of us LONG TIME Alaskans were DENIED as well for NO reason....Mine was because I WASNT WORKING!!...Even though we have lived at the same address for 13 years, I DIDNT SHOW PROOF OF PAYING RENT!!...BUT WE OWN OUR HOME!!!...UNREAL....
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