PFD Error Has Alaskans Seeking Answers

October 14, 2011|By Ted Land | Channel 2 News

ANCHORAGE, Alaska — Alaskans affected by a PFD mistake showed up Friday at a busy state office, seeking an explanation for why their dividends suddenly disappeared.

Some had heard the news, others were just learning that PFD managers made a software mistake and accidentally distributed some dividends, when they should've just held onto the money.

In most cases, the payments in question were being garnished, for a variety of reasons, though it was usually because the recipient owed someone money.

The PFD division said it deeply regrets the mistake and that a software error is to blame.

But the problem, say those affected, is that the division took the money back out of their accounts without warning.

“A couple days ago it was in there and now it’s not,” said Jim Christiansen, who drove in from Big Lake.

The PFD has been good to Christiansen. He was around for the first one and over the years the payments have always arrived on time, which is why he was so confused when his 2011 dividend suddenly vanished from his account.

He said he doesn’t have any debt and doesn’t owe anyone money.

“I've got a mortgage that I pay and luckily I haven’t been late in about 7 or 8 years,” he said.

Musa Touray showed up to the office looking a little panicked.

“So bad, so bad, because I’m moving out of state for good and I’m leaving tomorrow,” he said.

He says owes the courts money, which could explain where his dividend went, but an apologetic staffer couldn’t tell Touray why he even received a payment in the first place.

Deborah Bitney, PFD Division Director said her team is still sorting through the problem, and hopes to have a better explanation next week.

In the meantime, she says people who may be affected by the error should keep an eye on the PFD website for updates.

November Update: Individuals affected by the PFD glitch are receiving their payment, according to the PFD division.

All amounts should be paid out by December 31^st, 2011. To check the status of your dividend, more information can be found here and at the PFD website. This year’s PFD amount was $1,174.

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