A woman has been left stunned by a "ridiculous" complaint which led to an investigation into an honesty box she used to sell apples, pears and eggs from her home.
Storm-Jane Kiedyk, from Glyn Ceiriog, has said she is under investigation by the Department of Work and Pensions after being reported for having an honesty box outside her home.
"I wasn't doing anything to make millions," said Storm.
"I'm not the Glyn Ceiriog Mafia.
"I haven't got millions stuffed under my bed—I'm probably out of pocket."
Storm set up her honesty box after she lost her job at the Ministry of Justice after 25 years due to ill health.
During this time, she has received a pension from her late husband and a small, limited capability for work payment as part of Universal Credit.
"It started as a hobby because I didn’t want the windfalls like apples and pears to go to waste," said Storm.
"I got the produce and just bartered with some of my neighbours really.
"I made whatever they wanted and gave it back to them and they allowed me to sell whatever was left so that I could feed my chickens.
"That is literally it."
She sold the produce along with eggs from the chickens and the money was used to pay for feed, although she estimates she never made any profit before having to suddenly stop a few weeks ago.
"Some nice person—they won't tell me who—has reported me for having an honesty box and gaining financial means without paying tax," said Storm.
"I just wanted a hobby and not waste all this food that seems to go to waste because elderly people have apples and pear trees that they can't collect."
"I know I've told them to take the money away.
"If they're that bothered, they can have it back.
"I don't want it. It's ridiculous. I've worked all my life. All I was trying to do was keep myself sane."
The news has been met with shock by her neighbours who used to pick things up at the honesty box.
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"They are disgusted that the DWP are wasting time on me when they could be focusing it elsewhere," said Storm.
"It's ridiculous, it really is.
"They're wasting time and effort on me when they could be spending it elsewhere on real tax dodgers."
A DWP spokesperson said that while they had received a complaint about the matter, they confirmed that "no investigation is being conducted in relation to Miss Kiedyk’s honesty box".
However, they have confirmed since the complaint a review has been started into Ms Kiedyk's claim on "unrelated matters".
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