This is why you must get advice. Glad everything is sorted now.
Just thought I’d update so far. I missed a call from the housing yesterday at 7 minutes to 5 - and then received one today at bang on 9am. The lady who phoned said nothing to worry about, but that I had an invoice for hub overpayment that after all the recalculations is now zero! The small amounts I’ve been paying are now being reimbursed and a letter will be coming out to me to confirm it all!
I’ve yet to hear from the DWP but as it works out there is no overpayment - I can only hope there are no grounds for prosecution! I’ve clearly not created an overpayment of over £5400 through some kind of scam - I’ve created both under and overpayments through neglect and the juggling that is my life - and that of many others!
But I feel I can breathe at least.
Any more I hear I will update accordingly for those who may go through a similar situation. 
Thanks Victoria.
A blank … rather than a bullet … dodged.
80,000 odd caught by the DWP Purge … we have heard from … 3 … so far.
That’s a huge relief for you, all that stress over Christmas for nothing though.
One of my favourite sayings is “Revenge is a dish best served cold”. I don’t lose my temper, but if anyone seriously upsets me I never forget. In time, there is nearly always a way of getting my own back, and benefitting.
You have been under a huge amount of strain. Next step is to make a “Subject Access Request” to DWP, asking for copies of everything they have on file. They should not refuse and have about 30 days to send it all to you.
Then, go through what they have written armed with a highlighter pen, find out how they dreamed up this massive “over payment” and then write and ask for compensation for all the stress etc.
I suspect a Google search will find other examples where this has happened.
DWP should not be allowed to get away with this. How much to ask for? My own starting figure would be around £1,000.
I once had a wonderful holiday in Crete fully funded by people who had annoyed me, been incompetent, and ended up giving me compensation. I have £100 gift voucher in my purse from John Lewis, and they’re about to give me more compensation for something else!!!