An OAP has been hit with a social security bill of more than £17,000 because he was paid £66 for working one day as a film extra.
Robert Stark retired from his job in 2019 after working for over 30 years for a heating products company.
In 2021, he worked one day as a film extra, not for the extra money but to add a bit of excitement to his golden years.
Robert said: “Once retired, I had the opportunity to work as an extra.
“Playing the role of a lawyer from the Trento Court in the film about Ilaria Capua, ‘The Virus Trafficker’.
“I liked the plot inspired by the story of the famous virologist unjustly accused of illicit virus trafficking.
“So, on 22 June 2021, I received a payment of 77 euros for my day’s work.”
Robert, of Merano, Italy, was paid above board for his day of background acting.
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However, he soon received an unpleasant surprise from the INPS – Italy’s social security system – regarding his pension.
He said: “Shortly after, I received a notice from the INPS informing me that I had received several months of pension payments improperly.
“Not only that but several subsequent cheques were also suspended.”
According to Robert, the combined total of what the INPS asked him to repay and what they stopped paying him amounts to more than €20,000.
The sole reason for the injunction was that one day of work, he says.
He is now seeking legal advice.
Robert added to local media: “The absurd part is that to get justice, you have to go through the legal system.
“So I’ll have to spend money on a lawyer.”
Local media say his case is similar to that of retired baker Angelo Menapace from Tuenno.
The INPS asked him to repay about €19,500 because he’d received €280 for helping his cousin in a fish shop for a month.
