DWP Proposing To Scrutinize Bank Accounts?

The blame lies with those who fraudulently claim sickness and disability benefits. They then cause these problems for genuine claimants, and if the DWP don’t investigate they have no idea who’s genuine and who’s not.

Urmstongran

Apparently 20% of Mancunians are claiming sick pay! One in five people. Seriously? That’s a shocking number of people. Topped by Liverpudlians at 25%. This country needs its citizens to fill all these vacant jobs and get working again. No wonder our country is flatlining. We can’t afford these high levels. Plus hotels to house migrants.

Can’t say I’m surprised.
OK, it was years ago now, but before I retired we all had to do online ‘equality and diversity’ training.

This consisted of max 20 minutes of questions with 4 possible answers. If you got one wrong it came back with a cheery, ‘Not quite right - try again!’

One question asked what percentage of local people we thought were disabled. I forget what I ticked - probably the 10% (the lowest option).

The ‘correct’ answer was 20 or 25% - I forget which. I still can’t believe that so many are actually disabled. If the question had asked how many were claiming disability benefit, maybe it was right, though.

Rafichagran, That is no true,there was no evidence of fraud in mun son's case,and he is not under scrutiny now
These DWP B""""""ds are despicable my son was suicidal.did nothing to deserve this and m sure others are going though the same thing.
It was just cruel,especially at Christmas when people were trying to cope with finding money for enough food and heating,fair enough if they really think they have evidence or strong suspicions,but to pick on people who have a miserable enough life as it is and are struggling is as low as they can Get

I really don't know what is going on in this country any more.

The Post Office scandal, NHS doctors threatened if they wanted to speak out about possible crimes, sick and disabled people having to jump through hoops to try to get their entitlements, threats that bank accounts will be investigated, OFSTED bullying head teachers to the point of despair.

How has it come about that these bullies are able to intimidate people, sometimes to the point of suicide?

And, as paddyann pointed out, in the meantime others can get away with massive fraud and be rewarded for it.

🤬

Sadly there are a lot on the right-wing who are fine with thinking a few people are going into abject poverty or even dying. They simply cannot relate nor do the realise that is government policy.

veejayI am so sorry to hear you and your son are going through this. I wish I could suggest someone, or which group you could contact for help. There is "rightsnet" but I'm not totally sure what their remit is but it might be worth looking at www.rightsnet.org.uk/

I have experience of this.and it is absolutely despicable y son had a stroke in September 2022
He last his normal speech,and has other health problems,not least of finding out after his stroke that he had 2 undiagnosed fractures in his back,due to Dr refusing to send him for an X-ray,saying it was muscular
.3 weeks before Christmas he was contacted on his journal,to. send 4 months of bank statements in to them by pdf.
He couldn't do this,and I had no idea how to.he was given 2 weeks to do this
Also had to send some ID by laying passport or driving licence flat on a table,then next to his face.After his he thought hat was it,but no,more to dos came
We found someone who did the Pdfs,
He. Can't speak properly has weakness in his legs,lost so much weight because he couldn't eat or sleep
He was feeling suicidal.
He rang me more than once in the nigh saying he couldn't cope

It was always with the threat of losing his UC
.At last he bought his was finished,but when he tried to log into his bank ,( he had saved password and pin ) he couldn't,we rang the bank and were told his account was under investigation,
We couldn't understand this after everything was cleared
I rang again and told ,no it wasn't now,but he had been logged out
I have spoken to my MP. and also to Mel Stride ,minister for DWP and pensions
Just got an acknowledgement that's all.
One poor lady had her disability stopped and mobility scooter taken off her
They are obviously able to get into bank accounts
My son was almost suicidal.
I pity lots of older people who can't do the pdf thing or have no internet
.
The latest thing they are owing to do is try to access eBay accounts and similar to see if anyone is selling
I don't tnk this should be legal
It was supposed o catching fraudsters,not targeting I'll and disabled,especially when there are medical records etc
Just 5 months after his stroke he was interview on a capability for work assessment
Absolutely disgusting.he hasn't left his flat since his stroke.except for hospital appointments which my daughter took him to
When he went for a check up after his stroke,his Dr didn't even know he had had as stroke
Obviously didn't look at his notes
Also he has had no aftercare whatsoever

I wouldn't be at all surprised Doodledog

The rate at which banks are closing branches, and the number of people who don't trust online banking might lead to a reversion to the use of cash, with people drawing out a sum at the beginning of the week and spending as they go.

I rarely use cash these days, as I rarely shop. I buy everything online, as do most people I know, but maybe that will change if people object to being accountable for everything they spend.

It depends whether HMRC decide to carry out a civil or criminal investigation Katie. If it’s a relatively small matter and you know you’re in the wrong or your accountant says you haven’t a leg to stand on then yes, pay up, penalties included. However if they decide to carry out a criminal investigation - for more serious matters - then the decision whether to prosecute lies with the CPS. A guilty plea will save the costs of a full trial and if imprisonment is a possibility the term may be reduced or possibly suspended.

I think before long legal "trawling" of bank accounts will be commonplace, whether a person is on means tested benefits or not.

I am sure it will only be the "little people" that are held to account by the government though.

Germanshepherdsmum

Do you think HMRC don’t do that? They have very extensive powers and many more prosecutions take place than are reported. And I couldn’t care less because, as I have already said, I have nothing whatsoever to hide.

The vast majority don’t even get to prosecution, it’s all settled before, it’s up to your accountant to prove the taxman wrong.
If you go to court costs are massive, so the usual best option is to settle, even if you think you are right.

I look forward to your ignoring all my posts DAR, though I suspect you won’t.

Doodledog

crazyH

What ???? We can spend our SP - I wish they’ll delve into the physical abilities of those receiving DLA /AA.

I speak as an able-bodied person who is not yet in receipt of a SP, but I think that comment is cruel and unfair. Disabled people, many of whom are ill, or have physical conditions that are not going to improve, have to undergo stringent tests and often humiliating interviews on a regular basis to get the benefits towards which they have contributed in NI payments.

Why anyone would want to make their lives even harder is beyond me.

There's absolutely no assessment for people claiming AA like there is for PIP. In my experience ( having helped over 400 people to claim in the past 2 years) it is pretty easily awarded.

GSM, I decided prople like you are better ignored fairly near the beginning of this thread, but manners got the better of me and I answered you.

I was right the first time. You keep backing a far-right undemocratic state and talking drivel coached as legal knowledge, and I will keep ignoring your posts.

That way we can both be happy.

You would be surprised DAR. I have a good friend who had a senior position in the Inquiry Branch. I could, but obviously won’t, tell you some interesting stories. Suffice it to say that you have no idea what they do.

I have no idea why you think I’m squirming. You talked of all taxpayers’ accounts being monitored for fraud and wished me good luck. There is only one implication there and it’s unpleasant and defamatory. I said I didn’t care - I didn’t say what I think.

I have already said that the successful passage of a bill demonstrates democracy in action. Why do you think otherwise?

And while you’re there - I’m still waiting for answers to the following questions I asked you arising from statements made by you:

1. What is ‘wealth income’?

2. What do you mean by saying that some of us ‘want to join groups such as the Nazis’?

I notice that you have a tendency to avoid answering awkward questions about some of your posts.

Yes. But as with benefits, they cannot go on a fishing trip. They can only do it when they have enough evidencece to do so. Which, I am sure, you are well aware of.

Stop squirming. You are at least know that in this country you are considered innocent, until proved otherwise.

I actually couldn't care less what you think - literally. What I do care about is our democracy.

Do you think HMRC don’t do that? They have very extensive powers and many more prosecutions take place than are reported. And I couldn’t care less because, as I have already said, I have nothing whatsoever to hide.

Then you woukd also accept all tax payers would be "monitored" for the same reason - fraud happens.

Good luck with that.

I fail to see anything wrong with banks monitoring the accounts of those on means tested benefits for possible red flags which merit further investigation by the DWP. Fraud happens. And MPs from all parties have voted in favour of this, so what’s undemocratic about it?

What’s this about some of us wanting to join groups such as the Nazis?

The new law turns our sense of justice on its head. Under the new plans, banks will be forced to run monthly or even weekly checks to see if any “red flags” are picked up. This treats people as considered guilty until they prove themselves innocent.

I can think of no modern democracy that can treat people as guilty in this way. The police may not do this. Why do some of you want to join groups such as the Nazis who tried to do this or will you, when we are finally rescued from this appallingly undemocratic government, come out on the streets claiming you "didn't know".

Fortunately for everyone else, it is all down here in black and white.

The accounts of state pensioners in receipt of pension credit can be accessed. Accounts can be accessed in order to see whether investigation is merited, rather than as at present when an investigation has already begun.

Just to be clear, GSM, you are saying the Minister lied to Parliament? Twice? I mean, nothing about this government leads me to believe they are truthful, but governments have fallen due to Ministers misleading the House, and I am surprised no opposition politicians have raised the matter.

Also, my interpretation of some of the amendments (you will know which from your reading) is that they require banks to regularly and routinely trawl bank accounts, in order that fraudulent or inconsistent levels of income/savings can be identified, rather than that they can only be accessed if fraud is suspected. Can you signpost me to where this is disproved, please?

Did you not see what I said above about the purpose for which the bill allows accounts to be accessed DAR? Purely to detect fraud. And maybe you should also study the data protection provisions too - far more numerous than those about benefits.

Urmstongran

Might they also check pensioner’s bank statements for a wider audience, ie their adult children who receive benefits?

I heard (years ago) of a couple who ‘hid’ money in their 4 parents bank accounts for them to open ISAs - so the couple ended up with 6 ISA accounts that way.

One of the reasons for wanting Pensioner information would be to turn it into a commodity that could be sold, Urmstongran.

The primary source is always the best and most trustworthy, don’t you think? At least, that’s the source I was trained to consult, be it statute or judgment of the court.