tax credits new security pilot scheme???

jonnyboy82

hi, i called the tax credit helpline with a query i had,the advisor who answered the call said would i mind doing a new security check which will lead to me getting a password,i agreed and the questions he had was regarding my mortgage and name one loan i have with a company i answered and he said it is linked with a company called experian,he then said i had passed that bit and wouuld now ask 2 more questions for my paaword,he then asked me to think of my first job and my fathers first job he said just keep it simple as this will be your password,i got my password and he then said i will need to give you a new number to call but i didnt have a pen he said ok just call back the number when you can and im sure you will get the number,he then answered my question i wanted to ask him and the call ended,i came off the phone feeling a bit weird so i called back and the new advisor i spoke to hadnt heard of this so put me on hold came back and said she had spoke to a manager who said there was a pliot scheme started regarding this and a certain call centre was doing this,i said do i need the new number then and she said dont know you should be ok calling the normal tax credit number???.. i just wondered if anyone had this happen to them at all. i just found this a bit coincidental as i live on my own and have today recieved a single person discount review letter just asking if anyone has moved in??? apparently all 2500 persons claiming this also have had this letter,i am disabled and have asd and suffer from paranoia and anxiety so all this just worries me,do the council and tax credits have access to each others systems?, i know people will say well if you have nothing to worry about then dont well its not as easy as that,many thanks for reading and any help would be very welcomed....

tigerlily

Hi, yes benefits, councils etc do have certain access to each others systems to help combat fraud. Not sure about the security thing but. I live on my own and so get 25% off my council tax, I also get a bit of WTC I have not had a letter regarding anyone else moving in and a figure of 2500 for people claiming sounds rediculously low.

System

This is a new security process HMRC are introducing so that, like some banks and building societies, they have a range of questions to ask which only you will ever know the answer to.

In this day and age of identity fraud many criminals find ways to get your National Insurance number, date of birth, address etc and can easily answer the usual security questions asked by HMRC.
I know that the CSA also have access to Experian and can ask similar questions about loans, credit cards in order to verify who they are talking to.

Personally I don't mind setting up personal questions and answers with these organisations to keep my records secure as long as it's things like my dad's first name, my first school, favorite pet etc but I really really object to giving permission to them to access my credit record to ask me specific questions about my credit card limit or the amount of the last loan I took out. :eek:

Zara33

What a FAB idea!

jonnyboy82

hi,i was given a new telephone number for tax credits and apparently if this works what they are trying every one will have to do it,it is a legitimate thing and im sure more posts will be added regarding this,i think asking about loans etc is to far but is safe,when i said 2500 people claiming i meant the 2500 people claiming single occupancy with my local council not tax credits,every one has been sent a letter thats all.

CIS

i just found this a bit coincidental as i live on my own and have today recieved a single person discount review letter just asking if anyone has moved in??? apparently all 2500 persons claiming this also have had this letter,i am disabled and have asd and suffer from paranoia and anxiety so all this just worries me,do the council and tax credits have access to each others systems?

For council tax purposes we don't have access to DWP/HMRC system (only CTB/HB staff do) but the council is under an obligation to review entitlement to discount on a regular basis and most do so by sending everyone claiming it a review form.

Many also use Experian and the likes for cross matching as well to target reviews to thos who may have further occupiers and still claim the discount.

a11waysindebt

I'm a bit lost here. What has experian got to do with the answer.

CIS

Many also use Experian and the likes for cross matching as well to target reviews to thos who may have further occupiers and still claim the discount

The OP was concerned why he got a discount review letter from his council so I was explaining it may be an entry held by experian that triggers the discount review rather then something held by tax credits.

jonnyboy82

cis is correct,i spoke to the council and they said every person who claims single person discount in there local authority has had a review form sent to them as just a review but sometimes they can check experian and they will associate a name with the person and they then send a letter to ask the person,even the man at the council said it sometimes does not work correctly,he also said a woman called before me and she had known someone a few years ago but was still on her credit experian file as a match so this sent a letter but the council got it wrong,he said it is nothing to worry about and is nothing to do with tax credits they have no info with them,my friend has also recieved one today so it put my mind at rest.regarding my tax credits post i was just being soooooooo paranoid. thanks cis for your post.....jonnyboy

CIS

thanks cis for your post.....jonnyboy

Its ok - the authority I work for carried out a review about 12 months ago and were still dealing with fallout from it now.

jonnyboy82

the way he was speaking it sounded like it was a bit hit and miss,very helpful though.regarding the tax credits new security checks and password im not sure it will work as once they have your password thats all they ask apart from nat ins number!!,i know because after my first call i rang the new number i was given and thats all i was asked my password and nat ins number i told him i was just checking it out ,he said if succesful every one will do this but they just testing it at the minute,all they need is an awkward customer who refuses to give them there monthly payment on there mortgage and then they cant set it up or speak to them,it seems experian think they know everything lol........jonnyboy