tax credits new security pilot scheme???

System

mumof2lovelychildren wrote: »

I renewed my tax credits back in July but was only asked to confirm the usual details such as name, dob, ni number and salary details....is this just very recent that they have been asking questions about your credit file??

Yes it is being rolled out currently on a larger scale and we are seeing increasing numbers of Tax credit claimants being given appointments at our enquiry centre to set up their passwords.

doelani

I recieved a call today from HMRC in relation to my sons claim for WTC, I am his appointee as he has learnign difficulties. I said I was unwilling to answer any questions but asked for a number I could contact them to confirm call was genuine. It was normal tax credits number, no problem so I called them.

So after doing normal security, sons name and details, my details etc they said they had " new security questions in relation to information on Experian file"..........I had never heard about this before, after confirming it was not my file they would be searching I continues and they asked some information about son . They then asked me to set up 2 security questions, ok so far. I was told I would be asked for one of these passwords each time I rang lol

Now as it happens son reduced his hours this week and I was to ring them on monday anyway so after confirming it was them that had called me , the first advisor had put a not on file to say I was unwilling to anwser questions and would ring back, I did not have the information needed about his new reduced earning for year so had to ring back again.

When I called again with the details they never asked for any " security password" :rotfl: Seemed a bit pointless to be honest setting it up in first place.

GobbledyGook

Doesn't anyone accessing your credit file leave a footprint on it though? Given that they tell you when you do your own credit check on yourself that it'll leave a record of someone looking into it and that could affect your score surely this will too?

I'm just in the process of claiming tax credits and not sure I like the sound of this, surely there are many other ways they could check who your are (d.o.b, child's d.o.b, last payment date etc). They could also just ask for a password on the form or allocate one on what they send you either.

doelani

GobbledyGook wrote: »

Doesn't anyone accessing your credit file leave a footprint on it though? Given that they tell you when you do your own credit check on yourself that it'll leave a record of someone looking into it and that could affect your score surely this will too?

I'm just in the process of claiming tax credits and not sure I like the sound of this, surely there are many other ways they could check who your are (d.o.b, child's d.o.b, last payment date etc). They could also just ask for a password on the form or allocate one on what they send you either.

There are types of searches on yoru credit file that do not effect your credit score, I HOPE this was the type.

Your correct so much info seems rediculous that they have to ask for this type of information. The thing I do not understand is after all the " need to set a password for your protection in future calls" they never even asked for it

wobin

The advisors you speak with at Tax Credits do not see your credit file. When you give an answer they will type it into the answer box or check the correct answer out of a list, this is then electronically checked with experian and if correct the system passes you onto the next question - the advisors do not have access to your file - the systems are linked. Once you pass the security questions you then set up your passwords for next time. As this is a new security process it isbeing rolled out to a contact centre at a time. If you are unable to take a note of the new telephone number then call the normal number and your file can still be accessed and your query dealt with.
I hope this helps.
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kerry13238

hi does anyone know if they are still using this system seems a bit complicated blonde sorry lol

skylight

Yep - just spoke to them this afternoon.

However, I told them that I had a password in place due to 2 x fraud on my account this year, she proceeded instead to ask me the "experian" security and all she asked for was my full name, address, DOB and any child's DOB!!! All the info that a fraudster would have had...

Then she asked for 2 new passwords, the street I grew up on (difficult, we moved an awful lot!) and my first job (what, real main job or saturday job?). Then asked me my tax credits password (set up after the fraud) to talk to me about the tax credits and not before the extra security!

Still, I guess all new procedures need ironing out - just glad that I have added the extra security now as every level helps to avoid the double nightmares I had last year.

kerry13238

skylight wrote: »

Yep - just spoke to them this afternoon.

However, I told them that I had a password in place due to 2 x fraud on my account this year, she proceeded instead to ask me the "experian" security and all she asked for was my full name, address, DOB and any child's DOB!!! All the info that a fraudster would have had...

Then she asked for 2 new passwords, the street I grew up on (difficult, we moved an awful lot!) and my first job (what, real main job or saturday job?). Then asked me my tax credits password (set up after the fraud) to talk to me about the tax credits and not before the extra security!

Still, I guess all new procedures need ironing out - just glad that I have added the extra security now as every level helps to avoid the double nightmares I had last year.

that must have been awful. well im bound to fail my mortgage is with abbey but would i ment to say sandander now. what sort of questions do they ask

kaylzbob

The questions are quite strange, it can be anything from your mother's maiden name right up to 'what is the term on one of your loans'. The advisers don't get a choice what questions to ask, they just pop up on the screen and then pick your answer from a list. This DEFO does not affect your credit rating or even show up as a search on your file. The whole point is to cut down on fraud, would people not much rather they made their claim more secure than being awkward?!? I personally would rather make my claim more secure rather than have someone else access it and change my details!! If people don't want to answer the questions they will be made an appointment at an enquiry centre to confirm in person. If there are any issues with travel/disabilities etc then the enquiry centre advisers can work around this, if it means coming to your house to do it then they will (if there is a legitimate reason, not just cos someone doesn't want to go down)

Tintin0217

HMRC dont have access to the full credit file, the answer you provide is chosen from a drop down menu - if the answer is correct Experian will advise if the security has been passed, if not it will generate another question and continue until the required number of security questions have been asked. At no point can HMRC see any details of your credit file.