Bank taking your Benefit? Quote this -

lil_me

I know of several people who have got banks to refund chargesd as they were taken from benefit. Always handy to know.

peter999

ben-e-fitt wrote:

I fully understand your comments peter999.
On a day to day basis they are not likely to look at individual accounts. However, they have access to everyones account and if you owe them something they are going to look at ways of recouping that money. The DWP has access to loads of information about it's customers, and the banks i think would have access to a lot regarding each of their customers. They have to monitor and report transactions if needed, to prevent fraud,money laundering an such. I may be wrong but i would consider it likely that they could run a "trawl" at any time to establish where credits appear from.
I accept they may not scour each customers account daily, but they would certainly look at an account if it was in default. If they didn't how could they operate? Perhaps an experienced Banker could tell us how it works.

A bank cannot make a decision on this information,
as you haven't told them this, so they don't know it's correct

-it's just transaction system information, not information you have told them.

They have no way of knowing when this benefit payment is for or whether
it is still current.

Analysing people's transactions individually & in a group "trawl" is also against Data Protection Act.

peter999

Kinnairdy

:T Ben-e-fit,
Have posted the URL's for the Blue Volumes below, (sorry if links don't work but I have'nt perfected that process yet )
Hope they will be of some help to anyone who needs to know more than their local DWP employees can tell them.

http://www.dwp.gov.uk/advisers/docs/lawvols/bluevol/bvintro.asp

http://www.dwp.gov.uk/advisers/docs/lawvols/bluevol/

ben-e-fitt

Thanks for the links Kinnairdy, many may find them useful.
It seems not everyone likes this thread, but hey, everyones entitled to their own thoughts.
Responses from people who have had a positive result using this Social Security Act are more worthwhile than any number of people who doubt its validity. I would not post it if i didn't think it might help someone.
Can't understand what the banks would have against anyone on benefit anyway, rich or poor, you cut your cloth accordingly, if you don't, you can't blame the banks or the government for your own mistakes. People do get into financial difficulties, but you can't run up debts and not be accountable for them.
This is simply a peice of legislation to help out some of the less fortunate, it is there to be used. If the banks aren't aware, then they should be held accountable.

Turning_into_scrooge

peter999 wrote:

That's great, but do banks & benefit staff know & are they interested ??
Will it stop banks taking this inalienable money, I don't think so.

If you kick up a fuss with banks, they are likely to close your account,
like people who have recovered high bank charges.
The reality is, the benefits agency & banks are not interested.

Direct payment was introduced to save money & combat fraud,
but other consequences/problems caused to claimants are ignored.

Is it the banks problem -NO.
Do you want banks knowing/checking/considering you are on benefit -NO.

peter999

The OFT has warned the banks not to close accounts because bank charges have been recovered or for any other reason similar. Banks are no longer closing accounts

mmmbop

delete please

peter999

mmmbop wrote:

When I went overdrawn in my bank I just rang the DLA/IS and told them, and I've been getting them as giro's ever since. Alot easier really so I've not bothered to open another account yet, will wait until they ask.

As long as giros don't go missing.

Paying into bank account is useful if you go want to go away for few days
immediately after signing on.

You can withdraw money elsewhere & don't have to wait 3 days to cash giro
before going away.

peter999

lucylu26

I would like to say a big thanks to Peter999 for this fab post I was charged 28.00 unauthorised overdraft fee and was left with 2.00 when my 30.00 benefits got paid in.I called the bank today and said your not allowed to take my money social security act 1992,the advisor said yes that is correct if you go down to the branch today there is a note on allowing you to take out your 30.00.Luckily Im back to work next week after maternity leave.

Thanks Again Lucy

earwig

was it nat west by any chance

peter999

lucylu26 wrote:

I would like to say a big thanks to Peter999 for this fab post

That's ok, but ben-e-fitt is the man you want !!
.