Do they DWP have access to my accounts?

robpw2

Red_Shoes_No_Knickers wrote: »

Have you made that up lovey? If not, can you be more specific on the law that you mean?

im guessing as everyone in the country i not entitled to housing benefit they made it up on the spot lol

redz

NickyBat wrote: »

Hammy is correct.

Not quite.

The DWP have a data matching dept. called the General Matching Service, they obtain details of all accounts held by customers and match them to the details declared on the claim. They match details such as name, address contact number etc.However, because of Data protection laws they cannot obtain details of the amount held in each account without a court order. If there is a discrepancy with the number of accounts held, as in this case, you will be called to interview as the OP has.

If the total amount of savings held is below the disregard level then it is not fraud as there is no change in entitlement and will not be treated as such. However, if the savings are over the disregarded amount then there is a distinct possibility of the case being treated as fraudulent.

Oldernotwiser

kentguy07 wrote: »

What they dont tell you it does not matter if you have savings or not they are still legally bound to give people housing benefits regardless under the law "think its either European law or the universal declaration of human rights act 1948.

I'll have some of what you're on!

kentguy07

Oldernotwiser wrote: »

I'll have some of what you're on!

I apologise

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Right_to_housing

Molly41

Yes they do have access to all your accounts via credit agencies.

redz

kentguy07 wrote: »

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Right_to_housing

That's right to housing not right to housing benefit. Someone who has sufficient capital to pay their own rent isn't having their right to housing impinged by not being able to recieve housing benefit.

Nyfle

Molly41 wrote: »

Yes they do have access to all your accounts via credit agencies.

Credit score or account balance/transaction history? I wasn't aware credit agencies had the latter available to them...

ceecee1

kentguy07 wrote: »

Yeah its called your mum

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Right_to_housing

Hmm - the right to Housing.....not the right to Housing Benefit.


An earlier poster was almost correct - Yes the DWP and HMRC data match bank accounts with benefit claims.

The DWP then have a right to demand from the bank (without a court order) under the Social Security Act copies of all bank statements and details of any payments made into those accounts

poppasmurf_bewdley

I believe the DWP don't have access to your bank accounts but they do have access to the amount of interest that is paid out to you in all your accounts, just like HMRC.

So if they've called you in for interview under caution, they've found out you've been paid interest that could indicate you have more than the statutory amount in those accounts.

So tell us - how much do you have in the undeclared accounts?

sandraroffey

oh dear oh dear oh dear. think they dont want to say!!!!!

doesnt all this cloak and dagger stuff ALWAYS come back and bite you on the bum?????