Info he banks supply to the DWP

An_jibs

Does anyone know the details of what information banks routinely supply to the government about what is in our bank accounts? I am told that the banks (Nationwide have verbally confirmed this) ruitinly tell the govt if anyone has more than £6G in the bank. so much for data protection and confidentiality.

sarahg1969

As far as I know, the banks do not routinely do so, but the DWP can request the information, and the banks can provide if they think it is appropriate to do so. It is covered by the Data Protection Act. Two of the sections I can think of, specifically, are 29 (to assist in the prevention or detection of a crime) and 35 (for the purpose of actual or anticipated court proceedings).

Seems perfectly reasonable to me.

Emmzi

http://www.rightsnet.org.uk/forum-archive/index15e4.html

interest paid cross references from Inland revenue.

this is of course only an issue if you are fiddling your benefits in which case I would want them to investigate!

antrobus

An_jibs wrote: »

Does anyone know the details of what information banks routinely supply to the government about what is in our bank accounts? I am told that the banks (Nationwide have verbally confirmed this) ruitinly tell the govt if anyone has more than £6G in the bank. so much for data protection and confidentiality.

All banks and building societies send annual reports to HMRC of the interest credited and tax deducted for each individual account holder and that has been the case for yonks. Obviously, based on the amount of interest reported, the authorities can have a good guess as to how much money the recipient has stashed away. I'm not sure why that should be a problem, unless (of course) you happen to claiming means tested benefits and have failed to declare the true amount of your savings?

dseventy

The DWP routinely check banks.

http://www.dwp.gov.uk/docs/dwp-your-personal-information.pdf

states

The organisations we may give information to, or receive it from, include other government departments and their agencies, in particular Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs (HMRC); local authorities; banks, building societies and other financial bodies; BBC TV licensing; credit reference agencies; utility providers; educational and academic bodies; the Learning and Skills Council; research organisations; health service providers; law enforcement agencies including the Police and the Serious Organised Crime Agency; the Assets Recovery Agency; and overseas social security organisations.

I am glad they check it all!

D70

mum_2_ellis

I was watching saints and scroungers earlier and they checked into bank accounts but said this was only allowed as they suspected a crime was being commited (fraud) Before watching this I didnt think they where allowed to check at all !! obivously wrong ha ha

NotSuchASmugMarriedNow

I have it on very good authority that many bank workers routinely supply information to the DWP on an unofficial basis.

[Deleted User]

NotSuchASmugMarriedNow wrote: »

I have it on very good authority that many bank workers routinely supply information to the DWP on an unofficial basis.

yup the banks would do that and risk data protection issues
if someone is suspected of fraud then they will be investiagted

Dognobs

Everything is on computer now, It is easy to find out. Your credit check will show your bank balance. They have access to everything including full facebook access which they are finding very useful in the relationship status and others who get DLA and yep post holiday snaps of themselfs surfing.

People are already being done for this type of thing.

drwho2011

Its quite possible for a cashier for example to see a bank balance and notice credits through the welfare system into the same account whilst assisting a customer.

Wouldn't be too difficult for a referral to be raised anonymously through the hotline.

Admittedly though this is most likely to occur when the cashier knows them personally.

HappyMJ

Dognobs wrote: »

Everything is on computer now, It is easy to find out. Your credit check will show your bank balance. They have access to everything including full facebook access which they are finding very useful in the relationship status and others who get DLA and yep post holiday snaps of themselfs surfing.

People are already being done for this type of thing.

A credit check does not show positive bank account balances.