DWP Un announced visit

Dizdy123

Hi

bit of background i am a lone parent and work part time i today got back from dropping my son off at school and within 15mins there was a knock at my door, the man showed me a department of work and pensions ID and said he was here to ask some questions about my income,my job etc and asked to see my latest bank statement. I answered them all and was not asked if i had a boyfriend (I do but he has his own property where he lives and stays at mine few nights a week plus comes and takes my son to school then drops me off at work as i start at 9am).

Later i spoke to a friend who advised they always notify you of any visits and dont just turn up out of the blue, at this point i was worried as i live in Chesterfield, Derbyshire and the man that came out came from Nottingham, so i called DWP who advised they do not do unannounced house calls and had nothing on the system stating that they have any problem with my working tax credits etc.

I am now very worried as to why this has happened and is there anyone else that has had this, The man also commented that it was to do with my housing benefit do they deal with this i thought that was council who delt with that not DWP.

He also said he was from Performance measurement department - any ideas what this means

Any advice would be grateful

Lisa

Dizdy123

tomjonesrules wrote: »

Have you rang your council also, to check if he was from there (although he would not be from Nottingham)?

If he was not, you should notify the police.

I was told by DWP to let them check there systems and get back to me in morning, I have cancelled my bank card incase this is a scam, I am really worried as i didnt know they just appeared on the door and he said he was from Performance measurement

Dizdy123

tomjonesrules wrote: »

They have been known to do unannounced visits, and the council certainly do, but you are doing the right thing in checking.

Its strange as my claim has not changed nor has my hours etc so is this just a spot check or do they think i have done something wrong

OwenGriff

this is a suprise visit from the fraud and compliance service. As you stated your boyfriend stays over a couple times a week you are committing benefit fraud. You may get a letter asking you to attend the jobcentre shortly where you will be interviewed again under caution.

Dizdy123

OwenGriff wrote: »

this is a suprise visit from the fraud and compliance service. As you stated your boyfriend stays over a couple times a week you are committing benefit fraud. You may get a letter asking you to attend the jobcentre shortly where you will be interviewed again under caution.

He stays over the three nights a week that is allowed so it is not fraud i checked with the council and i work this is also to do with housing according to what he left me i get £4.25 a week off rent due to my income

Caz3121

Dizdy123 wrote: »

He stays over the three nights a week that is allowed so it is not fraud i checked with the council

there is no "three nights a week" rule, it is a myth and if the council told you this I would get it from them in writing

andiroo1

This just highlights that if anyone calls at your home, you must ask to see ID, you are within your rights to close the door asking them to wait while you contact their company for them to clarify that this is an official reperesentative calling at your home.

Dizdy123

andiroo1 wrote: »

This just highlights that if anyone calls at your home, you must ask to see ID, you are within your rights to close the door asking them to wait while you contact their company for them to clarify that this is an official reperesentative calling at your home.

He had ID on him stating he was from DWP

WhiteHorse

Dizdy123 wrote: »

He had ID on him stating he was from DWP

That means very little.

If in doubt, discreetly lock the door behind him, make an excuse to slip away and then call the police.

WhiteHorse

OwenGriff wrote: »

As you stated your boyfriend stays over a couple times a week you are committing benefit fraud.

So what are the rules? Link to regulations please.

DorsetGirl_2

OwenGriff wrote: »

this is a suprise visit from the fraud and compliance service. As you stated your boyfriend stays over a couple times a week you are committing benefit fraud. You may get a letter asking you to attend the jobcentre shortly where you will be interviewed again under caution.

What a load of tosh!