Letter from DWP is a CD (or DVD) is it a scam?

german_keeper

Either way I think DWP should be informed. If it is from them, based on what you have described, they should be made aware of the lack of professionalism involved. And if it is a scam I am sure they would want to know and investigate. 

Marcon

german_keeper said:

Either way I think DWP should be informed. If it is from them, based on what you have described, they should be made aware of the lack of professionalism involved. And if it is a scam I am sure they would want to know and investigate. 

Maybe someone just reused a DWP envelope which is why their return address is shown on the back? Or someone just added their own printed label with a DWP return address for some reason? There's absolutely no evidence of a 'lack of professionalism' or that DWP was in any way involved.

OP - if you think it's a CD, try playing it on a normal audio CD player and see if it plays. No danger of any sort of data transmission doing that rather than sticking it into a computer's DVD drive.

pterri

My opinion there no way the HMRC would be posting DVDs or CDs. It’s just nuts. 

Dazed_and_C0nfused

pterri said:

My opinion there no way the HMRC would be posting DVDs or CDs. It’s just nuts. 

Given what happened in 2007 I suspect you're right.

But this thread is about DWP.

german_keeper

Marcon said:

german_keeper said:

Either way I think DWP should be informed. If it is from them, based on what you have described, they should be made aware of the lack of professionalism involved. And if it is a scam I am sure they would want to know and investigate. 

Maybe someone just reused a DWP envelope which is why their return address is shown on the back? Or someone just added their own printed label with a DWP return address for some reason? There's absolutely no evidence of a 'lack of professionalism' or that DWP was in any way involved.

OP - if you think it's a CD, try playing it on a normal audio CD player and see if it plays. No danger of any sort of data transmission doing that rather than sticking it into a computer's DVD drive.

No evidence that DWP was involved? A DWP reply envelope perhaps? You have given 2 possible explanations, here's a third. The DWP reply envelope has come from DWP. I suspect it hasn't but I would make a call to check. 

justheretohelpmymum

dmhzx said:

I've just received in a padded envelope, which I've now mislaid. I'm fairly certain that it appeared to come from the DWP.
Inside it was a CD (or DVD) -- ONLY
I'm concerned that this is a scam because most modern computers don't have DVD readers, it costs more than paper. Why would DWP send me a letter that I may not be able to read?
Thoughts?

My mum has just had one too. Addressed to her and the disc has her name on.  I’m going to try call DWP now to find out if it is them, but in the meantime if anyone has half a clue on what it could be and save me from an afternoon of being stuck on hold, please let me know 🤣

scotsmantom

Just received one today in Wales. Not playing it on my pc disc drive until I see evidence it is genuine.

Suzycoll

Your post is very strange !

My thoughts 

1- has someone  sent you a cd as a prank & used a DWP envelope?

2. I worked for DWP & to my knowledge they do not send CDs to customers or to anyone! Years ago training material was recorded on cd to show/train staff but no longer 

2- If it is from DWP, maybe the cd has been sent to the wrong person? If so it's a data breach & needs to be reported 

Dazed_and_C0nfused

DWP do issue CD's, or they are issued on their behalf.

But you would probably have expected something else to accompany it?

https://www.capita.com/our-work/transforming-communications-management-department-work-and-pensions

LHW99

Not sure about DWP, but the Goverment Disability Service indicates that "other formats" for information can be requested:

Call to ask for alternative formats, such as braille, large print or audio CD.

https://www.gov.uk/disability-benefits-helpline

Possibly other departments also have this option, so if not actually requested by the OP (and others), has an IT error ticked a box on multiple records, indicating a whole group of people want to be communicated to like this?