Question: Is the Pension Credit Department Collecting Data regarding missed prior years

JohnMike

Dear All,

Several weeks ago a received a phone call from someone claiming to be from the Pension Credit Department regarding my request to buy missed prior years.

They asked for my NI, DOB and Residency Status. 

Because I was pleased to receive a call regarding this issue I gave out that information.

I then became suspicious because after confirming that information he did not discuss prior years, he said the DWP was using the Pension Credit Department to collect data to allow them to process prior year requests.

I was very panicked by this. I did check the number called from and the number he gave out. Both are DWP numbers. But I understand that this can be faked.

I asked my MP to clarify if the DWP are collecting data in the this manner but I have not received so much as an acknowledgement let alone a reply.

Have other people experienced this. It was worrying me.

Are the DWP collecting information in this manner?

Regards 

molerat

Yes, they are making screening calls using non qualified staff to weed out those that no longer need to speak the ones that can sort your query.