DWP forcing me to repay a debt caused by identity fraud

Blancmang25

myDWPhell said:

Hi Blancmang25

Here’s my response:

Thanks for your input.

”Have you fully checked your credit history on Experian etc and have you raised your Identity Fraud with Action Fraud, I have put the link below for further information:”

Yes to both. I’ve subscribed to Experian and downloaded my full credit report, there was nothing of any concern in there. Although, I’m now thinking I should look through it again on a forensic level. I also submitted it as part of an evidence submission to the Tribunal. Along with it I submitted statements for all current accounts I had that were open and active on the alleged payment date. 

I reported my case to Police ActionFraud and have continued to update my report and submit new information as it comes to light. 

As regards my SARs I fully appreciate that the DWP have to abide by GDPR requirements. At the same time their continued insistence that I am responsible for the claims alongside their justifications for not providing me with the information requested via my SARs in more than frustrating. I’ve continued to reach out to the DWP throughout the process, I’d be  more than happy to work with them. That however is not how they operate. 

When it comes to the address that the fraudulent claimant used. “He”, I’ll call him he, submitted 3 claims within a 6 week period. The first 2 lapsed or closed because “he” failed to attend the initial verification applications. He did go on to attend the third ID verification appointment for the third and final claim. The strange thing is each of the 3 claims were submitted with entirely different addresses in entirety different parts of the country. Given that very suspicious history to the claim I just don’t understand how the DWP would pay an advance out on it. It had more red flags than a …. Red Flag shop! 🚩 

As regards the fraud investigation. I initially reported fraud in October 2024 on discovering the DEA. At that point they suspended recovery action and commenced their initial fraud investigation. I called a couple of times for an update but was told there was no update available. My only contact with the fraud team was a brief telephone interview with very standard questions. I eventually heard back from them in March 2025 where they informed me that they hadn’t changed their decision! I was genuinely in a state of shock. As I’ve explained in previous replies at that point I immediately applied for the Mandatory Reconsideration. As I’ve also mentioned previously the MR process was a total farce. I received no written explanation and no information or details whatsoever regarding the details of the allegations - none! All I was aware of was the dates of two of the claims. I later found out via a letter to my MP that “face-to-face” appointment had been attended, allegedly by me. They didn’t provide any information regarding the location or date of this “appointment”. Obviously, not knowing any details of the allegations made it impossible for me to submit any information or evidence during the MR process. But as it turns out they hadn’t even submitted my MR until three months after I’d requested it. The MR was eventually sent on June 27 (a Friday) and by July 3 they sent me their MRN informing me that once again they hadn’t changed their mind. I had no contact with the DWP at all during the few days that my MR was being processed. 

DWP - Not fit for purpose! 

Thanks for updating me on the points I raised.

With regards to the SAR's I think this will always be a sticking point because of the information contained about yourself, even though it would appear some one has used your details, hence it is a catch 22.

It's not unusual for a fraudster to try a couple of times, I am unable to go into the process but it makes sense to me when you say they tried 3 times from different areas.

With regards to the fraud investigation, I don't think from what you have said that there was an actual "fraud investigation".

I would think there was a compliance file raised(goes under the guise of a fraud file) and the amount in question is not a large amount(although it is to you). This is why you received a phone call with very standard questions and they never changed their decision. An actual fraud investigation is very different and they would not contact you directly.

Hopefully you can gain some clarification from the tribunal.

myDWPhell

huckster said:

How were these fraudulent claims made? 

If online then presumably, the Internet ID address details of the person making the claim would be recorded by DWP.

I have come across cases, where it was someone living at the address of the fraud victim or using their Wifi connection, that was behind the fraud and had access to all of the information including ID documents. And of course if DWP were looking at Internet ID addresses used, it would look like the alleged fraud victim had made benefit claim, took out advances etc.

I never really considered IP address or anything like that but it’s definitely something to look into. 

As for the application, when I first found out I visited my local job centre. I asked them for a copy of the application form. I wanted to know what personal information the fraudulent claimant would have needed to know about me to submit a claim. However, I was told that there’s no paper application form and everything is done online. 

On the day of the alleged application I was out of the country. The application was actually submitted on the day of my return flight. My wi-fi would have been turned off and I didn’t get back until later in the day. 

There were three different locations associated with the three fraudulent claims. The claim that professed furthest was associated with an address 60 miles from where I live. 

huckster

From some cases I have seen, it been a family member, friend, housemate that has submitted fraudulent claims. And they have gotten hold of the information, because of their close relationship to the person whose name has been used to claim.

You might wish to think whether this might have happened. 

myDWPhell

huckster said:

From some cases I have seen, it been a family member, friend, housemate that has submitted fraudulent claims. And they have gotten hold of the information, because of their close relationship to the person whose name has been used to claim.

You might wish to think whether this might have happened. 

Hi, 

Yes, I’m sure that happens in a great many cases. In my case I know that certainly wasn’t the case so that’s at least one thing I can rule out. 
Thank you 

myDWPhell

One of the most infuriating aspects of my particular case is, despite my repeated reporting of fraud to the DWP. The DWP/UC continue to insist on using both details of the fraudulent claim together with the security questions created by the fraudulent claimant as the basis of their telephone verification process! As I can’t answer these questions UC refuse to discuss the case/claim with meaning I’m effectively locked out of my own case! On one call where the UC agent asked me the “security questions”, I asked her 4 times if these were security questions created by the fraudulent claimant. Each time I asked she completely ignored the fact I’d asked. When I politely asked her the fourth and final time the UC agent terminated the call and hung up on me. Immediately after the call I submitted a formal UC complaint - on investigation my complaint was upheld. The other problem I have when calling DWP/UC. When they ask me the basic ID questions and I answer them truthfully and honestly they inform me that there is no claim or they can’t find a claim and subsequently I can’t speak with them about the fraudulent claims. The reason for this is because my genuine details, address, telephone number etc do not match those of the fraudulent claim. I’ve had UC agents telling me they’ve used up all their allowed attempts to access the claim. Or on one occasion the UC agent warned me that he only had one attempt left. All I could do was repeat my genuine details but of course he could not find a case. I’ve had UC agents apologising profusely that they can’t help, agents telling me theres nothing they can do for me. 

It is both negligent and remiss of the DWP not to have a single point of contact for people in my position. It was the DWP that created this mess but their attitude is that they will do nothing to help. Or in the words of r/DWPhelp on Reddit:

“This isn't my !!!!!! up, it is theirs, and I shouldn't have to spend my limited time sorting out their mess, so what am I feasibly expected to do?”

Or in the words of another victim and his story in The Sun:

“Fraudsters ‘stole my identity and claimed Universal Credit under my name’ – I’ve lost thousands and DWP don’t care”

He’s right, the DWP just don’t care. 

The DWP are responsible for the mess, the mess is theirs and theirs alone, the DWP should clear up their own mess and not dump it on the victims. 

“Stop hounding victims of universal credit fraud, DWP told” Guardian - 10/12/20

DWP - Not fit for purpose!

born_again

Don't focus & waste time on IP address.
Odds on they are using VPN
Your phone will have a different Ip to your home system, your home IP will change unless you have paid for a static one.
Think of a IP as like a postcode. Covers many people.

myDWPhell

born_again said:

Don't focus & waste time on IP address.
Odds on they are using VPN
Your phone will have a different Ip to your home system, your home IP will change unless you have paid for a static one.
Think of a IP as like a postcode. Covers many people.

Good point. To be honest, I’ve concentrated on submitting my evidence to the Tribunal. Having finally been made aware of the details of their allegations alongside with the DWP MRN I’m thankfully in a position where I’m able to challenge and refute many of their points. 

myDWPhell

It can only be the DWP when you submit a Subject Access Request (SAR) and you see this as progress!

In an earlier SAR, requesting “all information regarding UC claims made in MY NAME.” Previous responses from the DWP have read as follows:

“You sent us a 'Right of Access' request asking us to send you [a copy of all information regarding regarding Universal Credit claims made in your name during the period XX/XX/2X- XX/XX/2X..”

The personal information you requested contains information about another individual.

The Data Protection Act 2018 states that

the following must be taken into account when deciding to disclose this information:

• the type of information which would be disclosed
• a duty of confidentiality to the other individual

In these circumstances a decision has been made, in line with legislation not to disclose third party information.

But hang on a minute DWP, how can you claim that on the one hand, “I” submitted the claim and that “I” am responsible for the repayment of the advance (negligently paid out by the DWP) but on the other hand claim that you cannot provide me with the information because it contains information about ANOTHER individual!!!

Who is it? Me or another individual? I’ll give you a clue DWP, it’s not me!

“Stop hounding victims of universal credit fraud, DWP told” - The Guardian 10/12/20

They were given that advice back in 2020. Someone isn’t listening!

DWP - Not fit for Purpose!

Blancmang25

myDWPhell said:

It can only be the DWP when you submit a Subject Access Request (SAR) and you see this as progress!

In an earlier SAR, requesting “all information regarding UC claims made in MY NAME.” Previous responses from the DWP have read as follows:

“You sent us a 'Right of Access' request asking us to send you [a copy of all information regarding regarding Universal Credit claims made in your name during the period XX/XX/2X- XX/XX/2X..”

The personal information you requested contains information about another individual.

The Data Protection Act 2018 states that

the following must be taken into account when deciding to disclose this information:

• the type of information which would be disclosed
• a duty of confidentiality to the other individual

In these circumstances a decision has been made, in line with legislation not to disclose third party information.

But hang on a minute DWP, how can you claim that on the one hand, “I” submitted the claim and that “I” am responsible for the repayment of the advance (negligently paid out by the DWP) but on the other hand claim that you cannot provide me with the information because it contains information about ANOTHER individual!!!

Who is it? Me or another individual? I’ll give you a clue DWP, it’s not me!

“Stop hounding victims of universal credit fraud, DWP told” - The Guardian 10/12/20

They were given that advice back in 2020. Someone isn’t listening!

DWP - Not fit for Purpose!

I have tried to explain to you that you will not get the information from the DWP by requesting a SAR/S. They have provided you with the correct information, as displayed on this post.
I'm not in a position to state my previous occupation but I would have sent you the same as what you have received as it complies with GDPR.
As I have said previously you are in a catch 22, as you have your identity and some one else has your identity but registered at a different address.
Do you have any idea of the address/area of where they fraudster may be?
Have you had a date for the Tribunal?

myDWPhell

Blancmang25 said:

myDWPhell said:

It can only be the DWP when you submit a Subject Access Request (SAR) and you see this as progress!

In an earlier SAR, requesting “all information regarding UC claims made in MY NAME.” Previous responses from the DWP have read as follows:

“You sent us a 'Right of Access' request asking us to send you [a copy of all information regarding regarding Universal Credit claims made in your name during the period XX/XX/2X- XX/XX/2X..”

The personal information you requested contains information about another individual.

The Data Protection Act 2018 states that

the following must be taken into account when deciding to disclose this information:

• the type of information which would be disclosed
• a duty of confidentiality to the other individual

In these circumstances a decision has been made, in line with legislation not to disclose third party information.

But hang on a minute DWP, how can you claim that on the one hand, “I” submitted the claim and that “I” am responsible for the repayment of the advance (negligently paid out by the DWP) but on the other hand claim that you cannot provide me with the information because it contains information about ANOTHER individual!!!

Who is it? Me or another individual? I’ll give you a clue DWP, it’s not me!

“Stop hounding victims of universal credit fraud, DWP told” - The Guardian 10/12/20

They were given that advice back in 2020. Someone isn’t listening!

DWP - Not fit for Purpose!

I have tried to explain to you that you will not get the information from the DWP by requesting a SAR/S. They have provided you with the correct information, as displayed on this post.
I'm not in a position to state my previous occupation but I would have sent you the same as what you have received as it complies with GDPR.
As I have said previously you are in a catch 22, as you have your identity and some one else has your identity but registered at a different address.
Do you have any idea of the address/area of where they fraudster may be?
Have you had a date for the Tribunal?

Hi,

I have no idea whatsoever of the actual address of the fraudulent claimant. I can only presume that none of the three addresses he provided on any of the three claims would actually be his. Obviously, the DWP are aware of those addresses and should hopefully have investigated them. The fact that there were three claims in a six week period with there completely different addresses leads me the conclusion that they were just random addresses and not actually associated with the fraudulent claimant. 

As for the Tribunal date. The DWP were given until 29/08/25 to respond to my initial Tribunal application. Obviously, it’s well past that date now but I’ve been advised to wait until 19/09/25. At that point the Tribunal Legal Officer will issue them a direction to respond. As far as I’m aware my case doesn’t move to the Tribunal proper until the point at which the DWP respond to my initial application and only if they fail to change their decision. If they respond and fail to change their decision my case will enter the Tribunal process and at that point I would be issued with a date. I can only hope that when they issue their response that they change their decision. But when it comes to the DWP nothing would surprise me.