DWP forcing me to repay a debt caused by identity fraud

myDWPhell

Blancmang25 said:

huckster said:

In most cases, those making the fraudulent claims will have had enough identity information to have made the benefit claim and take out advance benefit payments available.

The OP could request a one to one meeting with DWP fraud officer at nearest DWP office, where the OP could share all of their information  to clarify that they did not make the claims or receive benefit money. And answer any questions that would assist DWP.

Requesting a one to one with a DWP fraud officer will not happen. 
From the op previous posts it sounds as though he may spoken to  a compliance officer(maybe), as it states he received a phone call.
The compliance team are very different to a fraud team.
I have already advised the op regarding this and have  advised op to make a fraud referral about this matter. (He basically has to refer himself using his correct details and then details of the alledged fraud, either online or by phone, phone probably easier).

Blancmang 
I didn’t take from your previous post that I would have to refer myself using my own details. I would feel very uncomfortable about this. That said, I will definitely call them to discuss making a report and my unease about reporting “myself”. 

Blancmang25

myDWPhell said:

Blancmang25 said:

huckster said:

In most cases, those making the fraudulent claims will have had enough identity information to have made the benefit claim and take out advance benefit payments available.

The OP could request a one to one meeting with DWP fraud officer at nearest DWP office, where the OP could share all of their information  to clarify that they did not make the claims or receive benefit money. And answer any questions that would assist DWP.

Requesting a one to one with a DWP fraud officer will not happen. 
From the op previous posts it sounds as though he may spoken to  a compliance officer(maybe), as it states he received a phone call.
The compliance team are very different to a fraud team.
I have already advised the op regarding this and have  advised op to make a fraud referral about this matter. (He basically has to refer himself using his correct details and then details of the alledged fraud, either online or by phone, phone probably easier).

Blancmang 
I didn’t take from your previous post that I would have to refer myself using my own details. I would feel very uncomfortable about this. That said, I will definitely call them to discuss making a report and my unease about reporting “myself”. 

Yes you do.
It may be easier for you if you call the 0800 fraud line.

So, you need to give your details, please do not worry about this as they need this information.
They will ask you if you want the referral to be anonymous but I would advise to say no. This is because if a fraud file is raised they can contact you regarding the alledged fraud( if need be).
You need to keep the details very precise, do mention the SAR's and all the emails etc, they only want the details of the alledged fraud:

Ie: you give your details

Then you will be asked about the fraud you believe has been committed.

Tell them that you know your ID has been hijacked and some one is claiming to be you AND making UC claims in order to gain money.
You know this as you have been asked to repay an overpayment of UC based on an advance that was made using your fraudulent details. You have never received this money.

They might ask you further details, (confirmation of your addresses etc).
Please trust them, I am very experienced in this field and answer their questions.

As I said they may raise a fraud file, but once you have submitted a fraud referral you do not need to contact them. 

They will not give you any information.

born_again

Blancmang25 said:

myDWPhell said:

Blancmang25 said:

huckster said:

In most cases, those making the fraudulent claims will have had enough identity information to have made the benefit claim and take out advance benefit payments available.

The OP could request a one to one meeting with DWP fraud officer at nearest DWP office, where the OP could share all of their information  to clarify that they did not make the claims or receive benefit money. And answer any questions that would assist DWP.

Requesting a one to one with a DWP fraud officer will not happen. 
From the op previous posts it sounds as though he may spoken to  a compliance officer(maybe), as it states he received a phone call.
The compliance team are very different to a fraud team.
I have already advised the op regarding this and have  advised op to make a fraud referral about this matter. (He basically has to refer himself using his correct details and then details of the alledged fraud, either online or by phone, phone probably easier).

Blancmang 
I didn’t take from your previous post that I would have to refer myself using my own details. I would feel very uncomfortable about this. That said, I will definitely call them to discuss making a report and my unease about reporting “myself”. 

Yes you do.
It may be easier for you if you call the 0800 fraud line.

So, you need to give your details, please do not worry about this as they need this information.
They will ask you if you want the referral to be anonymous but I would advise to say no. This is because if a fraud file is raised they can contact you regarding the alledged fraud( if need be).
You need to keep the details very precise, do mention the SAR's and all the emails etc, they only want the details of the alledged fraud:

Ie: you give your details

Then you will be asked about the fraud you believe has been committed.

Tell them that you know your ID has been hijacked and some one is claiming to be you AND making UC claims in order to gain money.
You know this as you have been asked to repay an overpayment of UC based on an advance that was made using your fraudulent details. You have never received this money.

They might ask you further details, (confirmation of your addresses etc).
Please trust them, I am very experienced in this field and answer their questions.

As I said they may raise a fraud file, but once you have submitted a fraud referral you do not need to contact them. 

They will not give you any information.

As this has already got to a tribunal stage.
Is there any point. As they are aware it is a fraud case. Just going through the process, as daft as it seems.

Blancmang25

born_again said:

Blancmang25 said:

myDWPhell said:

Blancmang25 said:

huckster said:

In most cases, those making the fraudulent claims will have had enough identity information to have made the benefit claim and take out advance benefit payments available.

The OP could request a one to one meeting with DWP fraud officer at nearest DWP office, where the OP could share all of their information  to clarify that they did not make the claims or receive benefit money. And answer any questions that would assist DWP.

Requesting a one to one with a DWP fraud officer will not happen. 
From the op previous posts it sounds as though he may spoken to  a compliance officer(maybe), as it states he received a phone call.
The compliance team are very different to a fraud team.
I have already advised the op regarding this and have  advised op to make a fraud referral about this matter. (He basically has to refer himself using his correct details and then details of the alledged fraud, either online or by phone, phone probably easier).

Blancmang 
I didn’t take from your previous post that I would have to refer myself using my own details. I would feel very uncomfortable about this. That said, I will definitely call them to discuss making a report and my unease about reporting “myself”. 

Yes you do.
It may be easier for you if you call the 0800 fraud line.

So, you need to give your details, please do not worry about this as they need this information.
They will ask you if you want the referral to be anonymous but I would advise to say no. This is because if a fraud file is raised they can contact you regarding the alledged fraud( if need be).
You need to keep the details very precise, do mention the SAR's and all the emails etc, they only want the details of the alledged fraud:

Ie: you give your details

Then you will be asked about the fraud you believe has been committed.

Tell them that you know your ID has been hijacked and some one is claiming to be you AND making UC claims in order to gain money.
You know this as you have been asked to repay an overpayment of UC based on an advance that was made using your fraudulent details. You have never received this money.

They might ask you further details, (confirmation of your addresses etc).
Please trust them, I am very experienced in this field and answer their questions.

As I said they may raise a fraud file, but once you have submitted a fraud referral you do not need to contact them. 

They will not give you any information.

As this has already got to a tribunal stage.
Is there any point. As they are aware it is a fraud case. Just going through the process, as daft as it seems.

DWP are aware of the problem, but the DWP fraud department are not.

There is a point because the alledged fraudster has already gained a UC account and received a payment. 

I can't for my personal reasons go into the how and where, but as I have said I have alot of experience in this and other areas of DWP/LA fraud.

NedS

https://www.theguardian.com/money/2025/sep/22/turned-my-life-into-hell-teacher-fights-to-clear-his-name-after-identity

Taylor2000

Also associated rightsnet post https://www.rightsnet.org.uk/forums/viewthread/21434

myDWPhell

Taylor2000 said:

Also associated rightsnet post https://www.rightsnet.org.uk/forums/viewthread/21434

Here’s another recent case:

https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/34829997/fraudsters-stole-identity-universal-credit/

myDWPhell

Taylor2000 said:

Also associated rightsnet post https://www.rightsnet.org.uk/forums/viewthread/21434

“The imbalance of power- 100% to DWP, 0% to the member of the public. there is nothing the victim can do.” - Taylor2000

You’re absolutely right, absolutely! There is nothing I can do. It’s like some sort of Matrix style mind game, like a maze with no way out. I tried everything. 

myDWPhell

Blancmang25 said:

myDWPhell said:

Blancmang25 said:

huckster said:

In most cases, those making the fraudulent claims will have had enough identity information to have made the benefit claim and take out advance benefit payments available.

The OP could request a one to one meeting with DWP fraud officer at nearest DWP office, where the OP could share all of their information  to clarify that they did not make the claims or receive benefit money. And answer any questions that would assist DWP.

Requesting a one to one with a DWP fraud officer will not happen. 
From the op previous posts it sounds as though he may spoken to  a compliance officer(maybe), as it states he received a phone call.
The compliance team are very different to a fraud team.
I have already advised the op regarding this and have  advised op to make a fraud referral about this matter. (He basically has to refer himself using his correct details and then details of the alledged fraud, either online or by phone, phone probably easier).

Blancmang 
I didn’t take from your previous post that I would have to refer myself using my own details. I would feel very uncomfortable about this. That said, I will definitely call them to discuss making a report and my unease about reporting “myself”. 

Yes you do.
It may be easier for you if you call the 0800 fraud line.

So, you need to give your details, please do not worry about this as they need this information.
They will ask you if you want the referral to be anonymous but I would advise to say no. This is because if a fraud file is raised they can contact you regarding the alledged fraud( if need be).
You need to keep the details very precise, do mention the SAR's and all the emails etc, they only want the details of the alledged fraud:

Ie: you give your details

Then you will be asked about the fraud you believe has been committed.

Tell them that you know your ID has been hijacked and some one is claiming to be you AND making UC claims in order to gain money.
You know this as you have been asked to repay an overpayment of UC based on an advance that was made using your fraudulent details. You have never received this money.

They might ask you further details, (confirmation of your addresses etc).
Please trust them, I am very experienced in this field and answer their questions.

As I said they may raise a fraud file, but once you have submitted a fraud referral you do not need to contact them. 

They will not give you any information.

Thanks for your post. I’ll definitely give them a call. I’d planned to do it today but I didn’t have the time. I’d happily share my details with them. 

myDWPhell

It’s not just me - this has happened to hundreds of people, maybe more! 

https://www.reddit.com/r/UKPersonalFinance/comments/pmp19w/help_fraudulent_universal_credit_claim_in_my_name/

“I’m in full time employment and have been for 3+ years and I never requested the payment nor did I receive anything in either of my 2 bank accounts.”

“I'm actually really annoyed with DWP as surely they have details of my NI contributions and tax payments over the last several years so they should have seen I'm not eligible and never should have granted the payment?“

EXACTLY! I am also in employment and have zero entitlement to UC, surely a cursory glance at my NI tax records would show this. 

“It also looks like a lot of bureaucracy to try to clear your name… cases only got resolved after contacting the BBC or Guardian.”

Spot on once again! It’s absolutely appalling, innocent victims FORCED to take on the full-time job of clearing their names and also FOCED to pay for a debt which has nothing to do with them - it’s criminal. On top of this you have to try to deal with a DWP who refuse to cooperate or deal with you. 

“Surely this is complete negligence on their part?”

Undoubtedly! I’d go further, negligence, incompetence, maladministration and potentially malpractice. 

Most shockingly of all, this is continuing to happen. The DWP are continuing to treat innocent victims as though they are criminals, forcing them to pay a debt that is not theirs and refusing to help. 

DWP - Not fit for purpose!