Investigators from the Department for Work and Pensions could be checking your bank or social media accounts as part of a crackdown on benefit fraud.
New figures suggested that billions of pounds could be wrongly claimed by 2027. Between 2021 and 2022, there were 600 convictions for benefit fraud across the UK and the “Fighting Fraud in the Welfare System” plan – published last year – outlines how the DWP had begun looking into more than two million Universal Credit claims.
A 2,000-strong team is said to be checking claims deemed at risk of being incorrect, including suspicious cases which entered the system during the height of the pandemic. At the time of issuing the new plan, DWP said the review would be expected to stop around £2 billion of losses due to fraud and error over the next five years, reports the Liverpool Echo.
The DWP’s definition of benefit fraud is when “someone obtains state benefit they are not entitled to or deliberately fails to report a change in their personal circumstances.” The most common form of benefit fraud is when a person receives unemployment benefits while working. Another is when claimants state they live alone, but are financially supported by a partner or spouse.
Failing to inform the state about a “change of circumstances”, for example, that your partner is now living with you, or that you have moved house, or that a relative has died leaving you some money may also be seen as “fraud by omission”. Being accused of fraud by the DWP can be stressful enough, but the thought of being investigated by officials without really knowing why can lead to excessive worry.
Many investigators wear plain clothes and can show up at your home or work at any time, which could be frightening. But having some knowledge about DWP investigations can make all the difference, enabling you to live your life as normally as possible while an investigation is under way.
Usually, benefits-related fraud occurs where someone has claimed benefits to which they were not entitled to on purpose, such as by not reporting a change in circumstances or by providing false information. One common form of benefit fraud is falsely reporting income, or failing to report it altogether.
If you are claiming unemployment benefits but are seen to attend a workplace, the DWP may talk to the owner or manager of that business to find out exactly why you are there, what work you are doing and how much you are being paid. Those investigating a claim may check financial data, including bank statements.
Investigators may also check your social media accounts and search your online profiles for pictures, location check-ins, and other evidence which may or may not be useful to them. Those who use social media a lot will leave a trail of their life and habits, often allowing investigators to piece together a picture of what that person’s life actually looks like. If this is not consistent with the details of that person’s claim for benefits, that evidence may end up being used against them.
