These scams mainly involve someone impersonating a DWP employee to help you obtain the highest level of benefit. Whilst having someone fill in the forms for you, making sure you max out the benefit sounds great they are simply using the benefit angle to get your personal and bank details, after all, how can they arrange your windfall if they don’t know where to send it?.
They advertise on the internet and via social media, often blatantly copying government logos to look convincing, they then use the information to take out credit in your name and all manner of other illegal activity. Some even have the cheek to claim an advance payment on your behalf then pocket the money, leaving you with an instant UC debt to repay.
Lestons advice is simple – don’t trust any source online, there is a vast amount of information at official government websites, local Jobcentre staff are often helpful, from experience the experts in checking your claim are Citizens Advice.
Non-Personal scams
Some scammers have exploited the 5-week delay in initial payments and advance payments and have created claims for people who have died or children that do not exist.
If you think you might have been a victim of a UC scam
Lestons recommend you report and suspected actions to the DWP and Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040, their advisors are online 24-7 to give help and advice as required.
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