Fraudulent Universal Credit claim in my name.

[LycraLovingLass]

I rang tax credits this morning as my usual payment didn't go through. They said my claim has been cancelled because I have made a claim for universal credits.

I absolutely haven't made any claim so I have had to report it to the police and get a crime ref, I have spoken to DWP who have confirmed that a claim has been made with my National insurance number and my maiden name (which I haven't used in 10 years) but they can't tell me much else because I can't pass security because I haven't set the account up!

I am waiting for a call back from "MY" case manager, then I have to report to Action Fraud.

Does anyone know how long these investigations will take and whether my tax credits are likely to be reinstated? We will struggle without them!

Has anyone get

Do you have a partner?

If they made a claim for UC your TC claim would be automatically cancelled..

I wouldn't have thought a partner would make a UC claim using OPs National Insurance number and maiden name though...

Maybe not, but it happens a lot that both partners are listed on the TC claim. One claims UC (possibly after they've split). Then the TC claim is closed permanently for both. TC initially say its because the person ringing has claimed UC as that's how it looks on their system, but later realise it's the partner who has claimed.

Ah, I see what you mean andwealsingalong. Sorry!

It's ok, it is confusing and an awful way to do it as the person whose bank account the TC literally gets no notification or anything. The money just stops, permanently and they also have to claim UC.

Normally any UC claim made instantly invalidates a tax credit claim. But you may have a very ,very slight chance of this being overturned. Ive not come across it before but if the fraud team can see that the claim was not made by you and the bank details are not yours (or your partners) you might have a chance.
Usually though these claims are made by someone who wants to benefit from your loss. This is often by asking for your details as you are 'owed' money by TC or some other official body.But crucially your own bank details are used and you have to pay the fraudster a good percentage of any advances paid. There have been something like 1.5 billion pounds fraudulently claimed in recent months. Its a huge problem.

I have no partner and nothing has gone through my account. First I heard of it was when my tax credits stopped.

Tax credits have said they absolutely won't reinstate so I have had to make a genuine claim for universal credit. Obviously I have discussed with them that my NI number is already linked to a claim, gave them the crimw number. Because they didn't use my actual name or DOB or address I was apply to make a claim.

They are still processing it but have all the notes about the fraudulent claim so hopefully it should be accepted.

No payment now until July though and I cant apply for an advance which I assume is because of the other claim.

So many typos. Sorry typing on my phone in the sun.

Hope it all gets sorted out for you. Would strongly recommend that you run your income figures though a benefit checker site prior and double check your UC figures when it comes through. Not unusual for them to miss an element or two...

Take a look at this...

www.google.co.uk/amp/s/amp.theguardian.com/society/2020/may/12/universal-credit-claimants-unlawfully-short-changed-court-rules

revenuebenefits.org.uk/blog/universal-credit-fraudulent-claims-and-advances

I would get some advice before taking any further action. And also contact CPAG or Leigh Day solicitors who may be interested in hearing about your case/taking it forward. Especially if you've been financially disadvantaged. I am not sure if they take referrals directly but you could approach you local citizens advice for hello and ask them to refer you.

It's worth keeping an eye on this case
www.theguardian.com/society/2020/may/12/universal-credit-claimants-unlawfully-short-changed-court-rules
In case you are worse off on uc

Surely if there were already tax credits being paid out on your NI number the DWP should have checked with you first before processing a claim for UC, especially if the name on the UC claim is different. It is therefore their error and you should not be worse off as a result.

Apparently this has been happening a lot. I work for a housing association and we are aware of several cases of fraudulent claims in our tenants names . I’m not sure how it’s being handled

That's very worrying, do you think it's someone you know or did they say your information had been hacked?

They didnt say how it happened just that it is rife at the moment because the application process has been relaxed.

I would assume because my maiden name hasn't been used in 10 years that it is some kind if database leaked on the dark Web and bought by professional scammers. I have no reason to assume this but the alternative of it being someone I know doesn't bear thinking about.

I will look through those links tomorrow thank you!

It could possibly be an unlucky error...and someone who just happens to have the same surname as your maiden name has applied for UC and has accidentally entered the wrong national insurance number.
If they haven't used any of your other details it doesn't seem to be the normal fraudulent claim scam

Just an update incase it happens to anyone else and they come across this thread.

UC rang me this morning to verify all the details of my legitimate claim so that is all approved now.

They are happy that the fraudulent claim wasn't paid into my account so it was genuine fraud not involving me. They will contact tax credits to let them know that I wasn't involved and there is a chance that my tax credits will be reinstated in which case my claim for universal credit will cancelled.

This could take a few weeks. In the meantime I have been able to have an advance on my 1st payment. This will be deducted from my claim over the first year if I stay on UC or deducted from Tax credits if I transfer back.

The guy at UC was so helpful and they have dealt with it all really quickly.

They are fairly sure its not someone I know but professional scammers working from old data that they have got hold of from somewhere. They didnt have my address, phone number or bank details or details of my children. Which makes sense as my maiden name is 10 years old and wouldn't be linked to my children.

So basically someone somewhere is taking advantage of the fact face to face verifications have been suspended. If it wasn't for my tax credits claim ending no one would have been any the wiser so if they use details of people who don't claim anything they are getting away with the scam!

I was just thinking that! All they'd need is your name address and NI number! And so so many people carry all that information right in the front of their wallets. I'm always serving old people in the shop who flop their wallet open and I can see their bus pass number with their date of birth, their name and address, often NI card is there too, usually their PIN number is written on the underside of the flap!

One furtive photograph and you've basically got a whole person's identity...

They didnt even have my address. It's scary how easy it is. The bank account it was paid into wasnt even in my name.

We have found out today that the same thing has happened to us, a fake UC claim. We are currently waiting for a call back, our TC have also been stopped. Couldn't have happened at a worser time tbh! :(