DWP: phone call seeking info after applying for state pension

[pearporridge]

I received a standard letter inviting me to apply for my state pension, which I qualify for later this year. I have 46 years of contributions and everything is very straightforward so I went online using the info provided and filled in all sections, including my NINO, providing full bank account details for payment and giving my mobile number. Within a couple of days my application was acknowledged and I had an email saying that all was fine and the first payment would be made around 4 weeks after my 66th birthday. All v efficient.

Then last week while on holiday I had a phone call to tell me to call the DWP on a number not on their website because they needed to confirm my details. I was then asked to give all my details again — dob, full address, NINO and bank details, all of which I'd already provided online. Nothing has changed in the last month.

Am now wondering what that was all about. The number they asked me to call did appear to be a formal DWP site with a triage system. Why do they ask you to do this online and then ask you to do it again on the phone?

Scam-“a number not on their website”.

Call your bank immediately.

Scam. I have had a scam call this morning, dh had one yesterday. They have really ramped up recently.

Erm, why did you call a number not in their website?!

You should probably call the pension people on the official number too and tell them you have been scammed.

Never give out details when they call you

Call then back

They will understand if legit

Contact bank

And maybe contact pensions to ask if someone has called you

Phone your bank asap. Probably a scam.

Did you definitely use the DWP website and not a fake one? and why call back on a number not on the website?

Okay, I've double-checked: it is listed as a contact number for the DWP, but is part of the Pensions Dept specifically, not the main one. So not a scam.

But why ask for all the information twice? I have a very straightforward account. I've had the same name all my life and have lived at the same address for 20 years. I've held my bank account for more than 25 years and pay my tax to HMRC through it... What a ridiculous waste of time and resources to have to go through the process twice, after being assured that my online application had been accepted and processed.

Yes: I double-checked. I called back because they said they needed to 'confirm some details.'

Perhaps they just have a certain number of applications that they check, even if they looks straightforward. A bit like being pulled over by customs even if you go through the nothing to declare channel.

OP I'd still call my bank and tell them to watch for suspicious activity.

Well, today I've spoken to Mel at the DWP main enquiries line and she assures me that it's normal practice for the DWP to ask you to fill in the online form and then phone you and go through everything a second time to ensure that your details are correct. I suppose it saves their staff from actually inputting the bank account details etc and potentially making an error if they get you to do it for them and then just have to confirm...