Here's what you need to know
The Department for Work and Pensions may be monitoring your bank and social media accounts as part of a crackdown on benefits fraud.
According to the DWP, approximately £6.3 billion was lost in 2021 due to welfare fraud — a major increase from £2.8 billion the year before. Together with £2.1 billion of error, around £8.4 billion was lost overall. Failure to inform the DWP about a "change of circumstances" may also be categorised as 'fraud by omission'. You must inform the UK Government if you begin living with a partner or move home, or if a deceased relative has left you money.
Fraud investigators possess a large range of powers to help them gather evidence in numerous ways, such as surveillance, interviews, and document tracing. Under new proposals, these powers would be widened to include executing warrants, search and seizure of evidence and even making arrests. At the beginning of an investigation, you may not be informed that one is being carried out until the DWP has decided if there is good reason to formally investigate a potential case of fraud. Since a large number of tip-offs and reports end up being false, the DWP wants to ensure that they do not waste their time on a fruitless investigation.
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