Would you accept having your bank account checked? — Scope | Disability forum
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Would you accept having your bank account checked?

Wibbles
Wibbles Community member Posts: 1,467 Pioneering
https://mol.im/a/12715213
The government has had a idea to save money 

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Comments

  • vikingqueen
    vikingqueen Scope Member Posts: 1,336 Disability Gamechanger
     If you have nothing to hide there is nothing to worry about. 
  • judie
    judie Community member Posts: 23 Courageous
    I've just heard about the proposal from the government to check the bank account,  monthly, of everyone on UC. What about disability rights not to be discriminated against? Unless they intend to check the bank accounts of every person in the country including MPs; that would not discriminate against any group but I can't see most voters agreeing to have their privacy invaded in this way. Why should we?
  • poppy123456
    poppy123456 Community member Posts: 49,810 Disability Gamechanger
    The link says “could” have their bank accounts checked. They can check mine and my daughters if they want to, we have nothing to hide. 
    I would appreciate it if members wouldn't tag me please. I have all notifcations turned off and wouldn't want a member thinking i'm being rude by not replying.
    If i see a question that i know the answer to i will try my best to help.
  • vikingqueen
    vikingqueen Scope Member Posts: 1,336 Disability Gamechanger
        You won't even know if an account is being monitored, it'll only come to light if something illegal is found. I doubt very much buying normal everyday things would throw up a problem. 
  • OverlyAnxious
    OverlyAnxious Community member Posts: 2,496 Disability Gamechanger
        You won't even know if an account is being monitored, it'll only come to light if something illegal is found. I doubt very much buying normal everyday things would throw up a problem. 
    What about buying larger items using backpay that's legally disregarded for 12 months?  Will the system be smart enough to know that?  Will it be smart enough to remove the COL payments from your overall savings amounts?  What about buying a luxury gift for an unpaid carer?

    As with most things, it's not as clear cut as people may think.  And again, anxiety doesn't care whether you have or haven't done anything illegal, that's not how it works.  This is just another layer of stress added to the benefits system for people like myself.
  • Rosie_Scope
    Rosie_Scope Posts: 608 Scope online community team
    Although like others have said, I have nothing to hide, I think I'd find it an invasion of my privacy. As Jimm wrote above, my concern would be where this could potentially go next and how the data would be handled by the government and future governments.

    I just feel that in the wrong hands this would have the potential to play into the scrounger label and bring more scrutiny onto how disabled people 'should' be spending their money. That goes beyond just catching fraud and opens up a whole other can of worms.

    But I should also mention that this is just something they are considering so far and it may never happen. Please try not to worry about it too much at this stage.

    If you'd like to read some more information about the survey, I'll link it below:
    Survey of public perceptions of fraud, error and debt: summary - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
    Rosie (she/her)

    Online Community Coordinator @ Scope

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  • 2oldcodgers
    2oldcodgers Posts: 665 Connected
    Personally I agree with the proposal for two reasons.
    I forgot and failed to tell the DWP that my private pensions increased so received more than £500 in Pension Credit than I should have had. Thankfully I won the case at the Tribunal that I did not need to repay it.
    Secondly banks already notify the DWP & HMRC of the interest credited to bank accounts.
    Having the DWP do the checks no one would have an overpayment of benefits - must be a good thing.
  • WhatThe
    WhatThe Posts: 516 Connected

    Always so relieved to receive my payments that it wouldn't bother me. 

    I'm far more disturbed by the repeated invasions of privacy into my medical records, rent records, mental health and serenity over the last 15 years. 
       
     
  • Strangely
    Strangely Community member Posts: 25 Connected
    I'm already sick with worry over this shabby government's welfare reforms. This would create even more stress as I'd be constantly worrying about how much or even how little I'm spending or what I'm spending my money on...The thought of it is making me feel nauseous in fact.
  • poppy123456
    poppy123456 Community member Posts: 49,810 Disability Gamechanger

    Secondly banks already notify the DWP & HMRC of the interest credited to bank accounts.

    I don’t think informing DWP is correct. They do inform HMRC. 
    I would appreciate it if members wouldn't tag me please. I have all notifcations turned off and wouldn't want a member thinking i'm being rude by not replying.
    If i see a question that i know the answer to i will try my best to help.
  • Bettahm
    Bettahm Community member Posts: 1,268 Disability Gamechanger
    I just think maybe it's only a matter of time before they check to see just what you're spending your money on every month.
    For example, when I was with cmht their social worker came here with a whole list of questions. Question #1 check what benefits I'm receiving. 
    Question #2 what are you spending all this money on
    I dont remember what I said, I was horrified. 

    Maybe nothing to do with the dwp but then again....?
  • poppy123456
    poppy123456 Community member Posts: 49,810 Disability Gamechanger
    Bettahm said:
    I just think maybe it's only a matter of time before they check to see just what you're spending your money on every month.
    For example, when I was with cmht their social worker came here with a whole list of questions. Question #1 check what benefits I'm receiving. 
    Question #2 what are you spending all this money on
    I dont remember what I said, I was horrified. 

    Maybe nothing to do with the dwp but then again....?

    That sounds like the questions they ask when they are doing a financial assessment to determine what you need to pay towards any care you receive.
    I would appreciate it if members wouldn't tag me please. I have all notifcations turned off and wouldn't want a member thinking i'm being rude by not replying.
    If i see a question that i know the answer to i will try my best to help.
  • Adeline
    Adeline Community member Posts: 139 Pioneering
    Do they not already make us jump through enough hoops?
This discussion has been closed.

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