Would you accept having your bank account checked?

2oldcodgers

Biblioklept said:

Albus_Scope said:

Hi @Tonawanda17, it's currently all just speculation, it may not actually happen, so please try not to worry too much about this. 

It's sadly not that speculative https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/survey-of-public-perceptions-of-fraud-error-and-debt/survey-of-public-perceptions-of-fraud-error-and-debt-summary they're certainly moving in the direction

Apparently it's what the public want :eyeroll:

I am one that is for this to happen. The number of people that I am aware of that are working 'cash in hand' AND are claiming UC - either sickness or unemployment is becoming an acceptable way of life.
For those that are cheating by not disclosing their true capital level is not acceptable.

Albus_Scope

I do understand that a very small majority will try to game the system with cash in hand work, or as they highlight, transferring money into off shore bank accounts.  But it is such a miniscule number that I feel the government will be spending a lot more money than they will save yet again.

As said before, this is only my personal opinion and not that of Scope. 

Tonawanda17

Hi, does anyone know which benefits are to be monitored? Is it Universal credit. I am only on CB ESA and Pip.

poppy123456

Tonawanda17 said:

Hi, does anyone know which benefits are to be monitored? Is it Universal credit. I am only on CB ESA and Pip.

If you mean bank accounts then there's no plans to do anything yet other than what they've always done. It's all speculation.

gjw59help

In theory it is a good idea as to preventing fraud but all the fraudsters will do is either get cash in hand,launder their money or have several bank accounts so all the worst offenders will avoid being caught,they need to start with millionaires and billionaires first!

Kalps

Once again....the rich get richer and the poor carry on getting their teeth kicked in as a constant!!! And pushed around by DWP because we claim benefits due to unwanted illness/conditions. I would so love to see a disabled person become a millionaire or 1 with several enrol health conditions!! FFS!!! 

cymbalfern

I think the government should only investigate if they have valid reasons. I feel randomly checking on people would be an infringement of privacy & rights. I did find it surprising that some comments mention holidays & large amounts of money spent on stationary items etc… I don’t think these people need to justify their spending & it’s their money & lives. However this doesn’t represent all disabled people’s spending. Some are severely struggling to pay the basics. Some of the comments I felt were inconsiderate to people who are truly suffering in the cost of living and those people need to be represented. 

Crazyone

I have nothing to hide but this feels like too much of an invasion of privacy, almost like having to show what is down my knickers to all and sundry. My banking and what I spend my money on is deeply personal, I mean we don't stand in the middle of Tesco and shout out to everyone all our banking details, well most of us don't, and that is what it would feel like, any random person (albeit working for the DWP), having access and questioning and us having to justify every little transaction that is perceived to be a non essential purchase.

Wibbles

Also - from past experience of large government contracts / plans - there would probably be an enormous boo boo and everyones' personal banking details would be released to all and sundry.. on facebook or something

We've seen similar things happen before.

2oldcodgers

poppy123456 said:

Tonawanda17 said:

Hi, does anyone know which benefits are to be monitored? Is it Universal credit. I am only on CB ESA and Pip.

If you mean bank accounts then there's no plans to do anything yet other than what they've always done. It's all speculation.

From what I have seen in the media more than 50% of the population polled want this to happen - they call that a democratic decision

michael57

if they want to check mine and dawnies there more than welcome if they say thats whats going to happen no amount of hoo ha from us is going to stop it 

Albus_Scope

2oldcodgers said:

From what I have seen in the media more than 50% of the population polled want this to happen - they call that a democratic decision

Sorry, but I'd not call a survey of two thousand people a democratic decision. 

cymbalfern

Crazyone said:

I have nothing to hide but this feels like too much of an invasion of privacy, almost like having to show what is down my knickers to all and sundry. My banking and what I spend my money on is deeply personal, I mean we don't stand in the middle of Tesco and shout out to everyone all our banking details, well most of us don't, and that is what it would feel like, any random person (albeit working for the DWP), having access and questioning and us having to justify every little transaction that is perceived to be a non essential purchase.

It’s not a laughing matter but I thought your comment was excellent & could imagine people stood their declaring their sins for buying an extra tin of beans even fancy Heinz & I only have ten pounds left in my account, does that make them feel better if people are suffering more …The government seem  to be acting so stupid. What is exactly wrong with them ?  

Albus_Scope

letitbe said:

From what I’ve read these checks , if they happen , are to check you haven’t got more than £16,000 in savings ( in which case you shouldn’t get UC ) and to check incoming money to your account ( work etc ) also to see you ain’t transferring money abroad often. 

Yes that's how I'd read the information too.  So it's not so much spying on our every move, it's just making sure money going in and coming out adds up.   Still not great obviously.

cymbalfern

I will reiterate the government should only investigate people if they actually have reason & some sort of evidence. I find this otherwise to be unlawful. I don’t know what on earth they think the average disabled person or people of ill health are up to, apart from just struggling to keep going & doing their best in their own way. A very very small percentage of people would surely be breaking any rules, why punish & judge everyone. Innocent until proven guilty. They are already very strict & stringent with us, I don’t know what the government want your soul or is it just to break the human spirit ?

cymbalfern

Sorry as you can see I am a big fan of the broken system 

Tonawanda17

Hi, from what i have seen it looks like its only those on UC or income related that will be checked. Is this anyonelses understanding?

Tonawanda17

I am asking if anyone else thinks these checks will only be done on those claiming UC?

chiarieds

It's always best to get correct info; 50% of the population certainly weren't part of this survey, as Albus has also referenced.

'' The survey was completed by 2,127 people, comprising a nationally representative sample of 1,782 people and a boost of 345 additional claimants.'' details from here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/survey-of-public-perceptions-of-fraud-error-and-debt/survey-of-public-perceptions-of-fraud-error-and-debt-summary

Albus_Scope

Tonawanda17 said:

I am asking if anyone else thinks these checks will only be done on those claiming UC?

As stated by many others previously, this is not set in stone yet, it's all conjecture. 

 But at a guess, it would be for all benefits, as it would be to tackle benefit fraud.   Again this is only a guess, nothing has been announced, so please try not to worry.