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Advice Needed

About a month ago, my "friend" who lives next door asked me for my bank details so that a family member could deposit some money into my account to get her by until her next ESA payment. The request seemed relatively benign, so I agreed. A few days ago, she informed me that another deposit would be coming through and asked if could help out again by picking it up for her.
When I checked my online statement, I discovered that she had somehow had her ESA payment directly deposited into my account without my permission. Highly annoyed, I asked her about it, and she apologised, but said it was fine. Because I find her to be intimidating, I went ahead and withdrew the cash because I cannot handle the stress. Knowing she'd be out of pocket for two weeks means she would undoubtedly be banging down my door, and I can see she would immediately call DWP and say I arranged to have the payment dropped into my account.
I feel stuck between a rock and a hard place with this because if I simply report it to DWP, I truly fear there will be physical repercussions being that I know she's associated with dodgy people. If I allow it to continue, I am going to be done for benefits fraud. At the moment, I feel so desperate as to change banks, move, and then report it to DWP before the next payment goes in.
Can someone please give me some peace of mind over this, because I am losing a lot of sleep thinking of what to do in such a short time.
Thank you
When I checked my online statement, I discovered that she had somehow had her ESA payment directly deposited into my account without my permission. Highly annoyed, I asked her about it, and she apologised, but said it was fine. Because I find her to be intimidating, I went ahead and withdrew the cash because I cannot handle the stress. Knowing she'd be out of pocket for two weeks means she would undoubtedly be banging down my door, and I can see she would immediately call DWP and say I arranged to have the payment dropped into my account.
I feel stuck between a rock and a hard place with this because if I simply report it to DWP, I truly fear there will be physical repercussions being that I know she's associated with dodgy people. If I allow it to continue, I am going to be done for benefits fraud. At the moment, I feel so desperate as to change banks, move, and then report it to DWP before the next payment goes in.
Can someone please give me some peace of mind over this, because I am losing a lot of sleep thinking of what to do in such a short time.
Thank you
Replies
The family member who wishes to give her some money to tie her over can simply send a postal order!
It's not fine. It's out of order on her part.
A lot of bank account providers will print the national insurance number and the acronym of the appropriate benefit on the bank statement so it'll be quite easy to prove this money isn't yours, if you were ever asked to do so.
You are clearly uncomfortable with this happening though and quite rightly you are annoyed that the friend gave the DWP your bank details for her money to go in. You need to ask her to stop it though and you know that if it's making you feel this way.
Lee
I would speak to somebody at the bank about this.At least then you could perhaps tell her that they approached you.I know it’s a bit of a fib but at least by mentioning it to the bank you will be able to ask them what they think.
I would then arrange a quiet chat with the Dwp.They won’t drop you in it but will query it with your neighbour.If you explain how intimidated you are by her then surely they cannot tell her you mentioned it to them because of data protection.
After all you have done nothing illegal.
Debsidoo.x
My bank says they cannot stop anyone from depositing money into my account. The DWP has told me on two separate calls that I cannot stop her benefit from being deposited into my account. She is the only one that can change circumstances and stop the deposits. Although I've learned a hard lesson about giving out even basic account information, I still feel somewhat violated being that I no longer feel I'm in control of my own financial privacy.
At any rate, I have also moved house without her knowing, so she has only two choices: Remove herself from my account, or volunteer her benefit to me. I am not rejoicing over the latter, as all I want is her out of my life and business.
Thanks again for everyone's advice.
This sounds very stressful for you.
Have you thought about closing your bank account and opening another elsewhere for your own use?
Just a thought, probably not one that you haven't considered.
Best wishes
Gill_Scope
That's am interesting thing I didn't know.