Universal Credit Review - data protection breach!

Hi TG0601

Yes count me in!

I did just write a lengthy reply to you but it didn’t send. I’ve had my payments stopped causing me complete distress, and hopelessness. I’m on anti depressants, and feeling at breaking point. I’ve explained all this to DWP via a formal complaint but they do not care. It’s of no concern to them.

I did provide my ID but will not comply with the bank statements demand as it’s a complete invasion of privacy, and for this reason my claim will be completely closed on August 10th (3 days time) I’ve had no money for two months, no rent paid leaving me facing eviction on top of all my other problems.

It’s a complete inhumane act and it’s about time a stop was put to this to save more people from total and utter despair.

Well the county court have made a demand that I need to pay my full rent each month along with £100 towards my arrears otherwise they’ll make a possession order to the council. So it’s not really looking good for me as it stands. I’ve reached out to Turn2us and CAB and they’ve put me in touch with some charities but they want bank statements also before they will offer any assistance. So it’s not looking great for me tbh. I’ve been having to eat at families and friends due to not being able to afford any of my own food. It’s completely humiliating.

I’m not sure how to send a DM can you drop me one and I can reply? Thanks

I wonder about the saying " biting the hand that feeds" here.

It's all very well defending one's corner, but what if they then decide to make things difficult in the future?

Hi @Kimi87

I know Reddit isn’t everyone’s favourite cup of tea on here and it’s not mines either. But some threads have popped up over there in the last month or so about the reviews. People have been asked a lot worse than your review on there. Seen people getting questioned about supermarket transactions, people have been asked other family members bank statements because they’ve sent money to them or received money, someone mentioned they got asked why they sent £1.50 to a friend and they couldn’t remember what is for so the agent on their call said the review couldn’t be completed until the person told the agent! Despite being under £6000. There’s other horror stories like that on there for example. The “verified” staff on there have said all these questions are due to them using teleperformance for these reviews and who have received no training.

I’ve also finally realised that some “verified” posters on there make stuff up or spread misinformation. One example being one of them said everyone on means tested benefits before COVID was asked for bank statements every 6 months which isn’t true and another mod on there mentioned on every award letter there’s something in these letters about bank statements reviews (which isn’t true) as I’ve kept all mines and checked mines myself. Also none of them have a clue. Another example was someone posted that they got a enhanced review message (the one where they want you a picture of your front door and street sign etc). A few of the staff on there said that’s normal and everyone will get one of those reviews. That’s not true as there’s a difference between standard and enhanced. Staff on there were rightly told they were wrong and the thread ended up getting locked because of it. Some of the staff don’t even have a clue about it and I’m at the belief these aren’t really working for DWP or any capacity as a lot of them get things wrong and why would DWP let anyone sit on Reddit all day to post about it. I posted something about UC on there a few months back and I was told by a “verified” staff member on there, my job centre worker who helped with my ID appointment to migrate over lied to me about a few things and was told job centre staff don’t really have a clue. Yet ironically the same staff member on there 2 months later when I posted about something else said “do you believe someone on Reddit or in your journal?” Which I felt it was ironic considering this person told me the opposite 2 months before. Basically they think they know it all on there when nearly all of them don’t. I now look at here, benefits and work forum and rights net for anything else. I also use the law guide for benefits instead and I’ve found out after looking at these forums most of the staff on Reddit lie or like to scare mongering people.

Even one mod (who still does) on Reddit was saying only LCWRA and Self-Employed are getting these reviews at the minute until they move on to the next phase. Which I know that’s not true. As I’ve seen others who don’t even claim any of those have got them.
Onto the reviews. I read they are targeted. It seems to be data related. I was even told by the woman at job centre a few months ago who done my new style esa appointment, that the best thing to do is to stop reading social media about UC as there’s a lot of scare mongering. I got told the only thing I have to do with having no work requirements is to tell them of any changes and that’s it and I’ll be left alone. Not these bank statement reviews.

There’s talk of something called Open Banking coming so anyone who get a review won’t have to upload anything and you give them access to scan your bank.

Sorry for the long post, it just had to be said.