Locked out of UC journal - someone changed phone number

pumpkinsguy
pumpkinsguy Online Community Member Posts: 2 Listener
in Universal Credit (UC)

Missed a call from the DWP today, just after receiving a text saying `Your mobile number has been updated. Call us if you did not request this.`

I definitely didn't request it.

Tried to log into my UC journal but the confirmation code is now sent to someone else's number, so I can't get the access code to my journal and can't log in.

Called the DWP and started the process to recover my account (they're going to call me over the new few days), but I'm just wondering how this might have happened and how to prevent it in the future?

I keep my info private and never share it.

Comments

  • OverlyAnxious
    OverlyAnxious Online Community Member Posts: 5,598 Championing

    This is genuinely concerning. It seems that they had access to your username and password for UC.

    If you use the same password for other websites, it may have been accessed during a data breach (hack).

    UC should now ask you to make a new password. And if you use the same one anywhere else, you should change it there as well - ideally to different passwords.

  • pumpkinsguy
    pumpkinsguy Online Community Member Posts: 2 Listener

    Thank you. I'm awaiting for a call from my local job centre to resolve this, but it won't be until the 29th at the earliest, so this will be hanging over me over Christmas. I'm not sure how exposed I am to anything bad happening but the timing is terrible. Thanks again.

  • MrHappy
    MrHappy Online Community Member Posts: 163 Empowering

    WOW that's very alarming!

  • MrHappy
    MrHappy Online Community Member Posts: 163 Empowering

    I recently switched over from ESA to UC and i do not have a journal because apparently i am in the 'telephone group'. On reading your post @pumpkinsguy I now more than ever don't want a journal.

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