ESA WARNING ACCESS TO BANK ACCOUNTS WITHOUT CONSENT

I'm sorry but if you have nothing to hide then what's the problem? If DWP think there's possible fraud involved then they can and will access a persons bank account, this has always been the case.

Some years ago I was hauled in because of a large sum of money went into my account and I was accused of fraudulent claiming of all benefits.
The money was an insurance payout for the loss of my house when it burned down.
They decided to take me to court for claiming housing benefit. The magistrates ruled in my favour and I thought that was the end of it.
But no.
They attached an order to my benefit to reclaim the said over payment and nothing I could do about it.


CR 

My wife works in DWP fraudulent and compliance team, YES!!!!! When claiming housing benefit or any DWP benefits, all bank accounts are monitored by computer software under the new anti spy laws, every bank account is monitored by DWP and local councils if claiming housing benefit or council tax benefit. It automatically flags up if there certain amounts that are paid into your account

I don’t agree with it and said to my wife it really, that spy laws are being abused we are divided on this. There is obviously reasons genuinely for some people that sell there second hand items to get by and then they are dragged in by the DWP for selling second hand stuff on ebay.

I understand the fact that DWP are and have to protect tax payers money, shame they don’t spy on MP’s for expenses scandal !!! 

‘’So I say to everyone be careful what goes into your bank account as gifts or xmas present money from family it will be investigated”
 
Also the people that are abusing benefits bewarned you are being watched 24/7 on your bank accounts, you won’t get away with it. If you abuse benefits you will pay for it and rightly so.

 Social Security Fraud Act. or RIPA can be used and more probing when used will be the The Investigatory Powers Act 2016 . It's more likely to be triggered when you have regular payments or  a large sum go into your account besides benefits or if you gain interest on savings.

There is No privacy anymore, no rights or anything.  Big brother is watching you on every move now.

I knew this was always been happening for many years way before this law came in, it's nothing new. All those that have loads in their account should be worried.

I'm safe too I only have a £1 in savings and just my benefits paid in. Then they are taken to pay all bills. 

Victoriad said:

So am I.....plenty of moths inhabiting my account.

Have you declared the moths though? 

Depending on your tax code, you can earn up to that per year without tax. 
Depending on the benefit you claim,  you can have up to xxxx in savings. 
Housing benefit says you can have £16000, for some this is going to be a big problem when it's scrapped and gets replaced with UC which says you can't!!!

I got pulled in on a routine check and they suspended the benefit because I didn't use my account!!! If it's got stuff all in in it, how can you!!

@Victoriad you've forgot to add a drink to your lovely menu. I'm shure @whistles May agree. Lol

One awesome drink to wash that moth food menu down. moth on the rocks. Lol.

Victoriad said:

Hey @whistles
Have you thought of perhaps publishing an alternative cook book.....20 recipes using moths as an alternative food source?........useful when bank account only has nothing but nothing in it.

Oriental menu.
No1 Crispy fried moths with noodles.
No 2 Sweet and sour moths
No3 Moth chow mein
No4 crispy moth pancakes
No5 Moth wontons
No6 Moth fritters with vanilla ice cream

more recipes anyone?

No 7 Chocolate dipped moths 
No 8 Jelly moths 

I’m suprised they have that amount of access. I can confirm they do this though as in January I received a gift of money from my mother. I got sent a letter from esa asking me what it was from and if it was paid work. I had to get my mother to sign a letter confirming it was a gift and would not have to give it back. They seem to get funny over people taking out loans while claiming esa. I’m autistic and when I recieved the letter from them giving me 2 working days to reply my anxiety went through the roof. It caused me a lot of stress as without esa I can’t eat. I also don’t always check my post so this could of very easily been missed and me left without any food. Luckerly my mum was arround to explain the letter to me and wright a reply to them. I don’t understand why they send letters to me as a lot of the time I panic and my body shuts down. 

I agree reed that it should be monitored as there are still quite a few people abusing the system or living abroad. But for genuine people it can cause a lot of upset and stress!!!

a nicer way to comunicate with people with life long disabilities would be better.  I think harsh letters and spying should be left to people claiming esa temareraly for example a broken leg that would heal in 6 weeks.