WhatsApp message from UC work coach

memyselfandi
memyselfandi Online Community Member Posts: 1 Listener
in Universal Credit (UC)
Hi all I'm new here so forgive me if I've not gone about this the right way. I got a message on my WhatsApp from a number I am not familiar with. The person identified themselves and said they were a work coach at my local Jobcentre who I has dealt with once or twice in regards to my Universal Credit and they live near me and they wanted to say hi neighbour but couldn't due to policies at work and since they had stopped working for the Jobcentre they had decied to mesage me they said if I ever needed anything to drop them a text or just call. Is it my or is this a very strange thing and is odd that someone should have my number when I didn't give it out and had waited until they left the job to contact me and should I report it to my local Jobcentre or just allow it as a person who is just being friendly? Thank you 

Comments

  • Kimi87
    Kimi87 Online Community Member Posts: 5,554 Championing
    You absolutely need to report it to the Job Centre, if it is genuinely that person then they are breaking all kinds of very serious rules. 
  • Sandy_123
    Sandy_123 Scope Member Posts: 63,057 Championing
    Stepping over the boundaries 
  • Adrian_Scope
    Adrian_Scope Posts: 11,750 Online Community Programme Lead
    Good morning @memyselfandi. I'm not an expert but I'd say this is a data protection breach and if I were in your situation I would definitely report it.

    If they used to work, or still currently work for the DWP then it's unacceptable that they've used your personal information to contact you. 

    There's also the possibility that it's part of a scam and they don't and never have worked for DWP. Either way, I'd advise not interacting with them and instead reporting the situation, especially if it has made you uncomfortable.
  • carbow32
    carbow32 Online Community Member Posts: 253 Empowering
    Sounds like a scam to me.
  • WhatThe
    WhatThe Online Community Member, Scope Member Posts: 3,900 Championing

    My JCP coach offered me his personal number (as if..) and also tried to hit on a friend of mine. Ignore the message and report him. What a cheek when they know so much information about us and know we are vulnerable!


  • WhatThe
    WhatThe Online Community Member, Scope Member Posts: 3,900 Championing

    It's outrageous isn't it?

    He's still there and it was in person. Promoted to UC claims from ESA having pulled the wool over my eyes and no doubt many others too. I'm old enough to be his mother, as is my friend, but that didn't put him off!

    Even with (or because of) my autism, I usually know when a guy is interested in me but many young women are naive as well as being vulnerable. 

    I was extremely vulnerable when I moved to my housing association property 15 years ago. The welfare officer/benefits advisor tried to groom me over several years and I was vaguely flattered at his interest. It was devastating to realise this could happen to someone of my age with all my experience.  
    His post at the HA ended. No-one there would have believed me and I was unable even to put pen to paper at that time.  


  • WhatThe
    WhatThe Online Community Member, Scope Member Posts: 3,900 Championing

    Thanks for that - I reckon most people underestimate us and will never understand our autism or resilience.   

    I must admit I feel the same. Much, much easier to be alone and I don't expect anyone to 'get' me anytime soon  ;)


  • WhatThe
    WhatThe Online Community Member, Scope Member Posts: 3,900 Championing

     :o  escalating since lockdown as they were still using mixed-sex wards  :s  an astonishing investigation by Sky and The Independent  


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