DWP benefit claimants are being urged to make sure they keep their cash safe amid a fresh wave of Universal Credit scams.
According to Money Helper, some people have reported being approached in person by smartly dressed people claiming to be from Jobcentre Plus.
Others have been contacted online through social media groups, direct messages and adverts.
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People have also been approached online by someone claiming to have a friend who works at a Jobcentre, who’ll be able to process or approve the application on their behalf.
Some of these companies have professional-looking social media profiles and websites, with testimonials and government logos.
Money Helper, which offers impartial guidance to all, has listed some ways you can protect yourself from scammers.
Some fraudsters will offer to apply for an Advance Payment on your behalf - for a fee.
They’ll ask you for your Universal Credit login details, and may also claim to have some kind of inside access, such as a friend working at the Jobcentre Plus, who can approve these payments quickly.
If you’re already getting benefits, but not Universal Credit, scammers may first offer to make a claim for Universal Credit on your behalf.
Or they might claim they can apply for a loan or grant – but instead make a Universal Credit application for you.
To do this, scammers will ask for personal information so they can make the claim online. For example, they might ask your proof of identity, bank account details and National Insurance number.
Some people can’t claim Universal Credit. For example, full-time students, people who get the Severe Disability Premium of Employment and Support Allowance, and people with more than £16,000 in savings.
However, these people are also being targeted by Universal Credit scammers.
Scammers are likely to make this sound as if it’s free money. They’ll offer to make a claim for Universal Credit on your behalf when you might not qualify for it.
If you do need to make a claim for Universal Credit, you can ask your work coach if you need to make a claim for an Advance Payment while you’re waiting for your first Universal Credit payment. They’ll will tell you how to do this.
You’ll also be asked to go into your local jobcentre with proof of identity before the payment will be made.
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