bank account privacy

[mawashi]

My son informs me that the dwp had gained access to his bank account (without his knowledge or permission) to get details of his finances, are they allowed to do this?

[johnny37]

not without his perrmission. Someone has done something illegal her, possibly his bank. Are you sure he didnt authorise it?

[themas]

There are anti-fraud procedures under which I believe DWP & HMRC can get access to details of various accounts held by benefit claimants. I don't know how this is done but it does sometimes throw up benefit claimants who are acting fraudulently and have accounts containing money which they have not declared on their claims. I guess there must be an exemption from the data protection legislation to cover this. (If there is not, then it would seem to be illegal.)

[mawashi]

I have since found out that the dwp gets information sent to them from the inland revenue on all bank accounts that match people on the dwp's list of persons who are claiming benefits, i.e. income support, job seekers allownce or any other benefits. As to whether or not they are allowed to access your accounts without your permission I still don't know, they didn't get my sons permission to access his.
Remember if you are claiming benefits you should inform them of any changes in your income status because the paper work will get you in the end.