Bank Statements

[fruitsalad]

Is it law that you have to show your bank statements when asked by certain organisations 

i.e. DWP, Councils etc.,

[barry1010]

If you're receiving or applying for means tested benefits you won't go to prison if you refuse; you will just the benefit 

If they are investigating fraud, you might as well show them because they will get access to them whether you like it or not

[davebro3]

I haven't had a paper bank statement for years & having switched banks numerous times I doubt if I could trace any but the most recent on line.

[barry1010]

Not me, and we change banks a lot, too.

I am certain the authorities would have no problem tracing all of them

[davebro3]

well HMRC haven't caught up with my untaxed interest yet!!!!

[barry1010]

Fingers crossed 

[davebro3]

hm - might be a big bill when it comes...

[barry1010]

As long as you've got the money to pay it...

[fruitsalad]

No barry, neither of those things, I was just querying something I was told  that no one has a right to ask to see your bank account statements, and wondered if that was true.

[DDIL]

Currently, DWP can only request details of a bank account holder's transactions if there are reasonable grounds to suspect them of fraud

[naomi24]

There is talk of the government giving itself the right to look at bank accounts without a court order.  We had a thread on it very recently.

[Peter Pedant]

If you're receiving or applying for means tested benefits you won't go to prison if you refuse; you will just the benefit 

well done Barry  - ABer doesnt undersand the rules ( of benefits) so twists the issue out of all recognition

If they  are looking at aving of £16 000 they  may well wish to see bank statements. Watch out - they dont have much sense of humour about - the er 'wrong' statements

So the law says....they can lawfully ask  to see them in order to decide. And they can lawfully refuse a benefit if they dont see them.

Time to start reading your official letters carefully

[barry1010]

That's what I meant, PP, I missed out one word - 'you will just LOSE the benefit'.

The DWP isn't just interested in your savings, they want to know your income too if you claim means tested benefits. 

[Peter Pedant]

We had a thread on it very recently.

here something - not really on subject.

whether the law will be changed remians to be seen.

AI Overview Learn more. 

 

Enforced subject access is a criminal offense in the UK that occurs when someone is forced to make a subject access request (SAR). This can happen when an employer, recruitment agency, or other organization requires someone to provide information about themselves as a condition of employment or service. 

Examples of enforced subject access

An employer requiring a job applicant to provide a copy of their criminal record 

An insurance provider requiring a customer to provide a copy of their medical records as a condition of insurance 

A housing association requiring a tenant to provide a copy of their criminal record as a condition of tenancy 

Who can report enforced subject access? 

The individual who is the victim of enforced subject access can report it to the ACRO Criminal Records Office

The individual can also report it to the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO)

What is the legal basis for enforced subject access? 

Enforced subject access is covered by Section 177 of the Data Protection Act 2018

[Peter Pedant]

That's what I meant, PP, I missed out one word - 'you will just LOSE the benefit'.

calm yourself BB I doubt if anyone read it and if they did,they understood it

[barry1010]

My neighbour had a free boiler installed last year under a government Eco grant scheme.  She had to sign a form saying she consented to her bank statements and savings accounts being photographed, if she refused she wouldn't get the boiler. 

She agreed and is very happy and cosy, enjoying her free boiler and other free upgrades she had to her home.  So she didn't have to show her bank statements but she wouldn't have got her boiler if she didn't.  It was a man from the council that took the photos and her details, my wife was with her as she doesn't like having strangers in her home.

[naomi24]

Check out the Public Authorities (Fraud, Error and Recovery) Bill which would introduce new measures allowing the government to recover money directly from bank accounts without a court order.

[Peter Pedant]

Jesus

https://researchbriefings.files.parliament.uk/documents/CBP-10183/CBP-10183.pdf

is the text and briefing of the bill - - - I will let someone else readit

[barry1010]

Under the existing powers, as detailed in that Bill, 'an ‘authorised officer’ may require a wide range of third party information holders to provide them with information relating to individuals. Third party data holders include banks and building societies, credit reference agencies, money transfer companies, insurers, educational establishments, student loan companies and utility companies ........Officers may only require information when it appears to the authorised officer that there are reasonable grounds for believing that a person has committed, is committing, or is intending to commit a benefit offence, or is a family member of such a person.'

Seems they already have the power to access all the information they need.