The latest statistics from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) show that there are now 6.7 million people across Scotland, England and Wales, receiving financial support through Universal Credit, a means-tested benefit intended to help those out of work or on a low income, with daily living costs.
As unemployment levels rise (3.89%) and more people claim the benefit, new guidance from the DWP aims to help Universal Credit claimants recognise whether a call they receive is a DWP advisor or a scammer trying to trick them into handing over personal or financial information.
The DWP telephony systems mean that genuine calls display as 0800 numbers, or an unknown number. If you someone gets a call from an unknown number following a message in their online account, DWP is urging claimants not to ignore it and ‘please pick up’ as it’s likely to be them.
However, to help people make sure it is the DWP on the phone and not a would-be fraudster, DWP said it will “ensure that you know the call is genuine”.
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