New National Insurance number scam warning issued by DWP to help people quickly spot fake phone calls

dailyrecord.co.uk:

The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has issued a new phone scam warning concerning National Insurance (NI) numbers. It has been over a year since the last spate of scams involving NI numbers swept across the country, resulting in tens of thousands of incidents being reported to Action Fraud, the UK’s national reporting centre for fraud and cybercrime, by June 2021.Everyone in the UK is sent a National Insurance number automatically just before their 16th birthday if their parents or guardians are receiving Child Benefit for their care.

This number helps identify you on UK and Scottish Government systems, including HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC), the DWP and Social Security Scotland.However, the number of scam phone calls appears to be on the rise again as the DWP has issued a video via its official Twitter account reminding people that it never uses an automated call system to contact customers - and if you receive such a call, it’s probably a scam.DWP posted on Twitter: “Be fraud aware and protect your personal details at all times.“Your information could be used by criminals to commit benefit and other fraud.”The short video explains: “DWP never use an automated call system for contacting customers.“If you receive an automated message about your National Insurance number, it is probably a scam.”The video guidance adds: :If you believe you have been targeted, contact Action Fraud.”You can report a scam on the Action Fraud website here or by calling 0800 123 2040.Last year’s scam involved victims’ receiving an automated phone call, during which they are told their ‘National Insurance number has been compromised’.