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DWP Powers to Check some Pensioners' Bank Accounts 'Rolling Out'
The Department for Work and Pensions expects to identify 50,000 to 100,000 Pension Credit overpayments annually using new bank account checks starting in 2026.
- The Department for Work and Pensions said it will verify Pension Credit claims via bank checks using new powers, with about 50,000 to 100,000 overpayments identified annually.
- The Department for Work and Pensions can require banks and other financial institutions to provide information to match specified DWP benefit accounts to eligibility indicators, says the measure.
- Banks can only share limited details such as specified account details, account holder name and date of birth, facing penalties for oversharing, while the DWP stresses checks will not use AI tools despite Neil McCoy-Ward's October 8, 2025 tweet claiming otherwise.
- When fully rolled out, the Department for Work and Pensions estimates it will identify between 50,000 and 100,000 overpayments each year, as the new fraud bill forces banks and financial institutions to share customer data.
- The DWP says information will not be used on the presumption of guilt and human decisionmakers will always be involved, while Parliament could add other means-tested benefits though the State Pension is excluded.
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DWP explains how ‘personal information’ will be used in claimant bank account checks
Investigators will also be able to directly take funds from people’s bank accounts The DWP has issued fresh details regarding new powers to check the bank account details of benefit recipients. Under newly approved legislation, DWP officials will demand financial institutions to provide data about accounts connected to specific benefits. The aim is to verify that those receiving their payments are genuinely entitled to them. These new powers, ca…
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Total News Sources17
Leaning Left1Leaning Right0Center13Last UpdatedBias Distribution93% Center
Bias Distribution
- 93% of the sources are Center
93% Center
C 93%
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