Everyone with a National Insurance number has been issued a warning from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP).
All UK residents are 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 Government systems, including HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC), and the DWP.
And now the Government department is urging people not to part with sensitive details that could see them at risk of losing significant sums of money. In June 2021, a 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.
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The scam 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, the Daily Record reports.
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". They are then instructed to "press 1 on their handset to be connected to the caller" in order to supposedly fix the issue and get a new National Insurance number.
However, following these instructions led to sinister consequences. Once connected to the "caller", victims are pressured into handing over personal details - which the fraudsters claim is to enable them to receive a new National Insurance number, giving the criminals personal details enables them to commit fraud using the victim’s credentials and information.
If you receive an unexpected phone call, text message or email that asks for your personal or financial details, remember to:
- Stop: Taking a moment to stop and think before parting with your money or information could keep you safe.
- Challenge: Could it be fake? It’s okay to reject, refuse or ignore any requests. Only criminals will try to rush or panic you.
- Protect: If you have provided personal details to someone over the phone and you now believe this to be a scam, contact your bank, building society and credit card company immediately and report it to the police via 101.
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