Apex issues advice following Universal Credit scam
Apex Housing Association is warning people in receipt of Universal Credit to be extra vigilant after one of its tenants was taken in by a telephone scam and convinced to hand over her Universal Credit login details.
Michael Lyttle, Welfare Advice Officer at Apex, explained how the scam progressed:
Our tenant was contacted by telephone and the person advised that they could get her extra money in her Universal Credit claim. They asked for her username and password which she provided.
Following the telephone call, the scammers logged in and changed the tenant’s address to one in Manchester. She received an email from Universal Credit stating that her new address could not be verified and contacted Apex as she was worried. Apex was able to contact Universal Credit on the tenant’s behalf to ensure her account was corrected.
Normally in these cases, fraudsters are obtaining details from Universal Credit claimants so they can log in, change their bank account details and apply for an advance. Thankfully in this case they didn’t get that far.
If you’re in receipt of Universal Credit, do not under any circumstances give your username and password to someone you don’t know.
If you think you have been the victim of a similar scam, contact Universal Credit immediately. Apex tenants can also contact its Welfare Advice Officers on 028 7130 4800.
