Teacher Fights to Clear Name After Identity Fraud Impact
A special needs teacher, Michael Bene, is struggling to clear his name following identity fraud that has left him liable for repayments totaling £763. This fraudulent claim for universal credit, made in his name, has forced Bene to spend nearly a year fighting to prove he is a victim and not a perpetrator of the crime. Despite providing substantial evidence that he was in the Scottish Highlands during a verification interview in Cheshire, the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has not acknowledged the fraud.
Bene, 51, who resides in Birmingham, discovered the fraud in October 2024 when he noticed a deduction on his wage slip. He has never claimed universal credit, having only received a few months of Jobseekers’ Allowance over two decades ago. His ordeal began when he learned that three fraudulent claims had been submitted in his name within a six-week period in various locations, including West Surrey and Crewe.
One of these claims was successful, leaving Bene responsible for repaying the money disbursed. Since the fraud was uncovered, he has sent over 80 emails and made more than 150 phone calls to the DWP in an effort to resolve the situation. He reported the issue immediately, providing evidence of his whereabouts on the dates in question, including a letter from his school confirming his presence at work during the alleged verification meetings.
Despite his efforts, the DWP’s response has been frustrating. According to a letter sent to Shabana Mahmood, his Member of Parliament, the DWP contended that funds had been deposited into an account in Bene’s name. The letter also claimed he attended a verification meeting, bringing his passport and other identification, which he firmly states never occurred.
Bene has faced additional hurdles due to security measures put in place by the DWP. He finds that agents often refuse to assist him because he does not know the answers to security questions established by the fraudulent claimant. “It’s just like going around in circles,” he stated. “They will refuse to speak to me because they’re still using the details of the fraudulent claim and the two security questions that were created by the fraudulent claimant as the basis of their verification process; it’s comical.”
The security questions posed by the DWP include inquiries such as, “What colour was your first car?” and “Where did you go on your first holiday?” Bene highlighted the absurdity, noting that he has never driven a car and thus cannot answer the questions.
In his pursuit of justice, Bene has also contacted the Information Commissioner and lodged 15 formal complaints with the DWP. Despite these efforts, he has been told he must escalate his case to a tribunal while still being required to make repayments on the fraudulent claim.
Bene expressed the profound impact this situation has had on his life, stating, “I really can’t put into words the effect it’s had on my life. I’ve broken down in tears quite a few times.” The stress has been overwhelming, particularly after receiving a decision review letter in March, which he described as a moment of immeasurable shock. “Even then, I’d never have imagined that 11 months later it would still be ongoing,” he remarked.
In response to the ongoing issues, a spokesperson for the DWP stated, “We are aware of this case and are looking into it. We have robust processes to detect fraudulent claims using a hijacked identity and support for anyone who thinks that they may have been a victim of identity fraud.” They urged individuals who receive debt recovery letters related to fraudulent claims to contact their office directly for assistance.
Bene’s situation exemplifies the challenges faced by victims of identity theft, particularly when dealing with bureaucratic systems that can sometimes appear indifferent to individual cases of fraud.
