UNIVERSAL CREDIT WARNING ISSUED BY POLICE AS DWP LAUNCHES INVESTIGATION

Universal Credit claimants have been warned over a fake app that should be deleted immediately.

Universal Credit is a benefit worth up to £393.45 a month for a single person, which replaced many older benefits such as Housing Benefit and Income Support.

Around 6.4million people in England, Scotland and Wales get Universal Credit.

But North Wales Police have warned claimants of a fake app being downloaded that could be a risk to users.

The police force said: 'We've been made aware of a fake Universal Credit app that is available to download. This is not the official app for Universal Credit and may not be secure.

'The Department for Work and Pensions is investigating. If you have it on your device the advice is to uninstall the app and access your UC account via the Government's website.'

The force has not given more details about the app. 

There is no legitimate app to claim Universal Credit, though the Department for Work and Pensions was said to be developing one in 2021.

The phony app was also mentioned as a risk by councils including Rother District Council and Elmbridge Borough Council.

2024-10-02T12:19:08Z dg43tfdfdgfd