A special needs teacher, Michael Bene, is fighting to clear his name after learning that an identity fraud scheme has left him responsible for hundreds of pounds in repayments. The incident stems from a fraudulent claim for universal credit made using his identity, which he discovered nearly a year ago.
Bene, 51, a resident of Birmingham, was shocked to find a deduction on his wage slip in October 2024. He quickly learned that three claims had been made in his name over a six-week period in 2023, with one successful claim in Crewe. An advance of £763 had been issued under his name, despite his never having claimed universal credit before. The only benefit he has ever received was a few months of Jobseeker’s Allowance over 20 years ago.
The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has not acknowledged the fraud, even though Bene provided evidence that he was in the Scottish Highlands during a verification interview held in Cheshire for the fraudulent claim. He stated, “It’s just turned my life into hell on earth,” describing the extensive effort he has made to prove his innocence, which has included sending over 80 emails and making more than 150 phone calls to the DWP.
Bene reported the fraud immediately upon discovering it. He supplied the DWP with documentation confirming his whereabouts during the verification meeting, as well as a letter from his school verifying his attendance at work on the dates in question. Despite this, he received a response from his MP, Shabana Mahmood, stating that the DWP claimed the funds were deposited into a bank account in his name. The DWP letter also inaccurately stated that he had attended a face-to-face meeting to verify his identity, which he insists never happened.
The ongoing battle has been compounded by the DWP’s verification process. Bene noted that agents often refuse to speak with him because he cannot answer the security questions set up by the fraudster. He described this as a “truly Kafkaesque barrier,” explaining, “They will refuse to speak to me because they’re still using the details of the fraudulent claim.”
Bene has also taken further steps by writing to the information commissioner and filing 15 formal complaints with the DWP. Despite his efforts, he has been advised to take his case to a tribunal while still being required to make repayments on the fraudulent claim. He expressed the emotional toll the situation has taken on him, stating, “I’ve broken down in tears quite a few times.”
The stress of the ordeal has been overwhelming. “When I received the decision review letter in March, my shock was immeasurable,” Bene said. “I was so stressed and anxious I quite literally couldn’t process it.” As he reflects on the past months, he never anticipated that nearly a year later, the situation would still be unresolved.
A spokesperson for the DWP confirmed they are aware of Bene’s case and are investigating. They stated, “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.” The spokesperson advised anyone receiving a debt recovery letter related to a fraudulent claim to contact them at 0800 916 0647.
As Bene continues to fight for justice, his story highlights the significant challenges individuals face when dealing with identity fraud, especially when official channels fail to provide timely resolutions.
