Advice
Consumer Advice
Universal Credit – Still Work to be Done Some research carried out nationally by Citizens Advice shows that improvements have been made in the administration of Universal Credit, but more changes are still needed.
By Eileen Le Voi - Safe Local Trades & Services
Over the past two years, various changes were made to the way Universal Credit payments were made, such as cutting the waiting time by a week, and providing bigger advance payments, which have benefitted clients. However, Citizens Advice research shows that half of the people they helped still had to borrow from friends and family, or fell behind on bills. Universal Credit is paid monthly, but many who work or claimed the old legacy benefits were used to getting paid more often, and the change creates budgeting challenges.Too few people have access to the different ways of being paid, like getting payments twice a month. Only 14% of the people helped nationally over the last year knew that more frequent payments were possible, although 80% of those who weren’t told about it would have taken the option if they had known. Of the thousands of people who visit Citizens Advice nationally, it was found that people claiming Universal Credit have just £2 left over each month after paying for essentials, (rent and food), compared to £12 for people who claim the “legacy benefits” that it replaces. People often claim Universal Credit because something disruptive is happening in their life, like losing a job or ending a relationship. This can create huge financial pressures, and Citizens Advice knows that many people don’t have savings, so quick access to financial support is needed. People who have been helped often struggle financially, well beyond the first few weeks of being on Universal Credit.
Market Deeping
The New Community Centre, Douglas Road, Market Deeping PE6 8PA Opening times: Wednesday 10:00am – 3:00pm
Deeping St. James
The Institute, 38 Church Street, Deeping St James PE6 8HD Opening times: Fortnightly by appointment, referrals after initial assessment at Market Deeping
Bourne
Wake House, 41 North Street, Bourne, Lincs PE10 9AE Opening times: Thursday 10:00am – 3:00pm
www.citizensadvicesouthlincs.org.uk 52
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Time to Hang up on the Telephone Tricksters – Don’t be Fooled this April !
Deepings
Safe Local Trades is delighted to be supporting the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough against Scams Partnership (CAPASP), which looks at beating the bogus calls and rogue traders in YOUR area. Telephone Scams – potentially a lot more damaging and sophisticated than your average nuisance call about PPI, direct sales call or automated offer. Here is a guide to the types of scam calls, and some tell-tale signs which can help us hang up on the fraudsters. • Vishing - A telephone call is used in an attempt to steal personal information. • SMShing - An SMS text message is used in an attempt to steal personal information. • Investment or ‘Boiler Room’ Scam - A telephone call offers worthless, overpriced or non-existent shares. • Pension Scam - Designed to lure people to cash in their pension with promises of upfront cash, guaranteed returns and one-off deals. From January 2019, it has been illegal for genuine pension companies to cold-call. • Computer Scam - A scammer calls you and asks for you by name. They’ll say they are a computer-security expert from Microsoft, or another legitimate tech company. They’ll say that your PC, laptop or tablet has been infected with malware (or a computer virus), and that they can help you solve the problem. The scammer will attempt to confuse you with jargon or ask you to open common Microsoft utilities and services that list what may appear to be problems with your computer. Stay safe: NEVER give out any bank / financial / personal information over the phone. A scammer will try and persuade you on the phone to hand over your bank card to a courier or taxi driver and they often say they’re from your bank or the police. They may ask you to give them your card and PIN, set up a ‘safe’ account, or buy expensive goods like watches or mobile devices and hand these over to them. ALWAYS be wary of any unsolicited phone calls, especially when they ask for your personal or financial details, hang up and report ANYTHING suspicious. Your bank or the police will NEVER: • Ask you to transfer money to a new account for fraud reasons, even if they say it is in your name. • Phone you to ask for your 4-digit card PIN or your online banking password, even by tapping them into the telephone keypad. • Ask you to withdraw money to hand over to them for safe- keeping. • Send someone to your home to collect your cash, PIN, payment card or cheque book if you are a victim of fraud. • Ask you to purchase goods using your card and then hand them over for safe-keeping. If you think you or a loved one may have been the victim of a scam, report it. To find out how you can sign up for the fight against fraud, and read some tips on spotting a scam, visit www.friendsagainstscams.org.uk
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