DWP fraud advice

On the programme on Tuesday 28 April 2026, we investigated a case involving a fraudulent loan application to the Department of Work and Pensions, which had been obtained following the theft of the National Insurance number and other personal data from lorry driver Andy.

The issue came to light when a ‘Direct Earnings Attachment’ payment was taken from Andy’s wages, which turned out to be the DWP recovering the loan repayments. A Direct Earnings Attachment is a way of the DWP clawing back overpayments in benefits or tax credits.

The DWP advises that anyone who receives a letter they believe relates to a fraudulent claim to get in touch by calling 0800 916 0647.

The debt charity Step Change has published information about Direct Earnings Attachments on its website here, including how challenge one that’s been applied incorrectly.