Bank accounts checked monthly by DWP?

Just seen in the press something about anyone receiving benefits having their bank accounts checked monthly for « fraud ». This is worrying on many levels for privacy and other issues. Apparently they've asked a mere 2000 people and 62 per cent think this is fine so its all go in the Autumn statement. How can they get away with this? Its very intrusive and I thought there were strict rules around this type of thing.

I assume the DWP doesn't currently have permission to check bank records of existing claimants without already having certain evidence - hence the proposed new policy for the banks to clue them in. Is that right? Otherwise what's the point?

People will say there's nothing to worry about if you haven't done anything wrong. But it clearly would be grossly intrusive in any case.

I'm new to the forum and submitted a question about being asked for bank statements after declaring capital. I look forward to it being published and any replies.

This is being obliged by the dwp to do monthly checks on claimants bank accounts so different to checking if they are concerned about fraud. This is like a pre crime situation where they are sweeping peoples accounts for potential fraud. Highly intrusive and unnecessary seeing as there is such little fraud. Perhaps it would be better to do this to MPs accounts as last time they tried to check their accounts they had to close the department doing the checks due to the aggressiveness of the MPs response!