Universal Credit claimants told to delete app 'immediately' in urgent scam warning
North East councils and charities are among those to have urged customers to make sure they do not download the app or remove it from their devices
by Catherine Addison-Swan · ChronicleLiveNorth East councils and charities have issued a warning to Universal Credit claimants over a fake app that should be deleted from all devices "immediately".
This afternoon (Thursday, October 3), Citizens Advice Northumberland became the latest to alert people to the scam, writing on its Facebook page: "Please be aware of a fake app which looks like an official, government-endorsed app for Universal Credit. This is NOT a legitimate app!
"If you have installed this app, please uninstall immediately and only access the GOV.UK Universal Credit information through their official website - https://www.gov.uk/universal-credit." The charity also advised that anyone who needs help with their Universal Credit can contact one of their specialist advisers for assistance and support.
The fake app in question is under the name Universal Credit UK: Universal Credit Calculator by a maker called Woletech, and has a logo that is white on the top half and blue on the bottom half reading 'Universal Credit'. A search by ChronicleLive found that it is the second app that comes up in results when you search for 'Universal Credit' in the App Store on Apple devices, such as an iPhone or iPad, above even the official HMRC app.
The warning over the fake app has been shared by organisations and local authorities across the country, with Gateshead Council also among those to have alerted its followers to the scam on social media. The council wrote in a Facebook post last week: "We've been made aware of a fake Universal Credit app that claims to allow you to apply for benefits, including an advance on first payments.
"Please be aware it is a scam and should not be used. Specifically, do not share any personal information. If you have downloaded the app, which looks authentic both in branding and content, please delete it immediately."
This is one of a number of Universal Credit scams that have been reported in recent months, with some victims targeted online or over the phone while some have even been approached in person by people claiming to be from Jobcentre Plus. MoneyHelper explains: "The main way a Universal Credit scam works is someone offering to apply for a Universal Credit Advance Payment on your behalf and taking some of the money as a fee."
Join our WhatsApp communities
ChronicleLive is now on WhatsApp and we want you to join our communities.
We have a number of communities to join, so you can choose which one you want to be part of and we'll send you the latest news direct to your phone. You could even join them all!
To join you need to have WhatsApp on your device. All you need to do is choose which community you want to join, click on the link and press 'join community'.
No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the ChronicleLive team.
We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners.
If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'.
If you’re curious, you can read our privacy notice.
Join the ChronicleLive Breaking News and Top Stories community
Join our Court & Crime community
Join the Things to do in Newcastle and the North East community
Join our Northumberland community
Join our County Durham community
Join our Great North Run community