A special needs teacher from Birmingham, Michael Bene, is facing a prolonged struggle to clear his name after identity fraud led to a fraudulent universal credit claim in his name. The situation, which has persisted for almost a year, has left Bene liable for repayments totaling £763 for an advance payment made on the claim.
Bene, 51, first discovered the fraud in October 2024 when he noticed a deduction on his wage slip. Despite never having claimed universal credit before—his only government assistance being a brief period of Jobseekers’ Allowance over two decades ago—he found himself entangled in a web of confusion and distress. The fraudster had made three claims in his name within a six-week span in 2023, impacting regions including West Surrey, Birmingham, and Crewe.
The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has yet to acknowledge the fraudulent activity, despite Bene providing evidence that he was in the Scottish Highlands during the verification interview that the claimant attended in Cheshire. He has dedicated countless hours trying to prove his innocence, sending over 80 emails and making more than 150 phone calls to resolve the situation.
In a letter addressed to his Member of Parliament, Shabana Mahmood, Bene detailed the DWP’s assertion that the funds were paid into a bank account in his name. The letter further claimed that he had attended a verification meeting with the necessary documents, which Bene vehemently denies. This has compounded his frustrations as he navigates what he describes as a “Kafkaesque barrier.”
“The situation has just turned my life into hell on earth,” Bene said, expressing the emotional toll it has taken on him. He has faced repeated hurdles, including agents refusing to speak with him because he cannot answer security questions set up by the fraudster. “I know what the questions are, but they are completely irrelevant to me,” he explained. One of the questions asks about the color of his first car—a topic he cannot engage with as he has never driven.
Despite involving his MP and filing 15 formal complaints with the DWP, Bene has not achieved a resolution. The DWP has advised him to take his case to a tribunal while still requiring him to make repayments. “I really can’t put into words the effect it’s had on my life,” he stated, revealing that he has broken down in tears multiple times during this ordeal.
The emotional strain intensified when Bene received a decision review letter in March, leading to feelings of stress and anxiety that he struggled to process. “Even then, I’d never have imagined that 11 months later it would still be ongoing,” he reflected.
In response to his situation, a spokesperson for the DWP stated, “We are aware of this case and are looking into it. 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 encouraged anyone receiving a debt recovery letter related to a fraudulent claim to contact them directly for assistance.
As Bene continues to fight for justice, he hopes his story will raise awareness of the challenges faced by victims of identity fraud and the need for more effective systems to protect individuals from such distressing situations.