So I'm with the work programme and have been taking temp work with agencies for a few weeks here and there over the last few months. I sign off JSA, then do a rapid reclaim so that DWP know the situation. I don't always tell my Ingeus Advisor and over the last week he has been demanding to know all the work info which I didn't think was relevant for him to know. After bombarding me with phone calls and answer messages, he phoned one of the agencies and they gave him details of all the temp work I had done.

I would just like to know where I stand. How much information do I have to give to Ingeus, why did this agency give out all this personal information to a stranger on the phone. Also as I now look like a pillock with the one agency and will never get any temp work again through them, will he now call round the other agencies demanding information, basically killing my chances of temp work.

Long post, but would appreciate any advice thanks.

You need to remove your consent. They ask so they can get payments for you working.

You need to remove your consent. They ask so they can get payments for you working.

I agree and also tell them where to go if they contact you. This is nothing short of harrasment.

Remove my consent from DWP contacting Ingeus?

Remove my consent from DWP contacting Ingeus?

Hiya Rob

You can remove your data consent which makes it illegal for Ingeus to contact any third party regarding you. (except DWP)... withdrawing consent is perfectly legal and within the DWP rules.

It also means that when you find a job, Ingeus cannot acquire the details they require from your employer, which means they cannot claim any money..

This in turn means Ingeus wont waste their time on you and they will see you less and less.

If you need a letter to with draw consent, let me know.. [email protected]

Nimitz

So I'm with the work programme and have been taking temp work with agencies for a few weeks here and there over the last few months. I sign off JSA, then do a rapid reclaim so that DWP know the situation. I don't always tell my Ingeus Advisor and over the last week he has been demanding to know all the work info which I didn't think was relevant for him to know. After bombarding me with phone calls and answer messages, he phoned one of the agencies and they gave him details of all the temp work I had done.

I would just like to know where I stand. How much information do I have to give to Ingeus, why did this agency give out all this personal information to a stranger on the phone. Also as I now look like a pillock with the one agency and will never get any temp work again through them, will he now call round the other agencies demanding information, basically killing my chances of temp work.

 

Long post, but would appreciate any advice thanks.

Hiya Rob

Regarding your question "How much info do I have to give Ingeus?"

DWP rules state that you only have to give them your name and address, THAT'S ALL. You DO NOT have to give anything else ..NO email address, NO mobile no. NOTHING ELSE (unless you want to)

Nimitz

Im in a similar situation, I was with ingeus but found myself some self employed work so I signed off and refused to give any information to ingeus as I didnt want them to benefit financially for something they hadnt done. Evetually the phone calls and emails from ingeus susbsided but my wife answered one this morning and so my advisor was able to speak to me. I still refused to give them any information to "update their records" and asked them to stop contacting me, they said they couldnt as they were contracted to do so by the DWP. Is there a way to legally stop them calling me as I now consider this harassment.

Same as you Charlie Chester. Conscripted to WP July 2011, found work and signed off beginning of Dec 2011, ignored the minimal attempts of WP to engage with me i.e. appointment letters ignored, messages left on phone ignored. yesterday had message left on phone from wp that as I'd ignored there attempt to contact me my 'advisor' (who I've never met) would be coming round my house Saturday morning, or Sunday if Sat not convenient. Had to respond to this, left message with receptionist that 1. they wouldn't get an answer if they knocked on the door and 2. I'd call the police to have them removed from my premises. Upto this time no-one's come round but I don't want them to contact at all in any manner. Like you I'd like to know if there's any way I can stop them contacting me. I didn't sign the data protection waiver but haven't sent the 'do not consent' letter

Same as you Charlie Chester. Conscripted to WP July 2011, found work and signed off beginning of Dec 2011, ignored the minimal attempts of WP to engage with me i.e. appointment letters ignored, messages left on phone ignored. yesterday had message left on phone from wp that as I'd ignored there attempt to contact me my 'advisor' (who I've never met) would be coming round my house Saturday morning, or Sunday if Sat not convenient. Had to respond to this, left message with receptionist that 1. they wouldn't get an answer if they knocked on the door and 2. I'd call the police to have them removed from my premises. Upto this time no-one's come round but I don't want them to contact at all in any manner. Like you I'd like to know if there's any way I can stop them contacting me. I didn't sign the data protection waiver but haven't sent the 'do not consent' letter

Hiya

Glad to see you did not sign the data waiver, excellent. As for the harassment from the advisor: write to the Ingeus manager informing him that you regard the phone calls and visits as harassment and that you will be writing to the DWP to complain, inform him also that you will report Ingeus to the police if there are any further visits or phone calls.

They lied to you...they are NOT contracted by DWP to "up date their records"

My friend had the same problem, once he informed them of the above actions they stopped harassing him.

With the benefit of hind sight...you are only obliged to give Ingeus your name and address...ONLY.... you do not have to give them your email address and telephone number..(unless you want to)

This link takes you to the Provider Guidance.."the rules of the game" created by the DWP, that Ingeus MUST follow.... it makes interesting reading, you may be surprised to know just how much power you have, but didn't know you had..lol

http://www.dwp.gov.uk/supplying-dwp/what-we-buy/welfare-to-work-services/provider-guidance/work-programme-provider.shtml

Nimitz

Surely, if DWP wanted to know these things, they'd write to you and not get Ingeus to?

Removal of consent letter here: http://consent.me.uk/workfareconsent/

Makes you completely worthless to them, you only then cost them money as they will never

get any outcome payment, can't contact anyone (work) etc..

Edit the letter to suit and get it sent in, I am taking some down to my local Ingeus on my next appointment and going to be an hour

early so I can hand them out, More people that do this the less money they make and finally drop the WP as its not making them any money.

George

In my situation I only want them to stop contacting me so I mat write to the DWP and complain about them there, after all they are trying to get paid for work they havent done

DWP dont want to know. Its Ingeus that want to know so they can claim £4000+

Hiya

 

Glad to see you did not sign the data waiver, excellent. As for the harassment from the advisor: write to the Ingeus manager informing him that you regard the phone calls and visits as harassment and that you will be writing to the DWP to complain, inform him also that you will report Ingeus to the police if there are any further visits or phone calls.

 

They lied to you...they are NOT contracted by DWP to "up date their records"

 

My friend had the same problem, once he informed them of the above actions they stopped harassing him.

 

With the benefit of hind sight...you are only obliged to give Ingeus your name and address...ONLY.... you do not have to give them your email address and telephone number..(unless you want to)

 

This link takes you to the Provider Guidance.."the rules of the game" created by the DWP, that Ingeus MUST follow.... it makes interesting reading, you may be surprised to know just how much power you have, but didn't know you had..lol

 

Nimitz

Thanks Nimitz

Harassment is a criminal offence under several Acts :

Public Order Act 1986

Section 4A, inserted by the next mentioned Act, creates the offence of intentional harassment, alarm or distress.

Section 5 creates the offence of harassment, alarm or distress.

Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994

• The Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994 only applies in England and Wales.
  

This Act provides means whereby intentional harassment, alarm or distress is a criminal offence. This makes all forms of harassment illegal, punishable on conviction by a six month jail term or a £5,000 fine. It is necessary to prove that the harasser's actions were intentional, and that someone was actually harmed by their actions.

Protection from Harassment Act 1997

Under this Act, it is an offence for a person to pursue a course of action which amounts to harassment of another individual, and that they know or ought to know amounts to harassment. Under this act the definition of harassment is behaviour which causes alarm or distress.

If the perpetrator is using the telephone, he/she would also fall foul of the telecommunications act and be in breach of T&C from their TelCo - Go to the Ocom page about harassment and lodge a complaint. In extreme cases, call the police. But to start with, a cease and desist letter should probably be sent pointing out the legislation they could be in breach of and remind them that proportional force could be used to remove an agent should they attempt a "home visit" without prior consent.

You need to remove your consent. They ask so they can get payments for you working.

That's the only thing he is interested in getting money from you.

Wow, what a fantastic thread. Much obliged guys, I'll give Ingeus both barrels now I know. Thanks again, Rob.

Sorry, not to appear silly. Do I copy and paste all parts? Do I send it to DWP and Ingeus?

I trimmed a little bit out when I sent the letter but you can send it all. You just need to give it to Ingeus at the moment, as they're the ones bugging you, though once you get a regular job and sign off for good you can also tell the DWP not to pass on any info to Ingeus using the same rule (and also by just filling in your ES40 signing-off form that you've found work and the job will last more than 5 weeks - no need to give the DWP your employers details)

Tell Ingeus you would like a letter of receipt to be sent to you, saying they have received your withdrawal notice - or if you're posting it, send it recorded delivery addressed to the manager. If you hand it to them be sure and tell them that it becomes effective immediately. What they should then do is to place a note on your file so that anyone opening it will see immediately that they're no longer allowed to pass on your data or contact anyone.

You can also mention that you're going to ask the DWP for a SAR (Subject Access Request) which is your right and means that Ingeus would have to hand over copies of all documents, emails and phone call records relating to you during your time with them. (Even if you don't actually intend doing it, it's well worth telling them you will, as it will make them even more cautious in what they do

I think I've got it sorted now and will send it off recorded delivery tomorrow. Thankyou so much, you've made my day to kick these bully boys into touch.

(and also by just filling in your ES40 signing-off form that you've found work and the job will last more than 5 weeks - no need to give the DWP your employers details)

You don't even need to tell the DWP that you have found a job or give any reason for signing off. All that is required is a closure date for your claim.