|
Post by whatsupdok on Aug 24, 2012 15:38:02 GMT 7
YOURLifeChoices member Irene asked us to settle an argument on whether Centrelink has the power to check your bank account.
Q. Irene Could you please settle an argument for me? A couple of my friends say that Centrelink can look at our bank accounts any time it likes. I say it can’t, as it would be a breach of the privacy act. Which of us is correct?
A. Centrelink does not have the power to spot check individual's bank accounts. However, it does utilise data-matching with other Government agencies to weed out cases of possible welfare fraud. For example, if you were to provide Centrelink with one set of figures and information, but the ATO with something different, this would be flagged by data-matching software. Centrelink has the power at this point to request details of your accounts from your bank.
If a discrepancy is flagged, the details of your accounts will be sent encrypted in an encrypted form to specialised staff, who will review them. Centrelink does not have the ability to remove funds from your account.
|
|
|
Post by Banjo on Aug 24, 2012 15:48:28 GMT 7
When you sign up with Centrelink for a benefit they can ask you for details or even access your account independently at any time.
YourLifeChoices probably wouldn't like us having copied and pasted stuff from their site with out a link being provided. Internet copyright is a fairly sensitive area, not all are as tolerant as DSPoverseas.
|
|
|
Post by Banjo on Aug 25, 2012 5:25:55 GMT 7
If you doubt Centrelink can get your bank statements, try applying for your file under the FOI Act. My file contained all my bank statements back for nearly 15 years.
|
|
|
Post by rowdy on Aug 25, 2012 9:22:48 GMT 7
If you doubt Centrelink can get your bank statements, try applying for your file under the FOI Act. My file contained all my bank statements back for nearly 15 years. Centrelink can do whatever they want: SOCIAL SECURITY (ADMINISTRATION) ACT 1999 - SECT 192
General power to obtain informationThe Secretary may require a person to give information, or produce a document that is in the person's custody or under the person's control, to the Department if the Secretary considers that the information or document may be relevant to one or more of the following: (a) the question whether a person who has made a claim for a social security payment is or was qualified for the payment; (b) the question whether a social security payment is payable to a person who is receiving the payment; (c) the question whether a social security payment was payable to a person who has received the payment; (d) the rate of social security payment that is or was applicable to a person; SOCIAL SECURITY (ADMINISTRATION) ACT 1999 - SECT 197
Offence--failure to comply with requirement
(1) A person must not refuse or fail to comply with a requirement under this Division to give information or produce a document. Penalty: Imprisonment for a term not exceeding 12 months.
|
|
|
Post by roxane on Aug 25, 2012 9:45:02 GMT 7
In this country gov. agencies have the right to get all your bank a/c details. This is not Switzerland, in this country there is no privacy when it comes to banks!!!! So don't even think you can hide anything from them. Your bank a/c is pretty much an open book. It doesn't mean that C/L looks at everybody a/c, but if they want they can do it fairly easily.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Aug 25, 2012 10:44:49 GMT 7
interesting,can they look to see how much super you have and how much of it your spending.
|
|
|
Post by breadrolls on Aug 25, 2012 10:51:22 GMT 7
interesting,can they look to see how much super you have and how much of it your spending. No, they cannot touch super or even ask how much.
|
|
|
Post by breadrolls on Aug 25, 2012 10:53:39 GMT 7
When I was under investigation for being able to afford budget airline tickets Centrelink went through years of bank statements of mine and even my Paypal account.
|
|
|
Post by Banjo on Aug 25, 2012 11:35:32 GMT 7
Similar happened recently to one of our members who runs a small business Centrelink is fully aware of. Massive investigation and international financial transaction accounts examined as well as any credit applications he had made. Apparently that's all on the governments files as well.
|
|
|
Post by Banker on Aug 26, 2012 4:03:17 GMT 7
|
|
|
Post by Banjo on Aug 26, 2012 5:36:08 GMT 7
They had a discussion on portability last week as well but they didn't know much about it. I noticed our member sceadugenga was over there straightening them out on a few point.
|
|
|
Post by Banker on Aug 26, 2012 6:29:15 GMT 7
They had a discussion on portability last week as well but they didn't know much about it. I noticed our member sceadugenga was over there straightening them out on a few point. My houseboy/gardner/driver, registered on there this morning, he might be able to set them straight also. ;D
|
|
|
Post by Banjo on Aug 26, 2012 7:26:01 GMT 7
Three servants? You may be getting a finances check by Big Brother.
|
|
|
Post by Banker on Aug 26, 2012 8:36:41 GMT 7
Three servants? You may be getting a finances check by Big Brother. No mate only one but he does all three jobs.
|
|
|
Post by eight on Aug 26, 2012 11:29:49 GMT 7
I would assume that C/L have no way of accessing details of bank accounts of those that live o/s, as in Thailand??
|
|