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<p /> <p /> <p>DWP has taken a number of steps to design out Fraud and Error in the
Universal Credit system.</p><p> </p><p>Prior to the introduction of Universal Credit
(UC), DWP assessed the risk of fraud and error and concluded the risk would be mitigated
by restricting the initial claims in Pathfinder areas to those with the lowest risk
of fraud, and to exclude more complex claims where fraud or error was more likely.
DWP also implemented an automated data-matching capability to defend the UC system
against the top causes of fraud or error. This Counter Fraud Capability introduced
an automated pre-payment check for the first time to prevent fraud. It checked the
very first UC claim and has checked every claim made since. This process also conducts
a weekly scrutiny of all the data DWP holds against all UC claims to detect any fraud
that may have subsequently started so we can take action immediately.</p><p>To provide
a secure roll out of UC nationally, DWP's specialists in security and counter-fraud
work are working with the UC Programme to ensure that the essential security and counter-fraud
controls are in place before the digital 'end state' service can go live. By drawing
on security and counter-fraud knowledge from across Government and external security
expertise, we are ensuring that the core digital service is 'secure by design' from
the outset, and that the service is also supported by the right online security and
counter fraud capabilities.</p>
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