The Department for Work and Pensions has initiated a massive clampdown on benefit fraud.

The DWP could even approach a suspect's relatives as part of its enquiries.

In addition to bank account inspections, benefit recipients' family members can be approached during probes.

A DWP spokesperson explained: "Our information gathering powers have been in place for many years and are only used where there is a suspicion of fraud.

"This measure will modernise those powers, bringing them into the 21st century and expanding them to include all types of DWP-led investigations," reports Chronicle Live.

Under the new arrangements, the DWP can approach "any relevant third-party information holder" unless the information is exempt.

Regarding fraud, the department explained that information requests can be issued "to a family member of a suspect" if there is information suggesting that this relative may "explicitly or unknowingly" be connected to the fraud enquiry.

The new powers will be subject to various safeguards, including an Independent Reviewer and the remit of the Independent Office of Police Conduct.

Law reform charity Justice explained: "We have highlighted issues with the IOPC's capacity, and stressed the need for the Independent Reviewer to have the requisite powers, funding and remit to effectively hold the DWP and PSFA to account."

They added: "The Bill creates new intrusive state investigatory powers to tackle fraud, empowering both the existing DWP (Department for Work and Pensions) Fraud department, and creating a new "Public Sector Fraud Authority".

"Powers include entry, search and seizure powers when there is a reasonable suspicion of fraud, the reasonable use of force in the exercise of those powers (DWP only) and a power to demand financial information from banks about benefits recipients' accounts, even when there is no suspicion of wrongdoing."

The pandemic witnessed a substantial rise in fraudulent activity.

The DWP stated previously: "We prioritised getting money to millions of people who needed it as part of our emergency response. Regrettably, as we saw across government and internationally, some individuals and groups - both organised and opportunistic - sought to exploit the situation and the accelerated processes for accessing help that were temporarily in place."

According to Government guidelines, benefit fraud occurs when you deliberately claim benefits to which you are not entitled.

This could involve failing to report changes in your circumstances or supplying false information. If you are suspected of fraud, the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC), the Defence Business Services or your local authority will contact you.

Your benefit may be halted while an investigation is underway.

You'll receive a letter notifying you if this occurs. Fraud Investigation Officers (FIOs) may visit you or request that you attend an interview to discuss your claim - this is known as an 'interview under caution'.

FIOs will collect information about your case and determine whether further action is necessary.

Your benefits can be reduced or stopped for up to three years if you're found guilty of benefit fraud.

The duration they're stopped for depends on how many times you've committed fraud.

Only certain benefits can be reduced or stopped. These are referred to as 'sanctionable benefits'.

However, if you commit fraud on a benefit that cannot be reduced or stopped, your other benefits can be reduced instead.