UK DWP rolls out new debt recovery powers; EE alerts phishing scam

The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has begun enforcing new powers under the Public Authorities (Fraud, Error and Recovery) Act 2025. The rules let the DWP take money directly from a debtor's bank account without a court order and, in serious cases, seek a court‑imposed driving ban for debts of £1,000 or more. Claimants have four months from the notice to contact the agency and arrange repayment, with the government aiming to save billions of pounds over five years.

Separately, EE Limited warned its customers about a fraudulent email claiming an outstanding balance of £4.27. The phishing message directs recipients to a fake EE website to harvest personal and financial data. EE and Norfolk Trading Standards advise users not to click links, to verify communications via official channels, and to report suspicious emails to the appropriate authorities.