Australian Aged Pension

[keithpa]

Instead of 136 pages containing thousands of questions about the OAP, all that was necessary was to google centrelink   gov au.

[halloween]

On 1/22/2018 at 5:10 PM, Gregster said:

Just wondering if anyone knows if Centrelink looks for overseas bank accounts of OAP applicants, especially if an applicant has had many recent, lengthy “holidays” in a particular country?

They will certainly ask, and if the find you have given an inaccurate response there will be consequences. They do look at your reported accounts, so if you have made transfers, the o/s account will be discoverable.

Under the KISS principle, I have so far avoided o/s accounts, but looking into Currencies Direct and other tx companies. This gives you a 3rd party in middle of transfer that would prevent (???) tracing, and the rates per transfer are better. I have also transferred into a trusted 3rd party account (step daughter), which also gives me a valid reason, if asked, for transfer.

[Nemises]

They will certainly ask, and if the find you have given an inaccurate response there will be consequences. They do look at your reported accounts, so if you have made transfers, the o/s account will be discoverable.
Under the KISS principle, I have so far avoided o/s accounts, but looking into Currencies Direct and other tx companies. This gives you a 3rd party in middle of transfer that would prevent (???) tracing, and the rates per transfer are better. I have also transferred into a trusted 3rd party account (step daughter), which also gives me a valid reason, if asked, for transfer.

Thanks halloween, much appreciated. I hope all goes with the tx companies. Am very interested, so it’d be great to hear back from you on how it went...

[keithpa]

16 hours ago, halloween said:

They will certainly ask, and if the find you have given an inaccurate response there will be consequences. They do look at your reported accounts, so if you have made transfers, the o/s account will be discoverable.

Under the KISS principle, I have so far avoided o/s accounts, but looking into Currencies Direct and other tx companies. This gives you a 3rd party in middle of transfer that would prevent (???) tracing, and the rates per transfer are better. I have also transferred into a trusted 3rd party account (step daughter), which also gives me a valid reason, if asked, for transfer.

Rubbish. In 15 years, I have never been asked. Not saying they never will but "They will certainly ask" is rubbish.

[halloween]

7 hours ago, keithpa said:

Rubbish. In 15 years, I have never been asked. Not saying they never will but "They will certainly ask" is rubbish.

I am currently applying for OAP. The application form asks for ALL your bank a/c details. Is that not "asking"?

[keithpa]

6 hours ago, halloween said:

I am currently applying for OAP. The application form asks for ALL your bank a/c details. Is that not "asking"?

OK then, the question was " Just wondering if anyone knows if Centrelink looks for overseas bank accounts of OAP applicants, ".   "Looks for, not asks". You should read more carefully before you mock. Tell ya what to do, today, go and draw out all your money, close account. Next day, tell Ctrl. the truth, no foreign band accounts. Day after, open bank account, deposit your money. Normally I would charge for my assistance and advice, but, I give this for free.

[steven100]

6 minutes ago, keithpa said:

OK then, the question was " Just wondering if anyone knows if Centrelink looks for overseas bank accounts of OAP applicants, ".   "Looks for, not asks". You should read more carefully before you mock. Tell ya what to do, today, go and draw out all your money, close account. Next day, tell Ctrl. the truth, no foreign band accounts. Day after, open bank account, deposit your money. Normally I would charge for my assistance and advice, but, I give this for free.

yes, they have access to check if the person has any overseas bank accounts.

[giddyup]

Just now, steven100 said:

yes, they have access to check if the person has any overseas bank accounts.

How would they know where to look? If you opened an account in the Outer Hebrides would they know?

[steven100]

5 minutes ago, giddyup said:

How would they know where to look? If you opened an account in the Outer Hebrides would they know?

several ways, but mostly by data matching / data cross reference.

 

[toughlove]

several ways, but mostly by data matching / data cross reference.
 

They don't have access. There is no data matching in Thailand, Australia of course has matching.

[Nemises]

I just found this article on yourlifechoices.com.au

 

——————————

 

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. There are many anecdotal stories on whether Centrelink can and does check bank accounts and the upshot is that 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. This information will be sent in an encrypted form to specialised staff, who will review them.

 

Centrelink does not have the ability to remove funds from your account; however, it does have several means by which it can recoup overpayments.

 

————————

 

Ends//

 

[giddyup]

8 minutes ago, steven100 said:

several ways, but mostly by data matching / data cross reference.

 

So they just enter your name and the results show every bank account you have even if it's in the Canary Islands? Hard to believe.

[toughlove]

I just found this article on yourlifechoices.com.au
 
——————————
 
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. There are many anecdotal stories on whether Centrelink can and does check bank accounts and the upshot is that 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. This information will be sent in an encrypted form to specialised staff, who will review them.
 
Centrelink does not have the ability to remove funds from your account; however, it does have several means by which it can recoup overpayments.
 
————————
 
Ends//
 

This is for oz only.

[Will27]

Gents, I know it pays to be careful when dealing with government agencies, especially ones like the

ATO and Centrelink, but there is some really over the top opinions on here.

 

People going incognito, getting cars with dark tinted windows etc.

Again, it pays to be careful, but we aren't dealing with Interpol.

[Nemises]

This is for oz only.

Yes I know. But if the above is true ie Centrelink does NOT have the power to check individual’s AUSTRALIAN bank accounts, how could it possibly have the power to check individual’s OVERSEAS bank accounts?????

[BEVUP]

I think the only way would be if they looked into your activity concerning your oz account 

 

? how far are they prepared to look back as some of us transfer money to our abroad account to survive or topping up for the Extension requirements 

 

[toughlove]

Yes I know. But if the above is true ie Centrelink does NOT have the power to check individual’s AUSTRALIAN bank accounts, how could it possibly have the power to check individual’s OVERSEAS bank accounts?????

I agree

[toughlove]

One of the reasons centerlink doesn't like portability is you could open beer bars etc and they have no control over it.

[giddyup]

3 minutes ago, toughlove said:

One of the reasons centerlink doesn't like portability is you could open beer bars etc and they have no control over it.

You could work for cash in hand in Australia and they don't have any control over that either.

[Nemises]

I think the only way would be if they looked into your activity concerning your oz account 

 

? how far are they prepared to look back as some of us transfer money to our abroad account to survive or topping up for the Extension requirements 

 

 

When Centrelink check your oz bank account, they will see transfers to your Thai bank account for topping up extension requirements/survival abroad etc. Therefore maybe close that particular Thai bank account before applying for the OAP and open a new Thai bank account after obtaining portability?

 

[SplitInfinitive]

Centrelink would only take action to find an overseas account if their attention was drawn to someone, information received for example, or by putting personal information in a public forum.

I wouldn't imaging that one or two of the people posting here would be too difficult for them to track down. 

[toughlove]

You could work for cash in hand in Australia and they don't have any control over that either.

Unless somebody reports you. They have a dobbers tip line. And yes they will follow through.

I have heard for major fraud they will even go overseas to investigate but I can't confirm it for sure

[Lizard2010]

41 minutes ago, Gregster said:

Yes I know. But if the above is true ie Centrelink does NOT have the power to check individual’s AUSTRALIAN bank accounts, how could it possibly have the power to check individual’s OVERSEAS bank accounts?????

If my memory serves me right

When i was first signed up into the centrelink system

I had to sign that they could check everything about me

At the moment Centrelink Immigration  Taxation and Medicare  Are all linked to Centrlink

My bank closed  its local baranch

I notified centrlink this

They said they already knew

 

Dont think that you can hide t much from them

Its only the bad ones that make it hard for us good people

 

[Lizard2010]

1 hour ago, keithpa said:

OK then, the question was " Just wondering if anyone knows if Centrelink looks for overseas bank accounts of OAP applicants, ".   "Looks for, not asks". You should read more carefully before you mock. Tell ya what to do, today, go and draw out all your money, close account. Next day, tell Ctrl. the truth, no foreign band accounts. Day after, open bank account, deposit your money. Normally I would charge for my assistance and advice, but, I give this for free.

I have heard that people living overseas have had there overseas bank accounts questioned

How Centrelink knew

No one knows

So if you are honest we dont have anything to worry about

IMHO

 

[toughlove]

If my memory serves me right
When i was first signed up into the centrelink system
I had to sign that they could check everything about me
At the moment Centrelink Immigration  Taxation and Medicare  Are all linked to Centrlink
My bank closed  its local baranch
I notified centrlink this
They said they already knew
 
Dont think that you can hide t much from them
Its only the bad ones that make it hard for us good people
 

That's the thing. If they call you in for a review in oz they WILL ask you for bank statements to the account you registered.

Also the centerlink war room which kind of looks like nasa will track credit card purchases so if you start buying up big ticket items you can be flagged

[halloween]

2 hours ago, keithpa said:

OK then, the question was " Just wondering if anyone knows if Centrelink looks for overseas bank accounts of OAP applicants, ".   "Looks for, not asks". You should read more carefully before you mock. Tell ya what to do, today, go and draw out all your money, close account. Next day, tell Ctrl. the truth, no foreign band accounts. Day after, open bank account, deposit your money. Normally I would charge for my assistance and advice, but, I give this for free.

Even free, your advice is well overpriced. The application process can take months - I have applied the max 13 weeks early to gain approval before the due date. IF they ask to view bank statements of reported accounts and find transfers to an offshore account, they WILL ask about it, and informing them you closed it before applying will only cause suspicion.

CL is not only interested in residence, as the OAP is also asset limited. Any suspicion of asset concealment and false reporting will lead to closer scrutiny and reviews where they will require production of evidence.

[toughlove]

Even free, your advice is well overpriced. The application process can take months - I have applied the max 13 weeks early to gain approval before the due date. IF they ask to view bank statements of reported accounts and find transfers to an offshore account, they WILL ask about it, and informing them you closed it before applying will only cause suspicion.
CL is not only interested in residence, as the OAP is also asset limited. Any suspicion of asset concealment and false reporting will lead to closer scrutiny and reviews where they will require production of evidence.

Just open a second account. They will only know about the account your pension goes into.

I have a declared condo here but if I sold it they wouldn't know. If I was married they would know either

[halloween]

7 minutes ago, toughlove said:

Just open a second account. They will only know about the account your pension goes into.

I have a declared condo here but if I sold it they wouldn't know. If I was married they would know either

Why? A second account in Oz would have any interest paid reported to ATO and would show up on CL data. As I am not having my OAP paid offshore, what would the benefit be of a second account?

BTW if you sold your condo, your address would change. Do you think there would be no interest in possible rental income, or are you prepared to start a web of deceit for little gain?

[steven100]

2 hours ago, giddyup said:

So they just enter your name and the results show every bank account you have even if it's in the Canary Islands? Hard to believe.

i think there is a bit more to it than that. not just your name.

[toughlove]

Why? A second account in Oz would have any interest paid reported to ATO and would show up on CL data. As I am not having my OAP paid offshore, what would the benefit be of a second account?

BTW if you sold your condo, your address would change. Do you think there would be no interest in possible rental income, or are you prepared to start a web of deceit for little gain?

 

I'm Taking about thailand not oz