A 'job agency' wants me to let them manage my benefits account log-in while I look for work - is that okay?
No - never hand over your benefits account username and password to any third party, including a job agency, even one working alongside a genuine welfare-to-work program.
Last reviewed: 5 July 2026
Explanation
Some scams target people navigating employment support or welfare-to-work programs, where a third party posing as a job coach, recruiter, or 'employment partner' asks for direct access to your online benefits account, claiming it will let them 'update your job search log' or 'apply for extra support' on your behalf. Once they have your login, they can change your bank details to redirect payments, alter your claim information, or make fraudulent declarations in your name that you become responsible for.
Genuine employment support programs work alongside your claim using their own case management systems and do not need your personal login credentials to the government's benefits portal - any legitimate coordination between a job program and a benefits agency happens through official data-sharing agreements between the organizations, not by an individual coach logging into your personal account.
If a job agency, career coach, or anyone else asks for your benefits account password, decline and instead ask them what specific information they need, then provide only printouts or screenshots of the relevant page rather than live account access.
Common red flags
- Asks for your benefits account username and password directly
- Claims they need to 'update your account' or 'log your job search' on your behalf
- Not a recognized, contracted partner of the official benefits agency
- Pressures you to share credentials quickly to avoid losing support
- Wants ongoing access rather than a one-time verification
- Discourages you from asking the benefits agency to confirm the arrangement
What to do now
- Never share your benefits account username or password with any third party
- Ask exactly what information is needed and provide only screenshots or printouts instead
- Verify with the benefits agency directly whether the job program is an official contracted partner
- Check your benefits account regularly for unauthorized changes to your bank details or claim information
- Change your password immediately if you already shared it
- Report the request to the benefits agency's fraud line if it seems suspicious
Frequently asked questions
Do legitimate welfare-to-work programs ever need my login?
No - legitimate programs coordinate with the benefits agency through official channels and do not need your personal account credentials.
What should I do if I already shared my password?
Change it immediately, review your account for any unauthorized changes to bank details, and report the incident to the agency.