Benefit fraud

We aim:

• To make fraud harder to commit

• To detect and catch more fraudsters

• To tell people that benefit fraud is not acceptable

• To encourage people to report those committing fraud
  

It's your money that is being stolen. The government estimates that £600 million is lost through housing and council tax benefit fraud each year and this money could be put to better use providing better services for us all. Everyone is a victim of benefit fraud.

What do we do?

Protect public funds against fraud. We will investigate any abuse of the benefit system and take action.

Investigations

• The benefits investigation unit investigates cases referred by benefits service and local housing offices or by the general public.

• We also value the calls received from members of the public on the call centre.

• The benefits investigation unit takes an active stance against fraud and abuse, carrying out comprehensive enquiries, interviewing claimants and prosecuting offenders.

Sanctions

There are a number of sanctions available to impose on a claimant who is suspected of committing a benefit offence.

Recovery Action

In some cases an investigation may uncover an overpayment but it is not appropriate to take criminal action, however the overpayment will be recovered in full.

Administrative Penalty

This is offered as an alternative to prosecution in cases where an investigation has been undertaken and the city council believes that sufficient evidence has been gathered to suggest an offence has been committed. The overpayment in addition to a fine, valued at 30 per cent of the recoverable overpayment, must be repaid to the council. In accepting the penalty the suspect is not admitting that he or she has committed an offence but if they refuse the administration penalty, they may be prosecuted.

Local Authority Caution

These are similar to a police caution and can also be offered as an alternative to prosecution. Before a caution can be issued the suspect must have been 'interviewed under caution' and they must have admitted that they have committed an offence. The local authority caution does not give the suspect a criminal record but it can be cited in court should they subsequently be convicted of a benefit offence.

Prosecution

In cases where serious benefit fraud is suspected, the city council will consider prosecution. These cases are normally heard in a magistrate's court but the more serious cases may be dealt with in a crown court.

Performance information

What can you do?

If you think you know of someone that is claiming housing benefit or council tax benefit or both when they shouldn’t, you can report them by contacting benefits services on 023 8083 3006 or the national benefit fraud hotline, 0800 854 440. You can also fax information across; the fax number 023 8083 4426.

Alternatively, you can make a report via the online BIU referral form. You do not have to give us your name and you will not be contacted unless you wish us to do so.