Benefit Fraud
What is Benefit Fraud?
Benefit fraud is where people claim Housing and Council Tax Benefit
and/or Social Security Benefits but have no right to claim
it.
The Council is keen to make prompt payments of Housing and Council
Tax benefit to genuine claimants, but we are equally keen to stamp
out benefit fraud. There is a Fraud Section that is
responsible for detection and investigation of fraudulent
claims.
The Council has adopted a strategy of dealing with Theft, Fraud and
Corruption and a prosecution policy.
What types of fraud are there?
Typical examples of benefit fraud
are:
- People who work but do not declare this when they claim
benefit.
- People who claim as a single person but actually live with a
partner.
- People who claim from an address but do not live there.
- People who do not tell us the full amount of income, savings or
capital when they claim benefit.
- People who for any reason do not have any right to claim
Housing Benefit or Council Tax benefit.
Does the Fraud Section have access to other organisations?
The Investigation team has access to various
anti-fraud organisations such as:
Local Authority Investigation Officers Group
(LAIOG)
Approximately approximately 400 Local Authorities subscribe to the
Local Authority Investigations Officers Group across England,
Scotland and Wales. The group aims to provide its members with
access to information from Parliamentary sources, the Department of
Work and Pensions, Data Protection and the Benefit Fraud
Inspectorate, which is relative to their fraud enquiries.
Visit LAIOG website
National Anti Fraud Network (NAFN)
The aim of
the network is to make available a national intelligence service to
assist in deterring, detecting and preventing fraud. It also aims
to provide a regular source of intelligence and focal points for
Local Authorities on a wide range of fraud related matters.
Visit NAFN website
How can I report suspected benefit fraud?
If you suspect someone is committing fraud
against Wyre Forest District Council, please
complete our online report form.
Alternatively you can ring the Benefit Fraud Hotline Service
Telephone 01562 732658 and all calls are treated in absolute
confidence. The provision of as much information as possible would
be appreciated.
Examples of information we will need to
investigate fraud include:
- Name and address
- Type of fraud
- If working, do you know who they work for?
- What time of day does the person leave for work?
- Do they have a company car/van?