Benefits - fraud investigation
The Counter-Fraud Section deals with allegations of Housing
Benefit and Council Tax Benefit/Local Support for Council Tax Fraud
in accordance with the Council’s published Counter-Fraud Strategy
and Prosecutions Policy.
Every year benefit cheats cost an estimated £2 billion in
stolen benefits from Local Authorities and the Department
for Work and Pensions. The cheats are taking public money away
from people who really need it. The total cost of this fraud is
equivalent to £80 a year from each family in Great Britain.
The Council dealt with 279 investigations in 2010/2011
and £178,455 in fraudulent overpayments was detected. These
overpayments will have to be paid back to the
Council.
The Counter-Fraud Section adopts a ‘zero-tolerance’ approach
to Counter-fraud Activity.
All information received is treated in the strictest
confidence.
Anonymous referrals are always
investigated.
Fraud Hotline: 0800 0568154
Anonymous Benefit Fraud Referral Form