Reporting fraud

It is very likely that you will be aware of information which could lead to the detection of fraud. It is even possible that you know someone who is claiming benefit they are not entitled to.

Please do not forget :

• It is your money that is being stolen by fraudsters
• Fraudsters are taking money that would be spent on those genuinely in need
• You can help to increase the likelihood of fraud being detected at the earliest opportunity

We cannot detect fraud effectively without your help, you are the person best placed to identify potentially fraudulent activity.

Many pensioners do not take up the benefits they are entitled to.

The Government would have another billion pounds to spend on pensioners and others that need assistance if together we cracked fraud.

What we need from you

Please provide as much information as you can about the person and why you think they are committing benefit fraud. The more information you provide the better. The law says that we must have good reason to investigate a person. For example:

Example 1
Miss X has a partner living with her.

Example 2
Miss Y has a partner living with her, he leaves the house everyday at about 7.30am in oily overalls and returns at approx 5.30pm. He drives an old red Ford Escort.

We would not be able to investigate the first example, as it does not give enough grounds for an investigation. It does not tell us why you think that the person is committing fraud.

We would probably be able to investigate the second example, as it does say why you think the person is committing fraud.

What we do with your report

The key issue regarding catching fraudsters is quality of information.

Remember our investigations can take some time and it is not always easy to see what action we are taking. The law says we have to keep information about people confidential, so we cannot give progress reports to the person who reported the possible fraud.

If you suspect someone of committing benefit fraud, bear in mind that they may be legitimately working and receiving benefit. There are times when people can get benefit and work.

When we receive a report of benefit fraud, we check the person’s benefit claim. We may discover that the person has already declared the work to us, that the work is unpaid or that they are getting a benefit that is not affected by work.

On referral, a decision whether to investigate will be made by the Compliance Manager of the Dorset Anti-Fraud Partnership (DAFP). If a decision is made to investigate, they will gather information from various places, for example utility companies, banks and building societies, to support the allegation. The DAFP will then aim to establish the facts and take action if appropriate. This may include withdrawal of benefits or prosecution or other sanctions.

Reporting fraud to the hotline

People claiming benefits fraudulently are taking money from those people who are in genuine need, and from every tax payer in this country.

As well as referrals internally from benefits officers, the public are a vital source of information for the Fraud Case Management Officer.

If you know of, or suspect someone of claiming benefits which they are not entitled to, please advise the benefits office. You can do this easily and in total confidence by writing to the benefits office or by calling the 'Fraud Hotline' which has been set up within the Benefits Office.

By ringing a dedicated number, which is 01258 484191, members of the public can pass on information with regard to people that they think are defrauding the benefits system.

This number is manned during normal office hours but is also available outside of office hours in the form of an answer phone. All information is treated in the strictest confidence and as much detail as possible should be given.

Joint Working/Liason with the Department for Work & Pensions

The Dorset Anti Fraud Partnership work closely with their opposite numbers in the Department for Work & Pensions as a lot of allegations involve both Housing and/or Council Tax Benefit and Social Security administered benefits, particularly Income Support and Income Based Job Seekers Allowance. The exchange of information between the Offices is very important when carrying out enquiries. A joint exercise can very often have positive results that individual investigations would not.

National Benefit Fraud Hotline

As well as contacting The Council's Benefit office Fraud Hotline you can also report a fraud via the National Benefit Fraud Hotline, which you may have seen advertised on television, on 0800 854 440, lines are open 7am to 11pm, 7 days a week.

Government Advertising Campaign

Every year the DWP estimate that benefit cheats cost around £1 billion in stolen benefits. They are taking public money 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 Department for Work and Pensions is taking positive action to:

• emphasise that benefit fraud is a serious problem and will not be tolerated
• make it harder to commit benefit fraud
• detect more benefit fraud
• stop those who might be thinking of committing benefit fraud, and
• encourage people to report those who are committing benefit fraud.

For further information on the Governments 'Targeting Fraud' campaign you can visit the 'Targeting Benefit Thieves' website at www.targetingfraud.gov.uk . You can also report a suspected fraud online from the 'Targeting Fraud' website by filling in a secure & confidential online form. If you wish to do this please click this link - Report a Benefit Cheat Online.

Please note Targeting Benefit Fraud's website is not part of North Dorset District Council's website and North Dorset District Council can accept no responsibility for information supplied on the Targeting Benefit Fraud website.

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