Starting an Investigation
We look at every report we receive and decide if there is enough information to commence an investigation.
Unfortunately we cannot comment on cases under investigation. So, if you report someone, we will not be able to update you on how the investigation is proceeding. Please be aware that even if you do not see anything being done, it does not mean we are not doing anything.
Once a referral is accepted for investigation, an officer will investigate the case fairly, and in accordance with the law. We ensure that the appropriate action is taken to stop Fraud where it is found.
What happens when Fraud is proven?
If we obtain proof that Fraud has been committed, we can sanction an individual
Sanctions can take the form of Cautions, Administrative Penalties or Prosecution.
- Caution - A caution is a warning, similar to a police caution. We may caution an individual as an alternative to Prosecution, when the person has been formally interviewed by our fully trained Fraud Officers and has admitted the offence.
- Administration Penalty - An Administration Penalty is paying back the falsely claimed Benefit, plus 30% of that amount. Anyone offered an Administration Penalty has the right to refuse.
- Prosecution - Prosecution may happen to the more serious cases of suspected Fraud.
In all cases, we will try to recover the total amount of overpaid Benefit.
How do we recover the Fraudulent Overpayment?
We can use several methods to recover overpayments, including:
- Deducting a set amount, each week, from a person's Housing Benefit;
- Reducing the amount paid to a Landlord, or Agent;
- Deducting from Housing Benefit due to be paid to a Claimant for a past period;
- Deducting from some Department of Work and Pensions Benefits;
- Issuing an invoice;
- If the Overpayment is for Council Tax Benefit, the amount of overpayment is added to the Council Tax Bill.
Benefit Fraud is a crime. We are determined to make sure that only people who are entitled to Benefit actually receive it.
We have a legal responsibility to protect public money from misuse. The single largest abuse of public funds is Benefit Fraud. Benefit Fraud happens when someone knowingly makes a false claim for Benefit, or when someone receiving Benefit fails to report any change of circumstances.
