Benefits - Fraud Investigation
Benefit FraudBenefit fraud is a criminal offence that occurs when a claimant knowingly or dishonestly gets more benefit than they are entitled to. During 2004/05, Benefit thieves stole around £900 million from the Department for Work and Pensions and Local Government.
Benefit theft includes:-
- Not telling us about a change of circumstances they know will affect their benefit entitlement, e.g. not telling us about a partner living with them, children who have left home, started work, etc.
- Giving false information when applying for benefit
- Withholding information from their claim, e.g. undeclared wages, savings, pensions, etc.
Types of benefit fraud
- People who are working but do not declare this when they claim benefit
- People who make a claim as a single person, but actually have a partner living with them
- People who claim for 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
Blaenau Gwent County Borough Council has a team of specialised, professionally trained fraud investigators who deal specifically with benefit related matters and other areas of fraud within the Authority.
The team carry out investigations to criminal prosecution standards and work in partnership with the Department for Work and Pensions where necessary. The team aim to discourage fraud and ensure that it is as difficult as possible to commit fraud and they actively pursue penalties in line with the Council's Prosecution Policy.
People suspected of Benefit theft face:-
- having to pay all the money back
- a taped interview under caution
- prosecution
- a fine
- community service
HOW TO REPORT A FRAUD
If you suspect that someone is claiming benefit when they are not entitled, please call in confidence on
FREEPHONE
0800 587 3139
(24 hour line)
