Housing and Council Tax Benefits
Reporting a Fraud
Fareham Borough Council reviews all benefit claims regularly and verifies all new claims to ensure that the potential for benefit fraud is minimised.
Some examples of benefit fraud are:
- couples living together, but claiming that they live apart
- claimants failing to disclose income or savings
- claimants claiming benefit for a property where there are not living.
Our dedicated investigation team tackles benefit fraud by investigating referrals, implementing fraud initiatives in known high risk areas of benefit fraud and matching Council Benefit records against the Department for Work and Pensions records to identify discrepancies.
We have developed an Anti-Fraud Policy which is adhered to when we suspect and investigate fraud. This policy states that we will impose an appropriate penalty which could include prosecution, where fraud abuse is found.
If you are aware or suspect that a benefit fraud is being carried out, please contact us. The confidential telephone number of our Investigations Team is 01329 824667. Please leave a message if there is no-one available to speak to you. Alternatively, you can report a fraud by using our on line form or e-mailing us at investigations@fareham.gov.uk.
If you suspect a person of falsely claiming another benefit, such as disability benefit, please call the National Fraud Hot Line on 0800 854 440 or visit their website at www.dwp.gov.uk/campaigns/benefit-thieves (this is an external hyperlink).
We will treat your information with the utmost confidentiality. Although we would prefer to have your details so that we can follow up any information that you give us, this is not essential. Many anonymous tip-offs have resulted in successful prosecutions.
The information that we need is:
- The name (if known) of the person or persons that you are reporting
- The address at which the alleged fraud may be taking place
- Why you suspect that a fraud is taking place, and any other information that would help us to make enquiries.
|.
|.
