Housing and Council Tax Benefits

Reporting a Fraud

Fareham Borough Council continually reviews benefit claims through data matching exercises and risk based reviews 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 they are not living
• claimants failing to promptly notify the Benefits section of a change in their circumstances

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 the Benefits Investigation section.  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 use our report a fraud on line form or email us at investigations@fareham.gov.uk.

If you suspect a person of falsely claiming another benefit, such as a disability benefit, please call the National Fraud Hotline on 0800 854 440 or visit Directgov.

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 or other appropriate penalties.

Examples of information that we need is:

• The name (if known) of the person or persons that you are reporting
• A detailed description (if known) of the person or persons 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, such as an employer, car details such as the model and car registration details etc