Benefit Fraud

Benefit fraud costs the average tax-payer £70 a year. Nationally, this is in excess of £1.5 billion. You wouldn't want anyone to steal from you: well, benefit fraud is theft!

Please help us to stop the benefit cheats and to make sure that benefits go to those who are genuinely entitled to them.

If you know or suspect someone of obtaining Housing Benefit or Council Tax Benefit fraudulently, please complete our online form to report them:

• Benefit Fraud online reporting form.

Ipswich Borough Council's Anti-Fraud Unit

Ipswich Borough Council's Anti-Fraud Unit was established in 1990 in order to investigate claims for Housing and Council Tax Benefit where it was suspected that the incorrect or untruthful information was submitted on a claim form in order to obtain benefit unlawfully.

The unit employs investigators from varying backgrounds and are PiNS (Professionalism in National Security) accredited. The Investigating Officers are skilled in:

• Performing surveillance;
• Intelligence gathering;
• Statement taking;
• Undertaking taped Interviews Under Caution.

All of the above are carried out in relation to suspected offenders, in accordance with the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984.

The Council uses its own in-house solicitors to prosecute cases through the courts where it is believed that an offence might have been committed. The Council also issues formal cautions and administrative penalties in lieu of legal proceedings.

The Anti-Fraud Unit works closely with officers from the Department of Work & Pensions (formerly the Benefits Agency) and other government agencies such as Inland Revenue, Customs and Excise and the Police.