Benefit fraud

What is Benefit Fraud?

When people:

knowingly withhold information
give false information
deliberately fail to report a change in circumstances

they are committing benefit fraud. Benefit fraud is theft and people who commit benefit fraud are breaking the law.

Benefit fraud costs you money!

Benefit fraud costs the average taxpayer £70 a year. Nationally, this is in excess of £1.5 billion. The Council has a duty to ensure that benefit payments are made only to those entitled to receive them.

The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) is responsible for investigating Housing Benefit Fraud.

The penalties for benefit fraud can be severe and include fines and imprisonment. Any overpaid benefit will need to be repaid.

Fighting benefit fraud is everyone's responsibility. Local communities often know who these people are. You can provide information about anyone who you think is cheating the benefit system.

Examples of fraud include:

not telling us about work you are doing
not telling us about changes in your savings
not telling us when your partner moves in
not telling us about other changes in your income or household
landlord fraud, for example, if a landlord fails to tell us their tenant has moved out

Can I report a fraud anonymously?

Yes you can.

Ready to report?

By telephone

Contact the National Benefit Fraud Hotline on 0800 854 440. Your call is free and confidential you do not have to give your name or address. Lines are open Monday to Friday 8.00am to 6.00pm.

If you have speech or hearing problems you can use a text phone service on 0800 328 0512 or Welsh speakers can call or 0800 678 3722.