The loss and harm caused by fraud in the public sector is very significant. The National Fraud Authority Annual Fraud Indicator 2013 showed an estimated annual loss of £2.1 billion to fraud in local government. More recently, the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy (CIPFA) has estimated that for local authorities in the UK, the total value of fraud identified and prevented in 2019-20 is £239.4 million.

Ipswich Borough Council has a duty to safeguard public funds and operates a zero tolerance policy towards fraud and corruption. The Corporate Fraud Team undertakes dedicated fraud prevention, detection, investigation and intelligence gathering activities.

In cases where fraud is found, the Council seeks to take appropriate action against the fraudster where an offence is committed.

Tenancy Fraud

What is tenancy fraud?

• Unauthorised sub-letting (a tenant claims to live at a property but sub-lets all or part without the landlord's consent).
• Non-occupation (a tenant claims property as their principal home but lives elsewhere).
• Using false information to obtain a tenancy.
• Key selling (a tenant leaves a property and passes the keys on in return for a favour or payment).
• Unauthorised exchange and assignment (a tenant gives the tenancy to a partner or family member who lived in the property with them without obtaining the landlord's permission).
• Wrongly claimed succession (the occupier is not a person entitled to succeed after a tenant's death or after they have vacated the property and/or succession rights have been exhausted).

If you suspect tenancy fraud please contact the Council, providing details and the reasons you suspect fraudulent occupation. Your identity will be kept confidential. Call us or report online via the pink button.

Non-tenancy Fraud

Non-Tenancy Fraud covers fraud relating to other Council services such as: Business Rates, Council Tax Reduction, Council Tax Single Person Discount, Insurance, Licensing, Procurement, Grants etc.

If you suspect non-tenancy fraud please contact the Council, providing details and the reasons you suspect fraudulent activity. Your identity will be kept confidential. Call us or report online via the pink button.

Benefit Fraud

The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) investigates housing benefit fraud. If you report is only about housing benefit fraud you should report it online at www.gov.uk/report-benefit-fraud

Whistleblowing Policy

Whistleblowing is a way for employees and other Council workers (including staff working in partnership with the Council), to raise a genuine concern.

Our whistleblowing policy is available to download as a PDF:

Ipswich Borough Council - Whistleblowing Policy - October 2020