Who commits benefit fraud
Benefit fraud can be committed by anyone from an opportunist
fraudster who doesn't notify a change of job to highly organized
gangs systematically ripping off the benefits system. There are no
stereotypes when it comes to claiming benefit fraudulently.
Why do you bother fighting benefit fraud?
We have a duty to safeguard public funds. We want to encourage
honesty and ensure people who are genuine get their full
entitlement to benefits.
Isn't benefit fraud a 'victimless' crime?
No. We are all victims of benefit fraud. Benefit cheats are
stealing money from people who need it and they are stealing from
every taxpayer in the country.
Because I claim benefit will I be classed as a cheat?
No. We know that most people who claim benefit are honest and we
want to encourage you to claim all the benefits you are legally
entitled to.
We know that sometimes people claiming benefits make genuine
mistakes when they apply. Unless there is strong evidence of fraud
we will give you the benefit of the doubt. But we have a
responsibility to check claims thoroughly to prevent fraud taking
place. This may mean that we have to visit you or write to you to
check the details you have provided.
If I report a benefit cheat will I see an immediate
result?
Because we have to make sure of our facts before we take any
action, investigations can take some time to complete. The law says
we have to keep information about people claiming benefit
confidential so we cannot give you progress reports on a possible
fraud.
How can I report someone I suspect of benefit fraud?
You can report a Benefit Cheat by filling in the online form:
Report a Benefit Cheat
We have a free phone fraud hotline 0800 783 3878. You can talk
to a member of staff between 08:30 and 16:00 Monday to Friday. If
you ring outside these hours you can leave a message on our 24 Hour
answer phone. The service is strictly confidential and you do not
have to give your name.
What happens to fraudsters who get caught?
We have a Sanctions Policy which is referred to when and if it
can be proved that someone has been claiming fraudulently.
Fraudsters may be prosecuted.
During 2007 – 2008 our fraud investigators successfully
prosecuted six cases where claims had been made fraudulently. Some
of the offenders received custodial sentences.
Offences included:
- a man who failed to declare a bank account where he held more
than £90,000
- a number of cases where customers failed to report starting
work
- a number of cases where customers failed to declare receipt of
Tax Credits
- a number of cases where single claimants had failed to report
they had a partner living with them