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Benefits - Fraud Investigations FAQ's

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Last revised: 31 October 2008

What is benefit fraud?
Benefit fraud is where people claim Housing and Council Tax benefit and/or Social Security Benefits but have no right to claim it.

Kennet is keen to make prompt payments of Housing and Council Tax benefit to genuine claimants, but we are equally keen to stamp out benefit fraud. There is an active Investigation Team that is responsible for detection and investigation of fraudulent claims. The team is aided by the benefits Assessment team who report any suspicious benefit claims.

Blatant benefit cheats are prosecuted.

What types of fraud are there?
Typical examples of benefit fraud are:

  • People who work but do not declare this income when they claim benefit

  • People who claim as a single person but actually live with a partner

  • People who claim from an address but do not live there

  • People who do not tell us the full amount of their income, savings or capital when they claim benefit

  • People who for any reason do not have any right to claim Housing Benefit or Council tax benefit.

What will the council do about fraud?
The council will rigorously investigate any suspected cases of benefit fraud.

We will work closely with other agencies such as the Department of Work and Pensions, the police and Inland Revenue.

We will prosecute people found to be proven of certain types of fraud, where the offence is serious or where a deterrent effect is required.

Not all benefit fraud (if proven) results in prosecution. When fraud is identified many cases are resolved by stopping the abuse, and recovering the overpaid benefit.

How can I report fraud?

You can report fraud anonymously on-line on this website. Click on 'Report a fraud form' link on this page. Alternatively call into our offices or phone the council on 01380 724911

Any information given will be treated in the strictest confidence. You can remain anonymous. If you decide to report a fraud, please give as much information as possible.

Examples of information we need to investigate a fraud include -

  • Name and address

  • What do they look like?

  • What type of fraud?

  • If they are working, do you know who they work for? What time of day does the person leave and return from work?

  • If you suspect someone is claiming as a single person when they live with a partner, we need details of the alleged partner - name, description, employer etc