Benefits - fraud investigation

We are committed to preventing, detecting and investigating housing benefit fraud in Derby.

There is a dedicated team of fully trained and accredited counter fraud professionals and support staff working to protect the public purse in Derby.

What is benefit fraud?

Benefit fraud is a criminal offence which may involve deliberately failing to report a change in circumstances such as:

• starting work
• a partner joining the household
• other people living in the property but not declared
• leaving the property but continuing to claim.

It can also include providing false information such as:

• not declaring the full amount of income, capital, savings and investments
• false tenancy to claim rent
• fictitious wages information.

In addition, any person can be guilty of an offence if they knowingly allow another to commit benefit fraud.

As well as the person claiming benefit, anyone suspected of involvement in a benefit fraud such as employers and landlords will be investigated.

What if benefit fraud is proven?

All cases of benefit fraud are taken seriously and can result in:

• recovery of all overpaid benefit
• sanctions being applied, including loss of future benefits where appropriate
• prosecution of serious offenders
• the Proceeds of Crime Act being used to strip offenders of any assets gained from their criminal activity.

What can I do to report benefit fraud?

You can report housing benefit fraud in three ways:

1. By telephone:

Contact the National Fraud Hotline on 0800 854 440. Your call is free and confidential; you do not have to give your name and address. Lines are open Monday to Friday from 8am to 6pm.

If you have speech or hearing problems you can use a text phone service on 0800 328 0512.

2. Online:

Visit the Government Fraud Reporting website.

3. By post:

NBFH, PO Box 224, Preston PR1 1GP.