If someone claims Housing and or Council Tax Benefit or Social Security benefits where they have no right to entitlement they are commiting benefit fraud. Typical examples of benefit fraud are:
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People, who work, but don't declare this when they submit their claim;
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People, who claim as a single person, but actually live with a partner;
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People, who claim from an address, but do not live there;
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People who do not tell the Council the full amount of income, savings or capital they have when they claim benefit;
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People who for any reason do not have any right to claim Housing Benefit or Council Tax benefit.
Eliminating benefit fraud
We are keen to make prompt payments of Housing and Council Tax benefit to claimants, and equally keen to eliminate benefit fraud. For this reason we have a Fraud Investigation Team. They are responsible for detection and investigation of fraudulent claims, and are aided by all Council employees, who report any suspicious benefit claims.
If it is proven that a person has committed a benefit fraud then they will be subject to one or more of the following actions against them:
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The recovery of the amount that they have received fraudulently;
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The charging of a penalty;
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Prosecution through the courts (depending upon the circumstances).
Reporting fraud
If you believe that someone is claiming a benefit that they are not entitled to contact Gateshead Council using our online fraud reporting form| to let us know.
Important Notice – if you would like to report benefit fraud for someone who does not live within the Gateshead area:
1.) Please call the National Benefit Fraud Hotline 0800 854 440 (Textphone users call 0800 328 05012)
Or
2.) Use the National Online Benefit Fraud Reporting Form|
The Fraud Investigation Team have access to various anti-fraud organisations - see the information below.
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Benefit Fraud Inspectorate ( BFI ). Launched in response to concerns about the high estimated levels of fraud in the Social Security system they maximise counter fraud performance and minimise the risk of fraud throughout the Social Security System.
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Local Authority Investigation Officers Group ( LAIOG ). This group of approx. 400 Local Authorities in England, Scotland and Wales provides members with access to information from Parliamentary sources, the Department of Work and Pensions, Data Protection and the Benefit Fraud Inspectorate.
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National Anti Fraud Network ( NAFN ). This network makes available a national intelligence service to assist in deterring, detecting and preventing fraud. It also provides a regular source of intelligence and focal points for Local Authorities on a wide range of fraud related matters.
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Department for Work and Pensions ( DWP ) Fraud Investigation Team. DWP have extensive powers to investigate benefit fraud. The Council has a close working relationship with DWP Fraud Investigation Teams. Information is regularly shared to ensure that all types of benefit fraud are investigated. In certain cases the person committing fraud could be prosecuted.