How do I report benefit fraud?
There are several ways you can tell us about suspected fraud. Although you do not have to provide your name or contact details it would be useful if we need to contact you to clarify any information.
- You can call in to the Civic Centre during normal opening hours (8.30am to 5pm) and speak to a member of staff, write to us, email us at hbfraud@plymouth.gov.uk or ring us on 01752 304450 (8.30am to 5pm)
- Ring the National Benefit Fraud Hotline (Department for Work and Pensions) on 0800 854 440 or Textphone 0800 328 0512 (lines are open 7am to 11pm seven days a week)
- Complete the online report benefit fraud form. Please note the information from this form is collected by the Department for Work and Pensions who will notify the local authority of any suspected Housing Benefit fraud reported to them
What information do I need to give you?
We need the following information when you report a suspected fraud (don't worry if you can't provide all the information). Remember you can provide this information anonymously.
- The name and address of the claimant, including their description, age, distinguishing features, appearance and any other information you have about the person
- What type of benefit fraud you think is being committed
- Why you think they are committing benefit fraud
- If they are working; their type and place of employment and hours they work (do they wear a uniform to work?)
- Their vehicle details (including make, colour and registration number)
- Details of their partner or other adults in the household (including names, relationship to claimant and employment details if known)
- Property they may own
- Other names they may be using
What happens to my report?
Each report we receive is assessed to ensure the information you provide can justify the investigation. If it does the case is passed to a Fraud Investigation Officer who will then gather evidence to prove the facts and take action where necessary.
Investigations may take time to complete and we cannot discuss individual cases with you. Although you do not have to provide your name or contact details it would be useful if we need to contact you to clarify any information.
When we have finished our investigations and where there is enough evidence to go ahead with a prosecution we will consider which of the following actions is appropriate:
- Criminal prosecution, for the most serious cases
- Formal caution
- Administrative penalty
- No sanction appropriate
Please remember the following when you have a suspicion that a person is claiming benefits fraudulently:
- Do report your concerns as quickly as you can
- Do give as much information and detail as possible
- Do not approach the claimant yourself or alert them to your suspicions
- Do not try to obtain information which could compromise your safety
- Do not attempt to investigate the matter yourself. There is legislation which governs investigations and evidence gathering and any breach of those regulations may jeopardise a case
- The claimant may have already informed us of their circumstances
Remember, regardless of whether or not fraud is proven, we will always seek to recover overpaid Housing and Council Tax Benefit.