Benefit Fraud - Frequently Asked Questions
Benefit Fraud
Frequently Asked Questions
Tameside MBC is committed to the prevention, deterrence and detection of Housing and Council Tax Benefit Fraud
In 2007/08, Tameside MBC discovered 237 fraudulent claims to the value of £267,174.83. Of these cases, 113 resulted in a sanction including prosecution and action is pending on others.
Tameside MBC always takes action to recover the benefit overpayment, and in addition to this, Tameside's fraudsters have had to pay £29,606.43 in penalties so far.
- What Is Benefit Fraud?
- What types of fraud are there?
- Does the Investigation Team have access to other Organisations?
- How can I report suspected Benefit Fraud?
To contact us or to report suspected fraud, you can use the on-line form or ring the Benefit Fraud Hotline Service 
0800 328 6340 which is a free phone number and all calls are treated in absolute confidence. A trained member of staff will take any information you can provide regarding people committing benefit.
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.
The Council 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 staff in the Council's Revenues team who report any suspicious benefit claims. Last year over one million pounds of benefit fraud was detected.
Take a look at the Stop Benefit Fraud DVD which shows typical Housing Benefit Fraud and the effects it has on you and the community.
If you do not have Realplayer, please visit www.real.com 
(for free Realplayer download).
Blatant benefit cheats are being prosecuted:
A Tameside man pleaded guilty to making false claims for Housing and Council Tax Benefit, by failing to declare that his wife was in paid employment.
At court he was sentenced to a 6-month, 7am - 7pm curfew order, whilst his wife, who also pleaded guilty to her part in the fraud, was sentenced to a community punishment order, and ordered to pay costs of £230.
Tameside fraud investigators discovered a Stalybridge man had capital, which was significantly above the permitted limits for benefit purposes.
The man pleaded guilty to making fraudulent claims for both Housing and Council Tax benefit, by failing to declare that he had capital in excess of £750k, held in several undeclared bank accounts.
At court he was sentenced to three months in prison. Tameside MBC instigated a financial investigation, and they are now pursuing recovery through confiscation proceedings.
What types of fraud are there?
Typical examples of benefit fraud are:
- People who work but do not declare this 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 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.
Does the Investigation Team have access to other Organisations?
The Investigation team has access to various anti-fraud organisations such as:
Local Authority Investigation Officers Group (LAIOG)
Approximately approximately 400 Local Authorities subscribe to the Local Authority Investigations Officers Group across England, Scotland and Wales. The group aims to provide its members with access to information from Parliamentary sources, the Department of Work and Pensions, Data Protection and the Benefit Fraud Inspectorate, which is relative to their fraud enquiries.
www.laiog.org
Benefit Fraud Inspectorate
The Benefit Fraud Inspectorate (BFI) was launched in November 1997 in response to widespread concerns about the estimated high levels of fraud in the Social Security system. Their mission is to maximise counter fraud performance and minimise the risk of fraud throughout the Social Security System.
www.bfi.gov.uk/
National Anti Fraud Network (NAFN)
The aim of the network is to make available a national intelligence service to assist in deterring, detecting and preventing fraud. It also aims to provide a regular source of intelligence and focal points for Local Authorities on a wide range of fraud related matters.
www.nafn.gov.uk
How can I report suspected benefit fraud?
Please complete this online fraud reporting form if you suspect someone is committing fraud against Tameside MBC.
Alternatively you can ring the Benefit Fraud Hotline Service on 0800 328 6340 which a free phone number and all calls are treated in absolute confidence. A trained member if staff will take any information you can provide regarding people committing benefit fraud.