Benefit fraud investigation

Benefit fraud is costing taxpayers an estimated £0.8 billion per year. This would pay for 38,000 additional nurses nationally and is money that could be used in other under resourced vital services.

Fraud has an impact on the level of Council tax, the level of Income Tax and the level of resources available to share amongst our community.

We have a duty to protect benefit funds from fraud and abuse. We also have a duty to investigate fraud and are measured by the government on how well we secure the system and investigate benefit fraud.

In the financial year 2007 to 2008 we identified £1.31 million in fraudulent overpayments of beneft, including £875,000 in housing and council tax benefit.

There are many types of benefit fraud. Some of these are highlighted on the Government's "No Ifs No Buts" campaign.

If you know anyone who is commiting fraud please use the hotline to tell us about it. 020 8937 1279