The Investigations Team consists of professionally trained and accredited counter-fraud officers, who are committed to preventing and detecting fraud.
The team investigates referrals from many different sources, including:
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the fraud hotline/information from the general public
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benefits assessment teams and other council sections
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the Housing Benefit Matching Service (HBMS) - this compares information held on Housing Benefits systems with information held for other social security benefits and tax credits
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the National Fraud Initiative (NFI), comparing Housing Benefit information with other government records, including Student Loans, payroll, pensions, National Insurance numbers, Health Service payroll
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The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP)
We also undertake proactive exercises to target specific areas of fraud.
Once a referral is accepted for investigation, an officer will investigate the case fairly and in accordance with the law, ensuring that appropriate action is taken to stop fraud where it is found.
Last Modified: Tuesday 20 March 2012