Benefit Fraud

Benefit fraud is where people claim Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit when they are not entitled to it..

When people claim benefit they are required to tell us their true circumstances and those of anybody in their family and also to tell us if any of their circumstances change. Some people fail to do this. Those people who fail to do this can be liable to repay the overpaid benefit and face either prosecution or an alternative sanction.

What Types of Fraud Do People Commit?

• Living together: people claim benefit as a single person when they have their partner living with them
• Undisclosed income or capital (e.g. state benefits, pensions, tax credits, savings and property)
• False or contrived tenancies: landlords and tenants that create tenancies solely to take advantage of the Benefit Scheme
• Non-Residency: claims that are made for empty properties
• Non-Dependants and lodgers: claimants fail to declare other people that live at their address
• Working or not declaring the correct wages

The list does not cover all the types of fraud, so if you think someone is claiming and should not be please contact us.

What to Do About Fraud

Charnwood Borough Council has a dedicated team of professionally trained investigators. The team are responsible for the detection and investigation of suspected fraudulent claims.

If you suspect someone of making a false claim or giving wrong details please tell us. ANY INFORMATION YOU GIVE WILL BE TREATED IN THE STRICTEST CONFIDENCE AND CAN BE GIVEN ANONYMOUSLY.

You can contact the Benefit Investigation Team at:

Benefits Services
Charnwood Borough Council
Southfields Loughborough
Leicestershire
LE11 2TU

To report it you can Contact Benefits by telephone or by e-mail: charnwood.benefits@secure.capita.co.uk

TOGETHER WE WILL BEAT BENEFIT FRAUD