Contact us

County Hall
Morpeth
Northumberland
NE61 2EF
Tel: 0845 600 6400
Fax: 01670 511 413
Opening Hours:
Mon-Fri : 8.30am - 5pm

Fraud


Benefit Fraud


 

PRESS RELEASE

Latest Fraud Prosecutions

Blyth benefit cheat must pay back in full
Cramlington mum in court over benefit fraud
Cramlington man guilty of benefit fraud
Amble mother claimed extra benefits
Ashington Benefit Cheat
Prudhoe Benefit Cheat Prosecuted
Ashington benefit cheat prosecuted
Ponteland woman prosecuted for benefit fraud

 

 

What is Benefit Fraud?

Benefit fraud is where people claim benefit, including housing benefit and council tax benefit, that they are not entitled to by giving false information or not telling us when their circumstances change.

Some examples of benefit fraud are:

  • people who work but do not declare it 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 actually live there.
  • people who do not tell us the full amount of their income, savings or capital when they claim benefit.

 

How does Benefit Fraud affect me?

Benefit fraud accounts for the largest single abuse of public funds in the UK. It’s a crime that neither Local nor Central government are taking lightly.

People who deliberately claim benefits when they are not entitled to it are committing a criminal offence.

Benefit fraud can also be committed by landlords and employers.  If a landlord, who is paid housing benefit directly on behalf of their tenant, fails to notify the council that their tenant has left the property then they may be committing benefit fraud.

Employers of benefit claimants may be committing benefit fraud if they understate the number of hours worked or wages paid to their employees.

 

Who are my local Benefit Fraud Investigation Team?

Northumberland Council employs a team of professionally trained investigators who have legal powers to obtain information from financial institutions such as banks, credit card companies, government departments and other local authorities.  Information can also be sourced from employers, utility companies and internet providers to name just a few. 

Northumberland County Council Benefit Fraud Investigation Team use a variety of methods to obtain information including surveillance, computer data matches (including National Fraud Initiative), and undertake joint working with the Department for Work and Pensions, Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs, the Police and other organisations.

 

How can I report a suspected Benefit Fraud?

IF YOU THINK SOMEONE IS CLAIMING BENEFITS FROM NORTHUMBERLAND COUNTY COUNCIL WHICH THEY ARE NOT ENTITLED TO PLEASE LET US KNOW

We would like your help to identify the individuals committing benefit fraud.

You can remain completely anonymous and any information you provide will be treated in confidence.

 

If you suspect that somebody is committing benefit fraud you can report it to us by completing our online form by clicking here.

 

You can also e-mail our dedicated fraud team at Fraudline@northumberland.gov.uk

 

To assist us in our enquiries we need as much information as possible, for example:

  • the nature of the fraud
  • name and address of the person(s) concerned
  • details of employment including the type of work, employer name and address, hours of work, approximate earnings
  • details of any undeclared partner including their name, description, employment, departure times from the property
  • description of vehicles, including registration number, colour and make if known.

 

You can also call the National Benefit Fraud Hotline on 0800 854 440.  Text phone users call 0800 328 0512 or log onto the National Benefit Fraud at https://secure.dwp.gov.uk/benefitfraud/

 

What does the fraud process involve?

We will investigate any reported fraud and if we have sufficient evidence, we will take legal action against that person.  The investigation may establish that no fraud has taken place, in which case no further action will be taken.

Unfortunately we cannot tell you the outcome of individual investigations but we may publicise our results and the outcome of successful prosecutions in the local media.

 

Contact us

Fraud Hotline: 01670 502444

Secure Fraud Fax: 01670 843215

Fraudline@northumberland.gov.uk

Benefit Fraud Investigations Team

Northumberland County Council

Wansbeck Square

Ashington

Northumberland

NE63 9XL



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