Bassetlaw District Council’s Benefits Investigation Unit has identified well over £300 000 in fraud and error-related benefit payments since April 2010. This relates to Housing Benefit and Council Tax benefit over-claimed, which has to be paid back by the claimant. A good proportion of this money is rooted in dishonest claims.

Head of Revenues and Customer Services, Andy Burton, said, “The fraud figures continue to rise as the recession grips people harder. With a minority of people, the principle of honesty can take a step back if an advantage can be seen in not telling the Council about important changes in circumstances. Examples include not declaring a resident partner; employment income not declared and some claimants have bank accounts they don’t tell the council about. The Council has ways to find out about all these issues and more besides,

“The checks made by the Council include a range of data matching measures together with close links to the Department for Welfare and Pensions and Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs records, as well as anonymous tip offs from members of the public

“If there’s a suspicion that fraud has been committed the Benefit Investigators will interview the claimant under caution. This means the interview is recorded and held under the same rules as those operated by Police.

“There are occasions however when the explanation given by the claimant is genuine and the case is not classified as fraud. Since April 2010, excess benefit claims such as these have resulted in overpayments of £130,000

all of which must be repaid.

"Around £175,000 of overpayments since April 2010 relate to fraud.

"Since April 2010, the investigations team has examined around 200 cases, administered 25 Cautions, 32 Administrative Penalty and 27 people have been convicted in Court

“If you know of anyone you think may be defrauding the benefit system please call the national number or the Council. The national fraud report free phone, which takes calls anonymously, is 0800 328 6340.”

The Council’s Investigation Unit may be contacted on 01909 533731or by email at benefit.fraud@bassetlaw.gov.uk.