Benefit fraud takes many forms. Below are examples of the most common types that our investigators see regularly. This list is not exhaustive. (The following are links to paragraphs down the page)
- Working while claiming benefit,
- Living together
- Cashing benefit payment when not entitled to do so
- Multiple-identity fraud
- Housing Benefit fraud
- Falsely claiming benefit
- Failing to report a source of income
- Failing to report savings above the benefit level
- Failing to report a change of circumstances
This is better known as 'doing the double'. It covers everything from a person working one or two hours a week for a little extra money, to the habitual fraudster who works full-time and still claims benefit.
This is when someone claims benefit as a single person but fails to tell us that they have a partner living with them.
This includes:
- cashing a cheque belonging to someone else without their permission
- cashing a cheque and then reporting it lost or stolen to try to get a replacement payment
- cashing a cheque when no longer entitled to benefit.
This is when a person uses fictitious or hijacked identities in an attempt to obtain National Insurance Numbers and or benefits to which they are not entitled. In some cases an organised group of criminals may work together to defraud the system.
This is when a customer claims housing costs they are not entitled to, or does not declare that there are other people living in the household.
This is normally when a customer is claiming a benefit they are not entitled to.
This is when a customer does not declare they have money coming in, such as a works pension or private pension
This is when a customer does not declare any or all of their savings and they have more savings than they are allowed for the benefit they are receiving.
These circumstances can include:
- dependants leaving the family home,
- dependants claiming other benefits,
- an increase or decrease in savings or income,
- going into hospital
- going abroad.
All of these circumstances and many more can have a big effect on the rate of benefit entitlement, so it is essential that all changes are reported.
All of these frauds are serious. They are all wrong and those involved in any of them must be stopped.
Remember - "beating fraud is everyone’s business"
Help us to protect your money
If you have any information
Call the Fraud Hotline on 0800 975 6050.