It's not if we catch you, it's when!

What is Benefit Fraud? Benefit fraud is benefit theft!

There are no excuses when it comes to benefit fraud. Deliberately withholding information that affects a claim is stealing. That's why we are targeting benefit thieves!

Many people assume that benefit theft applies only to those who are working for 'cash in hand' whilst claiming benefits. This is not the case. All benefit theft is crime, and this includes incorrect claims for Housing and Council Tax Benefits.

Everyone who commits benefit fraud is a benefit thief.

Benefit theft includes people:

• not telling us that they are now living with a partner
• not telling us about other people living in their home
• not telling us that they are receiving other benefits
• not telling us about any savings or not telling us the right amount
• not telling us that they have started work, or about any earnings
• not telling us that they have inherited money
• not telling us that they have changed address
• not telling us the correct circumstances concerning tenancies.

There are no exceptions. People who knowingly withhold information or deliberately fail to report a change in their circumstances are benefit thieves. It is not 'playing the game' - it is breaking the law!

If your circumstances have changed, tell us straight away.

The Cost of Benefit Fraud

Dumfries and Galloway Council takes benefit theft very seriously. Although the vast majority of people who claim benefits are honest, those who commit benefit theft are picking the pockets of law-abiding taxpayers.

The latest government estimate (2011/12) is that £1.2 billion is lost from public funds every year through all benefit fraud. Fraud in Housing Benefit  and Council Tax Benefit is estimated to cost £420 million each year.

The Consequences of Benefit Fraud

The Council is committed to making benefit theft harder to get away with and we are determined to detect and catch benefit thieves.

We have professionally trained Fraud Investigators with powers to investigate people suspected of all types of benefit fraud. All benefit theft is crime and those found breaking the law face a criminal record.

We are targeting benefit thieves with a full range of penalties.

People suspected of benefit theft face:

• having to pay all the money back
• a taped interview under caution
• prosecution
• a fine
• a criminal record
• asset recovery
• social stigma

Tackling Benefit Fraud

We are tracking benefit thieves in every way we can.

Dumfries and Galloway Council now has more ways to track down and identify benefit thieves:

• Through the Department of Work and Pensions as well as other Government computer systems we compare information to check if people are entitled to their benefit. Computers have identified thousands of inconsistencies for further investigation.
• Through all other Local Authorities who hold information about Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit.
• Through HM Revenue & Customs who hold information about people claiming social security benefits, including details about tax credits, income, investments/savings and national insurance contributions.
• Through the Home Office who supply data about passports and nationalities.
• Through Banks and Credit Companies where we can apply for information about people's bank accounts and their credit history details.
• Through household utility companies (such as fuel and water companies) where we can apply for information about people's bills.
• Through authorised undercover operations.
• Through a National Local Authority Fraud Hotline - 0800 328 6340 - that takes hundreds of calls in confidence everyday from people reporting suspected benefit thieves.
• Through our Council Benefit Fraud Hotline - 0800 085 7449 - Fraud staff will deal with your call.

Reporting Benefit Fraud

If anyone you know is committing benefit theft, we want to hear about it.

If you know of anyone committing benefit fraud you can contact the Council's Benefit Fraud Team in confidence on our Council's Benefit Fraud Hotline - 0800 085 7449. The line is manned from 9.00 am to 5.00 pm, Monday to Friday. You can also email at Benefit.Fraud@dumgal.gov.uk

Alternatively you can contact the National Local Authority Fraud Hotline on 0800 328 6340. Your call is free and confidential. Lines are open 8.00am - 6.00pm, Monday to Friday.

The following information would be useful when reporting suspected fraud:

• Claimants name and address
• Details of the type of fraud
• Descriptions for claimant and anyone else involved
• Information about their vehicle, if they have one
• Name and address of employers
• Times of leaving and arriving home