Benefit fraud

Do you know someone who is committing fraud?

Do you suspect that someone is committing benefit fraud?

Do you want to stop your council tax increasing because of fraud?

If you do, report it now:  

fill in our on-line benefit fraud form

call the confidential, free hotline:  0800 7838435

email benefit.fraud@fdean.gov.uk

fax 01594 812554

All methods are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and are totally confidential.  You do not need to tell us any details about yourself.

WE WILL NOT CONTACT YOU UNLESS YOU ASK US TO.

We have a dedicated fraud section. Its aims are to detect and prevent Housing Benefit and Council Tax Reduction fraud.

The successful detection and prevention of fraud can increase the amount of money available for use on other public services in the Forest of Dean. Detecting and preventing Housing Benefit and Council Tax Reduction fraud keeps your council tax down.

There are many ways that an individual or organised groups can try to defraud the genuine council taxpayer. They could be working whilst claiming housing benefit or income support/job seekers allowance, taking in a lodger or having their partner live with them whilst they claim as a single person.

Fraud hurts us all, from increasing taxes to depriving the most vulnerable members of our community from the help they deserve.

The Council is committed to protecting the public purse and ensuring only those who are entitled to Housing Benefit and Council Tax Reduction receive it. The Council has an anti fraud policy that ensures an equitable and consistent approach to the prevention and detection of fraud in the public’s best interest.

Where a claimant has committed fraud, we will prosecute, providing there is sufficient evidence and it is in the public interest. Following guidelines in the prosecution policy, if a prosecution is not possible alternative action will also be considered which could be an administrative penalty (increasing the overpayment by a pre-determined amount) or an official caution.

WE WILL SEEK TO RECOVER ALL OVERPAID BENEFIT FROM FRAUDSTERS IN ALL CASES.