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Benefits - fraud investigation

City of Durham has an ongoing commitment to stamping out Housing and Council Tax Benefit fraud. The Council has a specialist counter-fraud team who investigate potentially fraudulent claims. They have powers to obtain information such as details of bank accounts that have not been declared and will carry out surveillance where appropriate.

There are many different ways people claim money they aren't entitled to. For example stating they are a single parent when in fact they have a partner living with them or failing to declare their savings. Some examples are given below:

• Failure to declare work.
• Failure to declare income, savings or capital.
• Failing to declare property.
• Owner occupiers falsely claiming housing benefit. This is where the owner-occupier of a property states that he or she is paying rent for a property they own.
• Failing to declare a partner.
• Non-residency. This happens when a person is claiming for an address they don't live at. This type of offence may occur with the knowledge of the landlord.
• Landlord fraud. Often happens when a landlord continues to receive benefit paid directly to him/her after the claimant has vacated the premises.

It may be that someone you know is not telling the council the truth about their circumstances and is cheating the benefits system. Benefit fraud is not a victimless crime. It is estimated that nationally £800 million is lost annually to benefit fraud. This is money that could be spent on hospitals or schools.

You have a part to play. If you would like to report someone who you think is claiming benefits they are not entitled to there are a number of ways to do it.

• Write to City Of Durham Council, Benefit Fraud, PO Box 368, Durham, DH7 8WW
• You can speak to a fraud officer on 0191 301 8562 during office hours.
• You can leave a message outside office hours on 0191 301 8562
• You can send an email to benefitfraud@durhamcity.gov.uk
• Call the National Benefit Fraud Hotline free on 0800 854 440
• Send a text message to 0779 872 8614
• Download, print and complete the form. Return it to us at : City Of Durham Council, Benefit Fraud, PO Box 368, Durham, DH7 8WW

All reports are looked at and it does help if you can give as much detail as you can.

You don't have to give your name and the information you supply will be treated in the strictest confidence.

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Other pages you may find useful

• Council tax - annual notification (PID 57)