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Closer working between government agencies, concerned citizens and local authorities has helped two Suffolk councils identify more fraud cases than ever before – and notch up their highest yearly total of successful sanctions.
Babergh and Mid Suffolk District Councils have a zero tolerance towards fraud and have in place a range of anti-fraud measures to protect assets and public funds.
Last year over 1,000 Housing Benefit referrals across the two districts – including tip-offs - of residents suspected of committing Housing Benefit & Council Tax Benefit Fraud. This resulted in almost 100 people being sanctioned through the courts or receiving financial penalties or cautions. As a consequence, over £250,000 in fraudulently acquired benefits were recovered - a big increase on previous years.
In one particular high-profiled case, a Mid Suffolk woman was fined a total of £10,000 for deliberately failing to declare a large amount of capital deposited in bank accounts she had contrived to hide.
In addition to the very tough stance on benefit fraud, Babergh and Mid Suffolk also receive and investigate many other areas of potential fraud, theft, corruption and error by working with other agencies to compare information. For example, in Babergh around 1300 non-benefi fraud data matches are likely to be received, reviewed and followed through to their natural conclusion this year.
Barry Hunter, Babergh’s Director of Finance said “Both Councils take all referrals of fraud very seriously – whether from government agencies or concerned citizens who suspect that someone is ripping off the system. Our growing success in identifying and sanctioning fraudsters shows that we will not tolerate fraud. It is our duty to Babergh’s law-abiding residents and Council Tax payers to make sure that this is the case. We will continue to work in innovative ways to protect assets and the public purse”.
Nigel Cape, Mid Suffolk’s Fraud and Visiting Team Leader said: “Our service, which is operated by Customer Service Direct (CSD) on behalf of Mid Suffolk District Council, has taken a more holistic approach throughout the past year. It has assisted in the recovery of overpaid benefit without recourse to more serious and expensive recovery action. Our customer service was recognised when the fraud and visiting team received an ‘excellent customer service’ award from CSD in recognition of this work.” ENDS
Notes to editors
Figures for Babergh benefit fraud successes:
2007/08: 20 prosecutions and 15 cautions
2008/09: 20 prosecutions and 25 cautions and 1 Administrative Penalty
2009/10: 19 prosecutions and 43 cautions and 3 Administrative Penalties, with a further 9 cases outstanding at court as of March 2010 and 52 investigations ongoing.
Figures for Babergh referrals and tip offs:
2007/08 386
2008/09 486
2009/10 545- 40% increase on 2007/08 and 12% increase on 2008/09
Suspected fraud, theft or corruption can be reported, anonymously if necessary, any time of the day or night via our website www.babergh.gov.uk.
For Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit fraud through the Council's benefit fraud hotline on (01473) 825797. (24 hour answerphone)
For Social Housing Fraud through the Council Housing Customer Service Team on (01473) 825757
For other matters including Single Person Discount fraud through Money Matters (01473) 825798
Mid Suffolk has a 24 hour hotline for reporting fraud. Calls are free and confidential. Phone: 0800 085 7214
Suspicions of fraud can also be reported by using the Council’s website: www.midsuffolk.gov.uk (you will be directed to the CSD website where there is an on-line form for completion)
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