Housing and council tax benefit fraud

The council has a duty to investigate anyone suspected of fraudulently claiming housing or council tax benefit.  The council has a fraud team, whose duties are to investigate and detect housing and council tax benefit fraud.

The council may prosecute anyone found to be making a fraudulent claim for housing and council tax benefit.

Failure to notify a change in circumstances is an offence in respect of housing and council tax benefit.

For example:

• failing to declare starting work
• failing to report an increase in income (tax credits)
• failing to report an increase in capital          

About this service

We will investigate any suspected fraudulent claims for housing and council tax benefit.

What you must do

You can inform us anonymously if you suspect someone is claiming benefits fraudulently. By using the benefit fraud hotline. Please contact the national benefit fraud hotline on: 0800 854 440.

You can also write to the council if you suspect someone is claiming housing and council tax benefit fraudulently.

What happens next?

If you report a housing or council tax benefit fraud we will investigate the claim.  We have a responsibility to ensure housing and council tax benefit payments are made only to those who are actually entitled to receive them.