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Fraud Investigations

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BenefitFraud

Description

Barnsley has a dedicated team of officers to reduce Benefit Fraud in the Borough.

Every year it is estimated that benefit cheats cost the taxpayer around £2 billion in stolen benefits.

Benefit Fraud is theft from Taxpayers and Non Taxpayers alike. It's theft from those entitled to benefits.

Benefit Fraud is a criminal offence that costs the average family the equivalent of £80 a year in unnecessary taxes.

Do you know a Benefit claimant who has not declared that:

They have a partner living with them;
They or their partner are working;
They have savings or own another property;
Their landlord is a close relative or they live with their landlord;
They have moved out of the property for which they claim;
They have had a change in their circumstances which would affect their housing and council tax benefit;
There are other circumstances, which mean that Benefit Fraud is being committed.

Do you know a landlord who gets benefit for someone who is no longer his or her tenant? You can make a difference - tell us now in strict confidence

What action do we take?

If we think someone is committing benefit fraud, we will carry out an investigation into their circumstances. If we have evidence that someone is committing Benefit Fraud, we may prosecute those involved, which could result in a possible prison sentence or a criminal record.

Help

How do you report a fraud?

You can report Benefit Fraud on-line by clicking the link below

Report Benefit Fraud online

You can e-mail us at benefitinvestigations@barnsley.gov.uk

You can also ring Barnsley's Benefit Fraud 24 hour hotline on:

0800 1382940

This is a free telephone number. You do not need to give your name, just the details of the suspected fraud. The information you give will be treated confidentially and investigated fully.

Please give as much detail as possible to help us investigate your allegations. Please note an answer phone will be in operation out-of-office hours.

More information about Benefit Fraud can be found on the DWP website - click on the link below

Targeting Benefit Fraud

or click below to view our Fraud Awareness presentation

Fraud Awareness Presentation

For details of other ways to contact us, see Benefit Enquiries

How can you help?

If you suspect that someone is committing benefit fraud, please call the hotline number, or report the fraud on-line. Please provide as much detail as possible to enable us to investigate the allegation.

Websites

Out of Hours Procedure

Out of Office Hours answer phone service on

0800 1382940

Other useful organisations

Housing Advice
Telephone 01226 773870

Welfare Rights
Telephone 01226 775656

Citizens' Advice Bureau
1 Shambles Street
Barnsley
S70 2HT
Telephone 01226 206492

Department for Work and Pensions
John Rideal House
Shambles Street
Barnsley
Telephone 01226 777222

The Job Centre
Peel Street
Barnsley
Telephone 01226 263000

Frequently Asked Questions

Why do you bother fighting benefit fraud?

The Council has a duty to safeguard public funds. We want to encourage honesty and ensure that persons whose claims are genuine get their full entitlements to benefit.

If I report a benefit fraud will I get to know the results?

No. The law says we have to keep information about people claiming benefits confidential so we cannot give any progress reports on the investigation or the final outcome. Some of our results may be printed in the local press.

How do you punish benefit cheats?

All benefit cheats have to pay the Council back the money they have stolen.

In the worst cases we will prosecute, however, we also have alternative punishments to the less serious cases.

We may offer a Formal Caution, which is still a serious matter, and this will be held on record with the Police. We may also offer an Administrative Penalty, which is a fine and has to be paid along with the overpaid benefit.

What are reasonable grounds for suspecting a benefit cheat?

You may know someone who claims benefit, but you can see them leaving home every morning at the same time and returning home in the evening. They even may be wearing a uniform. This may suggest they are working.

You may hear someone bragging in the pub about how they are "cheating the system".

You may know someone who is a lone parent and claims benefit, but you are aware of their partner living there who works full time.

I have been told that if my partner stays no more than three nights per week, I can still claim benefits is this true?

No. If the property is considered to be your partner's main residence, then benefit is affected regardless of the number of nights spent there. For example, a lorry driver may only stay 2 nights per week, but your benefit would still be affected because your property would be regarded as their home.

What if I report someone for benefit fraud will they find out it was me who reported them?

No. When you report a benefit fraud it is strictly confidential. There are certain laws that govern us for maintaining this confidentiality. You may choose not to tell us your name, and should you do leave your name we do not record this on our files.