What sort of information should you include in your referral?

[Image: Benefit Fraud Poster]

name(s)
address(es)
what you think the fraud is - what income or household circumstances are involved
any known daily times or patterns linked to the possible fraud
if you are telling us about a 'living together' situation, where claimant and partner are employed
descriptions
vehicle(s) make, model, colour, registration and, if appropriate, why you believe it is linked to the possible fraud
any reason to suspect violent behaviour
anything you think might be useful

NB: Please be aware that you should report only what you know and that on no account should you endeavour to 'find out more' about any person's movements as you may then be acting unlawfully!

Fraud Referral Quality Assessment

All referrals received by the Counter-Fraud Section are reviewed for content with a view to embarking on a full investigation. The Council has a Referral Quality Assessment procedure in place which is specifically designed to assess the content of referrals and their suitability for investigation.

In certain situations the matter may not be progressed by the Counter-Fraud Section, such as where:

there is insufficient information to take the case forward
the information is known to the council already
it is a repeat allegation that has already been actioned
the matter has already been declared to the Council by the benefit claimant
the possible change to benefit will result in an increase in the benefit award
the referral content will result in no change to the benefit
the matter is already being actioned by our Benefit Processing Section
a weakness in the benefit assessment process has been identified
the fraudulent activity relates to a person under the age of 18
the referral relates to someone with Severe Mental Impairment
the allegation is such that there is likely to be very little possibility to take the case to prosecution or administer one of the lesser sanctions, and we are at our full caseload for commencing lower-level investigations.

However, your referral will always be actioned where there is any action to be taken and so will be forwarded to one of the following:

Department for Works and Pensions to investigate where a DWP benefit is in payment
Revenues Division's Visiting Section
Revenues Division's Benefit Processing Section

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