Fraud is the act of wrongful or criminal deception intended to result in financial or personal gain, or cause a loss to another. 

Fraud can have a direct impact on the level of resources that the council has available for the community and local services.

We have a responsibility to protect public funds and ensure that any allegations of fraud and/or corruption are fully investigated.

For that reason we have a dedicated team made up of qualified and accredited investigation specialists, their duties include:

• Preventing and reducing the risk of fraud
• Detecting and investigating allegations of fraud
• Taking legal action against those committing the fraud

• Housing fraud
• Illegal sub-letting
• False housing applications
• False homeless applications
• Council Tax Reduction
• Single Person Discount
• Business Rates Relief
• Right to Buy applications
• Insurance and compensation fraud
• Offences committed by staff members and contractors

Any information that is passed to the investigations team is dealt with confidentially. 

An investigator will normally conduct background searches and gather all relevant information and evidence before approaching the person concerned.

Depending on the information and evidence gathered then the person may be invited to attend a formal Interview under Caution. They may also receive a:

• Warning letter
• Formal caution
• Administrative penalty
• Civil penalty
• Prosecution