If you think someone is committing benefit fraud it is important that you report it. The Benefit Investigation Unit Fraud Hotline is a confidential way to report someone you suspect of committing benefit fraud.
You can report a cheat in various ways……By Phone, Online or by writing to us.
What we need from you:
Please provide as much information as you can about the person and why you think they are committing benefit fraud. The more information you provide, the better. The law says that we must have good reason to investigate a person. For example:
Example 1 A N. Other is working and claiming.
Example 2 A N. Other is working and claiming benefit, he leaves the house everyday at about 7.30am in oily overalls and returns at approx 5.30pm. He drives an old red Ford Escort.
We may not be able to investigate the first example, as it does not give enough grounds for an investigation. It does not tell us why you think that the person is committing fraud.
We would probably be able to investigate the second example, as it does say why you think the person is committing fraud.
What we do with your report:
We look at every report we get.
First of all we decide if there is enough information to start an investigation.
We gather additional information about the suspect from a wide range of sources, such as utility companies, banks and building societies.
We alert the Fraud Investigation Team and send them the report and any additional information we have found.
The Fraud Investigation Team investigates and establishes the facts. Where appropriate they take action – including the withdrawal of benefits or starting a criminal prosecution.
All this can take time.
Unfortunately we cannot comment on cases under investigation. So if you report someone we will not be able to update you on how the investigation is proceeding.
