It has been reported that Benefit Fraud is on the increase in these testing economic times.
Caerphilly county borough council is busy investigating all different types of fraud, including anonymous allegations and data matching (which is where the details are matched with details of other organisations including pension companies, employers, inland revenue and Credit Check companies.)
Benefit Fraud Investigators have powers to obtain details of bank accounts, pensions, utilities, Sky, DVLA, employment and much more. They investigate all referrals including anonymous allegations. We are also able to carry out observations on a person’s home or workplace, or make a visit to their employer. Many such cases have resulted in prosecutions/sanction.
In the last financial year 2010/11 they prosecuted/sanctioned over ninety claimants and this financial year 2011/12 they have matched that number already.
An example of an ongoing investigation is where they received an allegation of possible undeclared capital, copies of the bank accounts were obtained using Officers’ Powers, this then led to the discovery of a joint account with an undeclared partner, showing wages and pension payments being paid into the account for the partner. Evidence linked the partner to the claimants address for the last nine years, with the undeclared capital and partner, a £30,000 overpayment now has to be paid back.
They are actively investigating fraud cases and have a fraud referral hotline, if you know of someone who is committing fraud you can contact them with the details and you do not have to give your name. The number to contact is 01443 863325 or write to them at: –
Benefit Fraud Enquiry Unit
Penallta House
Tredomen Park
Ystrad Mynach
Hengoed
CF82 7PG
