Contents
- About us and the job we do
- Tackling Fraud
- Types of Benefit Fraud
- Report a benefit cheat
- What happens to your report?
- Guidance for making a referral
Benefit Fraud investigation
About us and the job we do
This area of our web site provides information about the Investigation Team's anti-fraud activity in relation to housing and council tax benefit.
It is estimated that every year benefit cheats cost the country around £0.9 billion in stolen benefits. This is money that could be spent on improving services for people in real need and it's your taxes that are paying for their luxuries.
Fraudsters cost the Council money each year in fraudulently claimed Housing and Council Tax Benefit.
Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council is determined to stamp out fraud and has a dedicated Benefit Fraud Investigations Team committed to preventing, detecting and putting an end to Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit fraud.
All investigations are carried out with integrity and in a professional manner by trained and qualified staff.
Benefit fraud is a criminal offence and, if we think someone is fraudulently claiming benefit, we will investigate that person's circumstances. In certain situations, for example where we suspect third party collusion, we may also investigate the landlord and/or employers.
If we have evidence that someone is committing benefit fraud we may prosecute the offender or, as an alternative to prosecution, apply a formal caution or a financial penalty.
Benefit fraud is not a victimless crime and it affects all of us.
Remember, if you are receiving benefit yourself it is your responsibility to notify the local authority immediately of any change in your circumstances that may affect your entitlement to benefit.
You cannot assume that other organisations, like the Department for Work and Pensions, will notify us on your behalf
See Previous Investigation Success's for some of the cases that have been settled.
Contact Details
For more information on Benefit and Fraud Investigations, please contact Revenue and Benefits
Telephone: 0121 704 6214
Email benefits@solihull.gov.uk