Housing Benefit or Council Tax Support change of circumstances

Benefit fraud - report benefit fraud

If you receive benefit, you have a responsibility to provide accurate and up to date information about your circumstances. People who knowingly withhold information or deliberately fail to report a change in their circumstances are benefit thieves and are committing benefit fraud.

Some examples are people who do not:

  • report that their partner has moved in with them
  • tell us about the other benefits they are receiving
  • declare their savings or do not declare the right amount of savings
  • tell us when they or their partner start work, or earn extra money
  • report they have inherited money
  • tell us if they change address or go abroad

It also includes people who claim for children who have left home.

How we work to stop benefit fraud

To stop benefit fraud we:

  • have a team of investigation officers working to prevent and detect fraud
  • train all our claims officers to recognise potential fraud
  • work closely with the Department for Work and Pensions, Bedfordshire Police and other enforcement agencies
  • take legal action in cases where there is clear evidence of fraud, and those found breaking the law face a criminal record
  • publicise the results of our successful investigations, to deter other potential fraudsters

Report benefit fraud

Most people claiming benefits are honest, but benefit fraudsters are stealing from you. We are working hard to stop them, and your information could help. If you suspect someone is claiming benefits fraudulently, tell us. We will keep your information in the strictest confidence.

Email benefitfraud@centralbedfordshire.gov.uk, or call us now on 0300 300 5476. Our confidential telephone hotline is open 24 hours a day.

If you would prefer to write to us, our address is:

Fraud Team (Revenues and Benefits Office)
Central Bedfordshire Council
Priory House
Monks Walk
Chicksands
Shefford
Bedfordshire
SG17 5TQ