Fraud is when someone deliberately withholds or falsifies information in order to obtain benefit to which they are not entitled, for example, not telling us that you’re living with a partner or earning money.
By using the word "fraud," we mean someone who is knowingly claiming benefit to which they are not entitled.
- Example One: Mr. A was claiming Housing & Council Tax Benefit due to his low earnings. He failed to advise that he had inherited property that he was now renting. This meant that he was not entitled to the benefits he was receiving and was committing benefit fraud.
- Example Two: Mrs. B was claiming Housing & Council Tax Benefit as her husband had left her and her two children. Having obtained benefit she started work as a part time assistant in her Uncle's shop and failed to report this work to the Council. This meant that she was not entitled to the benefits she was receiving and was committing benefit fraud.
- Example Three: Mr. C was receiving Housing & Council Tax Benefit as he had just retired from his work as a Postman. He failed to declare that as well as his state Retirement Pension he also received a pension from is former employer. This meant that he was not entitled to the benefits he was receiving and was committing benefit fraud.
