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www.wokingham.gov.uk
Protecting your money from fraud Focus on the Business Assurance Investigations Team Protecting your money and making sure it goes to the right people and services drives the work of the Council’s specialist Business Assurance Investigations Team. Formed in January 2010, the five-strong team investigates alleged fraud in areas such as housing and council tax, housing tenancy including the sub-let of council properties and disabled blue badges. It also independently investigates any allegations of internal fraud or misconduct. Investigators use different techniques to ascertain if an allegation is true. This could be home visits, surveillance, or using technology to identify undeclared income and capital. If a benefit claimant fails to declare income, savings or assets, either their own or a partner’s, we will find out. Fraud takes money away from vital services for our most vulnerable residents and we are committed to identifying this and prosecuting where appropriate.
Executive view Executive Member for Finance Cllr Anthony Pollock “Making sure that money goes to the right people and services is key to using our resources effectively. People who claim benefits they aren’t entitled to are taking money from those who really need it. Our investigations team works to strict guidelines to make sure these benefits are available to those they are intended for and don’t end up in the wrong pockets. Tackling fraud, wherever it happens, is a priority.”
If you suspect anyone of committing any of the offences detailed above, please call the confidential hotline on: 0800 454 240 or report it online at: www.wokingham.gov.uk (search for ‘report benefit or other fraud’). Any reports or allegations of fraud can be anonymous. When prosecuting cases of fraud, we look at the amounts of money involved and the levels of dishonesty. Investigators follow strict rules to ensure cases are managed in a fair and accurate way from beginning to end. They work closely with Thames Valley Police, The Department for Work and Pensions, Her Majesty’s Revenues and Customs and the UK Border Agency and will report other forms of suspected crime to these agencies. This can play a vital role in preventing further crime. Allegations of internal fraud can vary from code of conduct issues to financial irregularities. You can report suspected employee misconduct or malpractice on the confidential whistleblowing hotline: (0118) 974 6550 or by email: confidential.whistleblowing@wokingham.gov.uk.
Since April 2011, the team has identified £353,000 of housing and council tax benefit overpayments. Investigations have resulted in nine prosecutions, six cautions and 12 administrative penalties.