Fraud investigation and prevention

The council is committed to protecting public money and has a team dedicated to tackling housing and council tax benefit fraud.

Most benefit claimants are honest. But we are aware some people will try to obtain a benefit when they may not be entitled to one, or continue receiving payments when they are no longer eligible.

The Tower Hamlets benefit fraud investigation team works closely with other agencies to stamp down on benefit fraud. We receive referrals and investigate allegations of fraud from a number of different sources, including other departments within our council, other councils, the Department for Work and Pensions, the police and members of the public.

If our investigation finds fraud has been committed, we will consider taking prosecution or sanction against the person or persons involved, depending on the circumstances and gravity of the case.

Sanctions include administrative penalties like:

• a ‘fine’ amounting to 30 per cent of the fraudulently paid overpaid benefit amount; or
• a formal caution which is registered nationally and can be cited in court if there is a conviction against a further benefit offence.

We determine whether to take proceedings on cases further than administrative penalties (i.e. to get a court conviction) in line with the council’s Benefit Fraud Prosecutions and Sanctions Policy.

The policy ensures we are applying a fair and consistent approach to investigated cases and ensures we determine the severity of cases against the following type of factors:

• sufficiency of evidence collected
• whether it is considered in the public interest to pursue the case
• any other relevant influencing factors, such as evidence of a previous fraud.

Anyone wanting to report a suspected benefit fraud can contact us in person, by telephone, fax or email. Or you can complete and submit our online form.

All information you give us will be in confidence.

To contact us

Tower Hamlets Benefit Fraud Investigation Team
Mulberry Place,  5 Clove Crescent, London E14 2BG 
Tel: 020 7364 7427 (during office hours)
Tel: 020 7364 7443 (24 hour answer phone)
Fax: 020 7364 7048

Pid No: 726