Benefit Fraud

Benefit Fraud

Together we can better target people committing fraud…….

Benefits Fraud is estimated to cost tax payers £0.9 billion each year. West Wiltshire District Council treats Benefit fraud seriously and would like your help to ensure that it does not continue.

We use all our legal powers to protect public funds against fraud and have in place arrangements to deter fraudulent claims and to promptly identify abuse of the benefits system.

Our investigators receive and investigate cases referred by Customers and Council Officers. We value calls from members of the public on our 24 hour confidential hotline 01225 770301 (answer phone outside normal office hours).

We take an active stance against fraud and abuse, carrying out full and comprehensive enquiries, interviewing claimants and prosecuting offenders.

We also proactively seek to identify potential fraudulent activity and work closely with the Department of Works and Pensions, Inland Revenue and other partnership organisations to detect and reduce benefit fraud on behalf of you, the taxpayer.

Remember the person committing benefit fraud isn’t just Jack the lad! or Janet the lass! doing a bit on the side cash in hand or working for a bit of extra cash, they are stealing your money. The benefit system is there to help those people in need of help.

We do investigate all reported abuse.

Click here for information on types of benefit fraud and what to do if you suspect someone is committing benefit fraud.

How to report a suspected fraud to us?

It couldn’t be easier.

By phone 01225 770301 you will get to speak to one of our investigation staff, or

leave a confidential message on the out of hour answer machine. We will not ask you your name however, we do ask that you give us as much detailed information as possible. Names of those people involved? Address, names of employers, descriptions of those people involved. Places they frequent? are they known as a couple? Any vehicles owned or used by them?

or in writing or by printing off the benefit fraud referral form (PDF file, opens in new window), filling it in and sending it to:

Revenues and Benefits Service,
Fraud Referral,
West Wiltshire District Council,
Bradley Road,
Trowbridge
BA14 0RD.

All information will be treated in the strictest confidence.

Contact Us

If you require any help or have an enquiry we will be pleased to help.

Contact us in writing, by e-mail or by telephone:

Revenues and Benefits Service
West Wiltshire District Council
Bradley Road
Trowbridge
Wiltshire
BA14 0RD

Telephone: 01225 776655

E-mail: revenuesandbenefits@westwiltshire.gov.uk

We are here to help:

Monday - Thursday: 8:30am - 5:30pm
Friday: 8:30am - 5:00pm