Benefit Fraud

Services

Benefit Fraud

Getting the Benefit - Getting it Right.

Like all local authorities, West Lothian Council has a duty to stop fraud in the Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit schemes. Fraud costs every council money and it is the vast majority of honest claimants and Council Taxpayers who are left to pick up the bill.

To stop fraud getting into the system in the first place, we must ask everyone for proof of their details when they make a new claim and when we review their claim. Only original documents will be accepted as evidence in support of a claim.

To get fraud out of the system, the council has a Benefit Investigation Team. This team also works closely with the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) to find and stamp out fraud. The council has a fraud strategy and prosecution policy for fraud cases.

During 2009/2010 in the West Lothian area, our investigators caught 116 benefit cheats claiming Housing and Council Tax benefit that they were not entitled to. As a result of our investigations we identified £452,888 in overpaid benefit (includes overpaid DWP benefits) and measures are in place to reclaim this money.

If you know or suspect that Benefit Fraud is taking place, you can telephone the council's fraud hotline on Freephone 0800 328 6340 Mon - Fri between 8.00 am and 6.00 pm. You can also report fraud using the link on the right - under Online Tools or by clicking here (new window) . You can also write to us at:

Revenues Unit
St David House
South Bridge Street
Bathgate
EH48 1TT

Any information provided will be treated in the strictest confidence and will be used only for the prevention or detection of a crime.

Focus on Fraud Awareness

Learn more about Benefit Fraud by viewing the presentation - Focus on Fraud awareness (new window)

Downloadable documents

Frequently Asked Questions

Click a question to see the answer.

How do I report benefit fraud?

You can report benefit fraud online by clicking the Benefit Fraud Reporting Form, in the Online Tools section at the top of this page or by calling the Council Fraud Hotline on 0800 328 6340. Lines are open between 8am and 6pm, Mon - Fri. It is free and confidential.

What are some examples of benefit fraud?

Typical examples of benefit fraud are:- People who work, but don't declare this when they submit their claim. People who claim as a single person, but actually live with a partner. People who claim from an address, but do not live there. People who do not tell the Council the full amount of income, savings or capital they have when they claim benefit. People who for any reason do not have any right to claim Housing Benefit or Council Tax benefit.

What is benefit fraud?

People are committing benefit fraud where they are claiming Housing and or Council Tax Benefit or Social Security benefits where they have no right to entitlement.