Over 20 million people in the UK currently claim benefits or State Pension from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) to assist with daily living expenses.
At the start of 2022, the UK Government unveiled plans to plans to inject over £500 million into the DWP to assist with its crackdown on fraudulent Universal Credit claims.
As reported by the Daily Record, the DWP was able to prevent more than £1.9 billion of fraud from taking place during the first year of the Covid-19 pandemic.
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The UK Government will reportedly use the money to enhance the DWP's ability to investigate and stop benefit fraud and catch scammers.
Approximately 2,000 trained investigators are undertaking property checks, researching the earning declarations of self-employed claimants and cross-checking bank details.
According to the DWP, benefit fraud is defined by an individual obtaining "state benefit they are not entitled to" or purposefully failing "to report a change in their personal circumstances”.
A common type of benefit fraud occurs when an individual claims unemployment benefits even though they are in work, while another involves claimants who state that they live by themselves but are actually supported by a partner or spouse.
Failure to inform the DWP regarding a "change in circumstances" — such as that your partner is now living with you, that you have moved home or that you have been left money by a deceased relative — may be counted as 'fraud by omission'.
It can be worrying to be accused of fraud by the UK Government, especially when you are unsure of the reason for the investigation.
A lot of investigators wear everyday clothes and can show up on your doorstep or place of employment at any moment.
To help alleviate some of the stress associated with an investigation, it can be helpful to have some knowledge about what will take place.
Common examples of benefit fraud
faking an illness or injury to get unemployment or disability benefits
failing to report income from a business or employment to make income seem lower than it actually is
living with someone who contributes to the household income without declaring that income to the authorities
falsifying accounts to make it seem like a person has less money than they say they do
The DWP will need to find proof that a claimant is receiving money they are not actually entitled to.
Investigators have a large variety of powers that can help them obtain evidence through a variety of means, such as surveillance, interviews and document tracing.
However, you will not learn the full details of an investigation being carried out against you until it is complete, which may mean you won't know until you appear in court charged with an offence.
A frequent misconception is that only the people who openly scam the DWP get investigated for benefits fraud and other crimes, but the UK Government department may be investigating any claimant at any time.
What happens during a DWP investigation?
If the DWP is to begin a formal investigation, they will alert you either through a phone call, email, or letter.
Once you have been made aware, you will also be told whether Fraud Investigation Officer (FIO) will pay you a visit, or whether you are required to go to an interview.
You may not be told an investigation is taking place until it has been determined that there is sufficient evidence to launch a formal investigation.
Numerous tip offs and reports end up being false, so the DWP needs to ensure that it does not waste its time and resources on a fruitless investigation.
Once sufficient evidence has been gathered, you will be informed of the investigation.
DWP investigators are allowed to gather many types of evidence against a potentially fraudulent claimant.
Most common types of evidence
inspector reports from surveillance activities
photographs or videos
audio recordings
correspondence
financial data, including bank statements
interviews with you or people you know
any evidence submitted by those who reported you
A frequent type of benefit fraud occurs when people fail to report their income, or put down a false value.
If you receive unemployment benefits but are observed attending a place of work, the DWP may seek to have a discussion with the owner or manager of the business.
Investigators may also check your social media accounts and search your online profiles for pictures, location check-ins, and other evidence which may or may not be useful to them.
Those who use social media a lot will leave a trail of their life and habits, often allowing investigators to piece together a picture of what that person’s life actually looks like.
If this is not consistent with the details of that person’s claim for benefits, that evidence may end up being used against them.
What if I am falsely reported to the DWP?
False reports of benefit fraud are common in the UK, with some studies indicating there are around 140,000 made each year.
Until the DWP determines that there is no case against you, there is little you can do. Co-operate as best as you can and remember that those found to have reported falsely through malicious reasons may end up being prosecuted.
If you are concerned about a current or future DWP investigation against you or someone you care about, seeking advice from a legal expert could help.
Citizens Advice Scotland may also be able to offer free and impartial advice, you can contact them here.
You can report fraud by calling MyGov.Scot free on 0800 158 2071 or by post here.
