Benefit fraud

Woking Borough Council is committed to protecting public funds, including those used in the payment of Housing and Council Tax Benefits.  Council staff will at all times seek to ensure that benefit payments are made only to those persons who are genuinely entitled to receive them. 

The failure to declare, within a reasonable time, changes in circumstances whilst on Housing Benefit, and/or the provision of information knowing to be incorrect or incomplete, are offences for which prosecution will be considered by the Council.

What is Fraud?

Fraud can be defined as the deliberate misrepresentation of circumstances, or the deliberate failure to notify changes of circumstances with the intent of gaining some advantage.  Benefit fraud can take place in a number of forms, such as someone:

  • deliberately failing to declare all their income or savings. 
  • claiming as a single person or lone parent who in fact has a partner living with them.
  • creating a fictitious landlord and claiming Housing Benefit on a property they in fact own themselves.
  • making a completely false claim where the person claiming benefit does not exist.

This list is not exhuastive.  You must tell us when you have a change in circumstances, as failure to notify us of this change may be considered fraud.

Reporting A Benefit Fraud

If you wish to report a fraud which is occurring within the Borough of Woking you can:

If you wish to report a fraud occurring outside the Borough please ring the National Fraud Hot-line on 0800 328 6340.

The information you provide will be treated in the strictest confidence and you can remain anonymous if you wish.