Benefit Fraud

It occurs when someone applies for government grants by submitting fallacious information like seeking unemployment benefits while working or seeking financial support for living alone but being financially backed by a partner. 

Nevertheless, the circumstances may change in certain cases, like the partner getting a job or their death- leaving you some income or otherwise. Of course, all such modifications in circumstances should be reported, but if not, it leads to "fraud by omission."

How To Spot It?

In some cases, a person benefits by using someone else's identity. For example, if you have applied for state housing but are informed that you do not qualify in your area and have had housing before, it may happen due to identity theft. 

In child benefit and guardian allowance frauds, the claimant seeks benefits by lying about the child's circumstances and failing to declare the authentic details. For example, they may have left home, are 16 years old, left school, and started working. But, they seek an allowance that does not exist. 

To investigate such cases, a team wearing plain clothes may visit the home and workplace of the person asking for the benefit to find if the person is getting authentic benefits or they are not entitled to it.

Some of the common examples of such cases are –

• We provide fake information about injury or sickness to gain unemployment/disability claims.

• Failing to report the gains through a new job makes the income appear lower.

• I am living with someone contributing to the household income without declaring it to the authorities.

• Gaining tax benefits, one is not entitled to.

The investigators can gain evidence to prove the crime through surveillance, document tracing or interviews. For example, the investigation team would notify the person in writing or by telephone before conducting an investigation. Then, they produce proofs through videos, photos, audio recordings or bank statements. 

They may even check their social media account and the person's profile pictures to keep track of their life and habits. If the expense and lifestyle habits are not as per the information mentioned in the claim forms, they can gather evidence against the person.