We want to make sure benefits go to the people who need them, so if you think anyone is abusing the system by claiming benefits that they aren't entitled to, please let us know.

Our Internal Audit and Anti-Fraud team has successfully prosecuted many fraudulent cases and are investigating many more.

It works with other teams in the Royal Borough of Greenwich, such as Benefits and Revenues, Council Tax and Housing Services, as well as the Metropolitan Police and other enforcement agencies.

How to report a fraud

To report a potential fraud, telephone the benefit fraud hotline. We treat all reports in the strictest of confidence.

Report benefit theft to the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP)

Verification of benefit claims

The government introduced the Verification Framework in 1999. The aim of the framework is to detect and deter fraudulent Housing Benefit and Council Tax Support claims. As part of this process we ask that people provide original documentation in support of their claim.

We check and verify all original documents in our offices. Only documents that have been verified by our staff can be used to make an assessment.

At any stage during the claim, we may write to the benefit claimant and ask them to provide up-to-date details of their circumstances.

We also aim to visit all Housing Benefit and Council Tax Support claimants at their home address during the life of their claim.