Report benefit fraud

If you suspect that someone is fraudulently claiming housing benefit, call our fraud hotline on 0800 052 1010, email us on fraud.hotline@southwark.gov.uk or use the online fraud report form.

Examples of the fraudulent means of obtaining benefits that we encounter are:

• Claimants failing to declare income from employment, a student loan or bursary, occupational pensions or tax credits. 
• Not declaring savings, investments or property owned.
• Not living at the property.
• Claiming in more than one identity.
• Not declaring living with a partner who is working.
• Falsifying wage details.
• Failing to declare a private or occupational pension.
• Claiming housing benefit on a property owned by the claimant or a close relative.

The use of data matching enables fraud investigators to cross-check benefit claims against income tax, national insurance and pension databases and share information with government departments. Investigators have legal powers to look at financial records, such as bank statements, mortgage accounts and bills, if they have reason to suspect fraud.

The council may also use credit reference agency data matches to identify other people living in your household. Once detected, we can prevent further losses, recover the overpayments and prosecute the offenders.

Prosecutions and sanctions

Benefit fraud is a criminal offence that will attract prosecution in court or a local authority sanction, as permitted under existing legislation. Southwark council is committed to taking the appropriate action as stated in its sanction policy.

Proceeds of crime

Additional steps will be taken where appropriate to seize property or cash from the fraudster under Proceeds of Crime law.

Report change in your circumstances

If you have claimed benefit and find that you have failed to notify us of a change in your circumstances, please tell us now in one of the following ways.

• Email us on benefits@southwark.gov.uk
• Call us on 020 7525 1880
• Complete and return a change in circumstances form
• Visit one of the following offices:
  • Peckham One Stop Shop
    Ground Floor
    Peckham library
    122 Peckham Hill Street
    Peckham
    London
    SE15 5JR
  • Walworth One Stop Shop
    151 Walworth Road
    London
    SE17 1RY
  • Dulwich area housing office
    41-43 East Dulwich Road
    Dulwich
    SE22 9BY

Find out more information on the Department for Works and Pensions benefit fraud website.

More information about fraud

• Benefit fraud
• Tenancy fraud