Counter fraud and corruption

The Isle of Wight Council Anti-fraud, Bribery and Corruption Policy outlines our approach to prevention, detection, investigation and enforcement. The emphasis is on awareness and prevention wherever possible.

We recognise that measures to prevent fraud and corruption should be in proportion to the impact that such losses could cause and the likelihood of them occurring. We also recognise that measures should not affect the services provided to the majority of law abiding service users. We will seek to prosecute and recover any losses fraudulently obtained and, where necessary, the costs incurred in doing so.

We will consider all means available to recover those amounts including

• possession orders
• compensation claims
• civil litigation
• making an application for recovery from an employees pension fund
• general debt recovery

If you suspect fraud please report it using the appropriate contact details outlined on this page.

We have an Anti-Fraud, Bribery and Corruption Policy (PDF, 241KB, 9 pages).

Isle of Wight Council  Counter Fraud Performance 2023-2024

In accordance with the Local Government Transparency Code 2015, Internal Audit's involvement in counter fraud work is summarised below:

*Relates to Audit & Counter Fraud  staff (does not include other areas of the Council that may affect reported figures for example Trading Standards)

Although the total number of employees undertaking investigations and prosecutions of fraud are employed by Isle of Wight Council, investigations and prosecutions of fraud are also carried out for other clients, subject to the appropriate Service-Level agreements being in place.

The figure for total amount of time spent by the authority on the investigation and prosecution of fraud solely relates to investigations and prosecutions carried out on fraud against Isle of Wight Council. This is also the same for total number of cases investigated and the numbers of occasion's powers to require information have been used

We are required by law to protect the public funds we administer. We may share information provided to us with other bodies responsible for auditing or administering public funds. This is in order to prevent and detect fraud.

The Cabinet Office is responsible for carrying out data matching exercises. We are required to provide particular sets of data to the Minister for the Cabinet Office for matching for each exercise, this is explained in the national fraud initiative

Data matching involves comparing computer records held by one body against other computer records held by the same or another body to see how far they match. This is usually personal information. Computerised data matching allows potentially fraudulent claims and payments to be identified. Where a match is found it may indicate that there is an inconsistency which requires further investigation. No assumption can be made as to whether there is fraud, error or other explanation until an investigation is carried out.

We participate in the Cabinet Office’s national fraud initiative. A data matching exercise to assist in the prevention and detection of fraud. We are required to provide particular sets of data to the Minister for the Cabinet Office for matching for each exercise, as detailed here.

The use of data by the Cabinet Office in a data matching exercise is carried out with statutory authority under Part 6 of the Local Audit and Accountability Act 2014. It does not require the consent of the individuals concerned under the Data Protection Act 2018.

Data matching by the Cabinet Office is subject to a code of practice

View further information on the Cabinet Office’s legal powers and the reasons why it matches particular information.

We continue to work against fraud and corruption, and continually carry out proactive work to prevent fraud occurring. We need residents' help to find the fraudsters. Examples of concerns you may have are

• someone claiming a council tax discount or exemption fraudulently
• someone using an altered or forged blue badge
• someone misusing their resident's parking permit
• someone misusing their concessionary fares scheme card
• someone who has obtained fraudulent grants to improve their home
• dishonest behaviour by a member of staff or a council contractor

If you have any concerns, you can report fraud confidentially. Any concerns you have will be treated confidentially.

If you have a concern about housing tenancy fraud, including sub letting or abuse of the right to buy scheme, contact us. We will pass on the details to the relevant housing association for them to investigate.

If you have information about a suspected benefit fraud, you will need to contact the DWP National Benefit Fraud service. You can contact the service by the following methods:

• report online via gov.uk Report benefit fraud
• telephone 0800 854 4400
• textphone 0800 320 0512
• Write to BFH, PO Box 224, Preston, PR1 1GP
  

If you think you have personally been a victim of fraud then this should be reported to Action Fraud.

If the fraud involves use of your credit card, then this should be reported to the card provider / bank. They should then report it to Action Fraud.

If the fraud involves a company operating in our local area then please contact Trading Standards.