As part of International Fraud Awareness Week (13-19 November) – St Helens Council is running a Fraud Awareness campaign to encourage people to report fraud committed against the council.
Every year, £billions of taxpayer money is lost due to fraud. This is money that should be used to improve your local community and services provided by your council.
Types of fraud committed against councils include:
· Council Tax – discount / exemptions fraud
· Non-Domestic Rates fraud
· Personal budgets / social care fraud
· Tenancy / housing fraud
· Blue Badge fraud
· Theft / Misuse of council property
· Council staff fraud
· Insurance fraud
· Procurement fraud
St Helens Council’s Cabinet Member for Corporate Services, Councillor Anthony Johnson said:
“By running campaigns like this, it will help people feel more confident in stepping forward to report those responsible for abusing the system – so that they are punished accordingly.”
For more information on the different types of fraud – or to report fraud being committed against St Helens Council, please visit www.sthelens.gov.uk/fraud
Alternatively you can contact the Fraud Hotline 0800 953 0217.
Benefit fraud is investigated transferred to the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) and can be reported by visiting www.gov.uk/benefit-fraud or by ringing 0800 854 440.