Report fraud to us

Report fraud to us

Fraud is when someone lies or uses trickery for a personal or financial benefit, either for themselves or for someone else, that they wouldn’t otherwise be entitled to (such as a council tax discount or a council house).

Benefit fraud

Benefit fraud is when someone claims or continues to claim, on purpose, benefits they’re not entitled to. This includes Universal Credit, Housing Benefit, Working Tax Credit and Job Seeker’s Allowance.  Someone might commit benefit fraud by:

  • not telling the government that they live with a partner or spouse
  • not declaring they are working
  • lying about income or number of hours worked
  • withholding information that affects how much support they can get. 

Newcastle City Council does not investigate benefit fraud.  You must report benefit fraud to the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP).  

Report benefit fraud to the DWP 
 

Report fraud to Newcastle City Council

If you think you are a victim of fraud, or suspect that someone is committing fraud or corruption against or within Newcastle City Council, please report it. We can investigate fraud related to:

  • Blue Badge scheme
  • business rates
  • contractors or suppliers
  • council staff
  • council tax
  • grant scheme applications
  • insurance
  • permit parking schemes
  • school admissions
  • social care payments
  • social housing tenancy fraud (including council housing and applications).

Report fraud to us online
 

If you are unable to use the online form, you can also email fraud@newcastle gov.uk or call 0191 277 1166.

You can remain anonymous or provide contact details so we can contact you to discuss the allegation. Either way we will keep your identity confidential.
 

Types of fraud

Blue Badge scheme 

You may commit Blue Badge scheme fraud by:

  • using a Blue Badge when it is no longer required (e.g. the holder has died)
  • using a Blue Badge that does not belong to you when the holder is not in the vehicle or when the vehicle is not being used to pick up or drop off the badge holder
  • giving the Blue Badge to someone else to allow them to park for free, including when they are visiting you.
Business rates fraud 

Business rates fraud is when someone deliberately gives false or misleading information so that they can pay lower or no business rates including:

  • not telling us about running a business in a property
  • lying about a business to pay lower or no business rates (e.g. business type, location).
Contractor or supplier fraud 

A business might commit contractor or supplier fraud by:

  • offering gifts or services to a councillor or council officer in return for a contract.
Council employee fraud or corruption

Corruption and fraud can occur in any business and can include:

  • an officer or councillor abusing their position for gain
  • making a false or exaggerated expense claim.
Council tax fraud

You may commit council tax fraud if you apply for discounts or reductions on your bill by lying about:

  • who lives in a property
  • the circumstances of those living in the property (such as whether they are a student)
  • whether the property is occupied.
Grant scheme fraud 

It is fraud if individuals or organisations:

  • provide false information or evidence when applying for grant funding.

Grant money must be used for its intended purpose. The Council will investigate reports of misuse or misspending of grant funding.

Insurance fraud 

Insurance fraud is when you:

  • submit a false or exaggerated claim against the council to obtain a pay out or compensation.
Permit parking scheme fraud

Permit parking scheme fraud is:

  • using a fake or forged parking permit to park in restricted parking zones
  • providing false information or evidence to obtain a parking permit.
School admissions fraud

You could commit fraud if you: 

  • lie about a child’s address or family circumstances to gain a place in a school.
Social care payment fraud

Social care payment fraud includes:

  • lying about circumstances to get money that you would not otherwise be entitled to (e.g. failing to declare income during a financial assessment)
  • direct payment fraud, where a person receiving care, or someone acting on their behalf, misuses money they receive from us
  • care providers claiming payment for care or services that have not been provided.

Financial abuse of a vulnerable person should be reported at Report adult abuse or safeguarding concerns | Newcastle City Council.

Social housing tenancy fraud

Social housing tenancy fraud includes:

Abandonment by:

  • moving out of your council house and not informing the council
  • not moving in and failing to inform the council.

Application fraud by:

  • lying about your circumstances to gain a council house
  • providing false information to move up the housing waiting list
  • failing to declare information requested from you e.g. criminal convictions.

Sub-letting fraud by: 

  • renting any part of the property to somebody else without council permission
  • renting out all of the property to someone else
  • handing over the property to someone else whilst living elsewhere.

Right to Buy fraud by:

  • lying or providing false information to enable you to buy a council house with a discount under the Right to Buy scheme.

Succession fraud by:

  • lying about living in a council house to enable you to take over the tenancy after someone has died.
Other fraud

We may also investigate other frauds against us, not listed above, if you report them. 

Support for fraud victims

If you think you are a victim of fraud, please contact Action Fraud who can offer advice and support by:

Welfare and safety concerns

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