Benefit fraud

Benefit fraud is a serious crime, which is a theft from the taxpayer. West Oxfordshire District Council has a dedicated benefit fraud team to prevent, detect and prosecute those making fraudulent applications.

Benefit fraud can take many forms, most notably:

Where information has been falsely given to obtain benefits, or
Where an application has been correctly made but a change in circumstances have knowingly, not been reported.

Report benefit fraud

Our benefit investigation team relies on help from the public to detect and prevent fraudulent applications being made. If you suspect someone is fraudulently receiving benefits, they are several ways you can let us know:

Report suspected benefit fraud online or
call our confidential fraud hotline on 01993 861234 (an answer machine is available outside office hours) or
write to:

Benefit services
P.O. Box 302
Witney
Oxfordshire
OX28 1WP

You do not have to give your name when providing us with information. If you do, your details will not be passed on.

You will be asked to provide as much information as possible to help us to investigate the application. The kind of information we would ask for is:

The name and address of the person you suspect
A description of the person including any distinguishing marks such as tattoo's
Why you suspect them of fraud
Information about their car, if they have one

How the information will be used

Once we receive your information we will review the application and investigate the report. If enough information is received and we find that there are inconsistencies in the application we will undertake a full investigation and invite the applicant for an interview to discuss their application.