Fraud affecting London Borough of Bexley

Fraud costs the public sector an estimated £20 billion per year and £2 billion is lost by local government alone.

Fraud has an impact on the level of Council and Income Tax resources available to share amongst our community.

Our Assurance Service investigates all types of fraud and corruption allegations affecting the Council (including schools).

Whether you suspect our staff, partners, contractors or citizens, please don’t hesitate to report fraud.

Reporting fraud and corruption

You can report allegations of fraud to the Assurance Service by completing our fraud referral form.

Report a fraud

You do not have to give your name. However, anonymous referrals are more difficult to investigate. We are also unable to confirm receipt of anonymous referrals.

You can also email counter.fraud@bexley.gov.uk

Housing benefit fraud

Benefit fraud, including Housing Benefit, is investigated by the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP).

You can report suspected benefit fraud by calling the National Benefit Fraud Hotline on 0800 854 440.

For more information, please visit Benefit fraud.

Examples of fraud investigated by the team

  • social housing fraud such as unlawful subletting, false housing application and false tenancy succession application
  • Council Tax fraud such as falsely claiming to be single and receiving 25 per cent discount on your council tax or providing false information to receive Council Tax Support
  • Business Rates fraud such as companies falsely claiming empty property or charitable relief
  • insurance fraud such as people who make false or exaggerated insurance claims against the council for tripping on pavements
  • Direct Payments fraud such as people who falsely claim to be disabled to obtain care funds or dishonestly using funds for non-care purposes
  • Blue Badge fraud such as persistently and dishonestly displaying a Blue Badge without the genuine holder being present, displaying a Blue Badge that has been reported lost/stolen, is counterfeit/forged (altered) or where the badge holder is deceased

Corruption

Council officers are not permitted to accept bribes and bribing a council officer is a serious criminal offence.

If you know of anyone at the council who has accepted a bribe or who has asked for money or other personal benefits to make a particular decision, please tell us about it.

Our policy

Read our anti-fraud and corruption strategy (PDF).