Benefit fraud cases (FOI)

​Request  

A.

Please could you let me know how many cases of benefit fraud have been both reported and investigated in the past five years giving a year by year break-down.

B.

How many allegations came from members of the public in each year?

C.

How many were proven to be fraudulent cases in each year?

D.

Please also breakdown the value of the fraud in any cases.

E.

Could you also confirm the process taken by the States when it comes to checks and balances to avoid benefit fraud, and the sanctions available in such cases.

Response 

The Social Security Department considers and treats fraudulent benefit claims very seriously.  Fortunately, the number of fraud cases which necessitate a criminal prosecution is relatively low. We are very conscious of our obligation to protect the taxpayers who fund these benefits, and to recognise genuine claimants who do not abuse the benefits available to them at times of need. The actions of the fraud team ensure that a deterrent is in place for any fraudulent activity.

A​​​.

All leads relating to potential benefit fraud are evaluated based upon the quality of the information provided, the likely risk of the fraud occurring, and the value of any potential overpayment. From 2013, the National Intelligence Model (NIM) was introduced within the Social Security Fraud Team in Jersey; this is a model used by UK enforcement officers for grading intelligence, decision making and assessing risk. This enabled the fraud team to adopt an established approach of intelligence grading that brought it in line with international standards.

After evaluation, the cases are prioritised and then investigated accordingly. Often leads are identified as genuine mistakes from claimants rather than fraud and these can be quickly rectified and repayment arranged.

Cases reported

• 2011: 969 reported and all investigated
• 2012: 868 reported and all investigated
• 2013: 782 reported and 721 investigated
• 2014: 706 reported and 568 investigated
• 2015: 729 reported and 537 investigated

​​​B​.

In October 2010 the Social Security Department launched a benefit Fraud Awareness campaign which is ongoing. This resulted in an initial high level of allegations in 2011.

• 2011: 969 allegations from members of the public
• 2012: 616 allegations from members of the public
• 2013: 587 allegations from members of the public
• 2014: 514 allegations from members of the public
• 2015: 515 allegations from members of the public
  

​C​​.

Wherever possible, the fraud team aims to recover incorrectly claimed benefit by asking the claimant to pay the money back, and by reducing or stopping the benefit claimed. However, the Social Security Department will, in every case, pursue all monies falsely claimed either fraudulently or otherwise. 

In the event that fraud is suspected investigations are conducted in accordance with PPACE (Police Procedures and Criminal Evidence (Jersey) Law 2003), and RIPL (Regulation of Investigatory Powers (Jersey) Law 2005. 

The time taken to conclude an investigation varies depending on the nature and complexity of the case. A complex case referred for criminal prosecution can take months from beginning to end and can therefore extend into the following year.

Within the time period below, the Social Security Department has won every fraudulent case it has pursued through the criminal judicial system.

The number of cases that resulted in criminal prosecutions is as follows:

• 2011: 4 prosecutions
• 2012: 4 prosecutions
• 2013: 0 prosecutions
• 2014: 6 prosecutions
• 2015: 7 prosecutions

D​​​.

These figures related to the criminal prosecutions listed above:

E.

The process is as follows:

Social Security offers the general public various methods in which to report fraud. Fraud referrals are received by the free-phone 24-hour hotline 0800 735 1111, the SOJ website, by email to the benefit fraud team, anonymous letters and personal callers to the department.

Social Security also identifies cases of potential fraud through data sharing with the Taxes Office, ongoing training, intelligence received from external agencies and internal checks and measures which are part of the general operational standards and processes of the benefits teams.

All leads are evaluated using the National Intelligence Model (NIM).

After evaluation, the cases are prioritised and then investigated accordingly.

Leads are often identified as genuine mistakes, rather than fraud, and these can be quickly rectified and repayment arranged. 

In the event that fraud is suspected investigations are conducted in accordance with PPACE (Police Procedures and Criminal Evidence (Jersey) Law 2003), and RIPL (Regulation of Investigatory Powers (Jersey) Law 2005.