We are anxious to ensure that people who are entitled to benefits receive all the help they need. We do, however, consider benefit fraud to be a serious offence against not only the Council and the Government, but against society as a whole. Bath and North East Somerset Council has a dedicated and professional Investigation Department that explores all avenues of enquiry to investigate allegations of fraud and gather the evidence required to prove or disprove that an offence has been committed.

Nationally it's estimated that £2 billion is stolen by benefit cheats every year - that's £80 from every household in Britain. This is money that could be much better spent in our hospitals, schools and other vital services. 

Make no mistake – Benefit Fraud is a crime. Bath and North East Somerset Council awards approximately £40 million of Housing and Council Tax Benefit every year.  Between 2006 and 2008 the Investigation Department identified £368,130k of benefit fraud.

Help us to stop fraud

If you suspect that someone is claiming benefit fraudulently please let us know. All information is kept strictly confidential and you do not have to give your name and address if you do not want to. This section will help you report your suspicions and indicate the type of information we need.

Don’t be put off because you don’t know everything on the list, even the smallest item of information may be the piece that makes the difference between a successful investigation and a negative enquiry.

Reporting Suspicions of Fraud

Results of Recent Cases

Investigation Service and our Values

Law