Wealden District Council takes a very robust approach to protecting its assets and public funds by dealing with Fraud. The council has a very experienced fraud team working as part of Audit within business services and is a founder member of the East Sussex Counter Fraud Hub.
In November 2014 the team moved over to Audit from the Benefits Service after housing benefit investigations move to the DWP as part of the implementation of Universal Credit. They now concentrate their investigations around Housing Tenancy, Right to Buy, Council Tax Reduction Scheme, Business Rates and Planning plus any other area within the councils working area.
Wealden Counter Fraud Team has a proactive approach to investigations as well as having access to a host of support and intelligence data bases and applications. The investigators work closely with other enforcement organisations and teams dealing with fraud as well as working with other local authorities in the county.
The team has had several successful prosecutions in the two years it has been a part of the business services directorate as well as securing over £800,000 in savings and recoveries for the council.
If you know of or suspect a fraud you can report it to us using one of the following methods:-
- Call the fraud team in confidence on 01323 443350
- Email the Team – investigations@wealden.gov.uk
- Complete our online reporting form
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