Thousands saved in housing fraud cases
More than £340,000 has been saved in the fight against housing fraud in the last 12 months by Dudley Council.
The local authority has a dedicated team that investigates claims of people who have fraudulently applied for, obtained or illegally sub-let a council property or suspected to not use their property as their main or principal home.
There were 577 reports of suspected housing fraud reported to the team in the last year and fraud was proven in 56 cases.
Of the proven cases, 11 properties were recovered, 15 housing applications were cancelled due to false declarations, 10 applicants were excluded preventing them reapplying for council housing in the future and there were six prosecutions of fraud.
It is estimated that the team’s investigations have saved the council a notional value of £346,000 in fraud prevention.
Councillor Laura Taylor-Childs, cabinet member for housing and community services, said:
It’s international fraud awareness week this week, an opportune time to remind people what they can do to help us tackle suspected cases of housing fraud.
For every case we investigate and identify housing fraud has taken place, we are protecting our housing stock to ensure only those who are genuinely eligible and in need are living in our homes.
Please help us, be our eyes and ears and report anyone who you think might be committed fraud.
People can report suspected housing fraud anonymously by contacting the fraud hotline on 01384 814242 or emailing hotline@dudley.gov.uk