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Developing Partnerships to Tackle Fraud

Developing Partnerships to Tackle Fraud. Who we are Munim Farid – Special Projects (Consultant) Karen Lengthorn – Special Projects Manager Carol Owen – A-FACT Manager Lewisham Council Juliet Bennett – A-FACT Lewisham Council

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Developing Partnerships to Tackle Fraud

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  1. Developing Partnerships to Tackle Fraud • Who we are • Munim Farid – Special Projects (Consultant) • Karen Lengthorn – Special Projects Manager • Carol Owen – A-FACT Manager Lewisham Council • Juliet Bennett – A-FACT Lewisham Council Lewisham Homes in partnership with the Lewisham Council’s Anti-Fraud and Corruption Team (A-FACT) and South East London Housing Partnership (SELHP)

  2. Anti-Fraud & Corruption Policy • Lewisham Homes has an approved Anti-Fraud and Corruption Policy through which it aims to eradicate fraud and corruption. • Other Policies which strengthen its commitment include: • Code of Conduct Board Members and Employees • Gifts and Hospitality • Wired Working Policy • Whistle blowing • Register of Personal Interests (PO9+) • Maintenance of a Fraud Register • Introduction of an Acceptable Use Policy (inc phone monitoring and use of CCTV

  3. Partnership • Local Authority • A-FACT • Homeless Persons Unit • Housing Applications • Housing Benefit • Council tax • Registry Office • National Fraud Initiative • London Borough of Southwark (SELHP) • RSL’s • Department of Works and Pensions

  4. Prevention and Detection of Fraud By Tenants: • Occupancy Checks • Detail Investigations ( A-FACT) • Detail Investigations (South East London Housing Partnership) • Including National Fraud Initiative By Officers • Any incidents relating to officers are sent to the Anti-Fraud & Corruption Team to investigate and report back to Lewisham Homes SMT By Contractors and Suppliers

  5. How we receive and investigate referrals: Receive from • Fraud Hotline • Tenants and members of the public writing in • Suspicious tenancy activity • Staff • Repairs and caretaking staff • Contractors undertaking gas checks Use the following systems • Data Analysis • National Fraud Initiative • Housing system • Housing Benefit • Council Tax • Customer View ( Experian) • Legal Landlord • Land Registry • Door Knocking

  6. Results 49 Legal cases

  7. Sanctions Sub-Letting • Civil Proceedings to recover property under Housing Act 1985 • Civil Proceedings under ‘Unjust Enrichment’ recent test case (November 2010) tenant ordered to pay £7,179.52 property repossessed • Criminal Prosecution under Fraud Act 2006 (undertaken where evidence is robust) Officer Fraud: • Disciplinary action leading to dismissal • Criminal Prosecution • Or both Criminal Prosecution – may involve the use of Proceeds of Crime Act Publicity of successes

  8. Achieving it’s commitment • Establishing an anti-fraud and corruption culture by: • Issuing and updating procedures • Publishing approach and successes • Training Board members, Managers and officers • Future Training of the Staff will include: • ID Fraud and case studies • Immigration status rules • Rights of EU members to benefits within the UK • How to produce witness statements for criminal prosecutions

  9. Finally together in partnership we can…

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