Benefit fraud is falsely claiming money from the government. Typically, defrauding a government by falsely claiming state help or money. It is the subject of much media frenzy in the UK and Australia.

Recently, the United Kingdom Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has launched an aggressive campaign against benefit frauds and thefts using visual media using "No ifs, No buts" as slogan to raise awareness.

Prosecution may occur under the Social Security Administration Act or Theft Act.

Types of fraud that are committed are where people claim they are living alone, but are living with other people and do not give information on them. Claims are also made from empty properties, or people do not give details of all their income or capital.

However persons who wish to supply the Department for Work and Pensions material evidence of a fraud must do so at their own expense, eg. The cost of postage. A person can continue committing a fraud if the person reporting it is not willing to pay for the cost of reporting it. A fraud can be reported online but if it involves material evidence which is not supplied it will be treated as an unfounded allegation.

The Department for Work and Pensions policy on unfounded allegations is, Quote; "Referrals will be checked against these records to ensure that where previous investigations found that the allegation was unfounded no action will be taken unless there is significant new information or a different allegation"

An example of benefit fraud : http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/norfolk/7264989.stm

External links

• Benefit fraud ring funds Islamic terrorists, The Telegraph, November 18 2001
• What is a benefit fraud by the Department for Work and Pensions, UK.