At the start of International Fraud Awareness Week (17th to 23rd November), the council has shone a spotlight on the work of its Counter Fraud Team, which works to investigate a wide range of fraud, perpetrated by those that divert taxpayers’ money from the public purse for their own personal benefit.
Amid a shortage of social housing, and with over 4,700 Lambeth families and individuals in temporary accommodation, the need to detect and prevent tenancy fraud has never been more acute. Tenancy Fraud directly impacts individuals, families and communities by preventing those that need social housing from being able to secure tenancies. The “Lost Homes, Lost Hope” report estimates that 1 in 20 London social homes is subject to some form of tenancy fraud.
Since April alone, Lambeth’s Counter Fraud Team has made £3.3million of savings in taxpayers’ money – recovering 60 properties subject to tenancy fraud, and prevented seven fraudulent Right to Buy Applications.
Word from the Cabinet
Councillor Danny Adilypour, Deputy Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Housing, Investment and New Homes said: “Our anti-fraud team works hard every day of the year to protect Lambeth and its residents from those who try to cheat the system for financial gain. Tackling housing fraud is crucial, but it is only part of their work to prevent fraud across the board.
“International Fraud Awareness Week is a good opportunity to raise awareness of the damage fraud can do, and how we can work together to tackle this serious crime. If anyone suspects a fraud is being committed, anywhere, I’d urge them to follow the available advice and report it straight away.”
Lambeth will be taking part in a series of activities to mark International Fraud Awareness Week, underlining the need for all residents in our community to be aware of the growing risk of fraud and the impact it can have.
During Fraud Awareness Week the council is reminding residents of the proactive steps they can take to help us detect and prevent this crime.
What proactive steps can residents take to help us deal with fraud?
- Recognise the signs of Tenancy Fraud
- Unoccupied properties
- New people entering the property to stay with bags or suitcases (This could indicate the property is being used as a short term let)
- New occupants subletting the property
- Keep a record of what you saw so you don’t forget
- Write the name and description of individuals you have seen, address of the property
- Note the date and times of the event
- Report it through the Online Reporting tool: https://report-fraud.co.uk/lambeth/lambethfraud
