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Council Tax discounts and exemptions

Report Council Tax or benefits fraud

Use the links below to guide you to the correct section for your referral:

Council Tax discounts and exemptions fraud

Council Tax fraud costs the UK around £60 million a year nationally.

It is our responsibility as a Local Authority to ensure that Council Tax discounts or exemptions are only in place for those in our community who are rightfully entitled to receive it. 

Eligibility for these discounts or exemptions depend on your current situation and circumstances, but does not take account of income or savings.

Examples of Council Tax discounts and exemptions fraud

  • People providing false information about their circumstances
  • People receiving a discount or exemption that they are not entitled to
  • People not reporting changes in their circumstances, which is a legal requirement
  • People not letting us know of a partner, living in the property
  • People not letting us know of other adults over the age of 18, living in the property
  • People not notifying the council of their unoccupied properties
  • People claiming to live in a property, but not declaring another property that they own

Council Tax Reduction fraud

Council Tax Reduction is means-tested benefits which help people on low income pay rent or Council Tax, on the home they live in. We run the scheme using regulations set out by the Government.

Council Tax Reduction is a scheme which reduces the amount payable on a Council Tax bill based on the person’s income, the size of their family and how much they have to pay. The eligibility criteria for Council Tax Reduction are clearly set out . It is a legal requirement to let us know about any changes in your circumstances.

Examples of Council Tax Reduction fraud

  • People providing false information about their circumstances
  • People not reporting changes in circumstances, which is a legal requirement
  • People not letting us know of other adults, for example a partner, living in the property whose income may affect their entitlement to benefit
  • Having undeclared income, capital or savings
  • People claiming for an address they don’t live at

Report suspected Council Tax fraud

We take reports of fraud very seriously and monitor closely for any sign of potential fraud. However, we cannot necessarily spot everything and we encourage you to report suspected fraudulent activity where possible.

You can report your suspicions of Council Tax discounts, exemptions and reduction fraud directly to us:

Complete our online form to report fraud   

or

  • Call the fraud hotline on 01432 260698
  • Write to us at: Counter Fraud Department, Corporate Services, Plough Lane Offices, Hereford, HR4 0LE

Your referral will be taken in complete confidence and any personal information provided will be treated as strictly confidential.

Please provide us with as much detail as possible so that we can investigate the matter effectively. Where a referral does not provide us with enough detailed information about the matter, it may not be possible to investigate.

You can report fraud anonymously. However, in most cases it would help us if you leave your contact details, so that we can contact you for further information should we need it.

How we deal with Council Tax fraud reports

The Council will be able to investigate fraud referrals relating to Council Tax discounts, exemptions and reduction. Claims can potentially be terminated retrospectively, depending on the circumstances. As the informant, we cannot tell you what action we take based on your report.

Any individual that intentionally and dishonestly provides false information to obtain Council Tax Support schemes, may be investigated under the Council Tax Reduction Schemes (Detection of Fraud and Enforcement) (England) Regulations 2013, and other relevant legislation, and therefore may also be liable for prosecution.

Avoid committing Council Tax fraud

You can avoid committing fraud by telling us about any changes in your circumstances as soon as they happen.

Housing Benefit fraud (DWP)

Housing Benefit is a means-tested benefit which helps people on low income pay rent on the home they live in.

It is our responsibility as a Local Authority to ensure that Housing Benefit is only in place for those in our community who are rightfully entitled to receive it. The eligibility criteria for Housing Benefit are clearly set out and it is straightforward to let us know if circumstances change.

Report suspected Housing Benefit fraud (DWP)

We do not deal with referrals of benefit fraud (such as Housing Benefit or Universal Credit). They are investigated by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP).

You can: