This year, International Fraud Awareness Week runs from Sunday 11 November to Saturday 17 November.
The Shared Anti-Fraud Service (SAFS), of which Broxbourne Council is a partner, will be using this campaign to further highlight its efforts to combat fraud and make it easier for the public to report criminal behaviour.
Fraud offences cost Hertfordshire’s local authorities more than £100m a year (Broxbourne calculates at £2,061,288). Types of offences include tenancy fraud, staff fraud, blue badge abuse, council tax fraud, single person discount fraud, contract fraud, and insurance fraud.
Residents are encouraged to report any suspected fraudulent activity online, by emailing fraud.team@hertscc.gcsx.gov.uk or telephoning 0300 123 4033. They can do so anonymously. They can also join the conversation on Twitter by searching for #SpotTheCheater.
Councillor Ayling, Cabinet Member for Finance at Broxbourne Council, says “When people commit fraud, they are stealing from honest tax payers and that is not acceptable. I ask residents to do the right thing – if they suspect someone is cheating the system, they should report them – which they can do anonymously.”
Further information about International Fraud Week can be found online.