Fraud and corruption
This page is about our Corporate Anti Fraud and Anti Corruption Team, how to report suspected fraud and corruption and our Anti Fraud and Anti Corruption Policy.
Fraud is a serious matter that affects both the council and the local area. We are committed to ensuring that fraud and corruption is reduced and the risk minimised by operating a zero-tolerance culture of fraud corruption.
The council has a dedicated Corporate Anti Fraud and Anti Corruption Team with qualified and accredited investigators. Where fraud or corruption is suspected we will take immediate action in a firm and controlled manner to investigate the allegation, recover any losses, prevent the fraud from happening again, and take legal action where necessary.
Types of fraud the Corporate Anti Fraud and Anti Corruption Team investigate
Our Corporate Anti Fraud and Anti Corruption Team are committed to the prevention, detection and investigation of various types of fraud and corruption.
This can include acts such as:
- benefit fraud
- application fraud
- council tax discount fraud
- offences committed by staff members and contractors.
Report it
If you suspect someone of committing fraud or corruption, you should make an immediate note of your concerns and report them using the Corporate Anti Fraud and Anti Corruption Team online referral form.
Alternatively you can contact the Corporate Anti Fraud and Anti Corruption Team to report your concerns by:
- calling the Fraud and Corruption Hotline on 01737 276483 (24 hours)
- emailing fraudstoppers@reigate-banstead.gov.uk.
Alternatively, depending on the matter to be disclosed, the suspicion can be reported in confidence by:
- calling the internal auditors RSM Tenon on 0800 1974 520
- calling the external auditors KPMG on 0207 3116496.
If you suspect someone or have concerns about fraud or corruption, please do not:
- approach the concerned individual
- be afraid to raise your concerns
- try to investigate yourself.
Defining fraud and corruption
Put simply, fraud may be defined as the use of deception with the intention of obtaining an advantage, making a gain, avoiding an obligation or causing loss to another party. Similarly, corruption could be simply defined as offering, giving or accepting an inducement or reward which would influence the actions taken, in this case, by the council and its Officers. Generally, the term “fraud and corruption” is used to describe such acts as:
- deception
- bribery
- forgery
- extortion
- conspiracy
- theft
- embezzlement
- misappropriation
- false representation
- concealment of material facts
- collusion.
Who can commit Fraud?
Fraud can involve anyone that is employed by or on behalf of an organisation or anyone or group that has a relationship with the organisation either as a supplier, contractor, customer, or service end user. This means that fraud could be committed by any one of the thousands of people that the council deals with on a daily basis.
Fraud affects our community
Fraud can have a direct impact on the level of council tax, the level of resources available to share amongst our community and local services such as housing, social care and education.
Further information
For further information on Fraud and Corruption please see the Council’s Anti Fraud and Anti Corruption Policy and Whistle-blowing Policy .
Other Appendices can be obtained from the Corporate Anti Fraud and Corruption Team, email fraudstoppers@reigate-banstead.gov.uk.
Last updated : 05/08/2011
