To mark Fraud Awareness Week (16 to 22 November), Hillingdon Council is highlighting its achievements this year in recovering £6.8 million and sharing advice on how residents can support its work.
The council is responsible for reviewing a wide range of potential frauds and dishonesty offences, including tenancy fraud, giving false information on applications, failing to declare income and misusing parking Blue Badges.
Its counter fraud team’s efforts have uncovered 20 cases of false council tax single person’s discounts in the past year, saving the council more than £18,500.
Through diligent investigation into tenancy fraud and other housing related offences, the council has also prevented the loss of £4.1 million and recovered 55 council properties, following the discovery of non-occupation, unlawful subletting, and other fraudulent activity.
A recent audit of all the council’s emergency accommodation uncovered non-occupation and false homelessness applications, leading to the cancellation of 16 accommodation placements since April 2025, which saved £641,000 and freed up vital support for those in genuine need.
Fraudulent claims for financial assistance in adult social care – where individuals fail to disclose income, savings, or property ownership – have also been tackled head-on. More than £253,000 has been saved through action against those who sought to exploit the system. In children’s social care, the identification of false applications for assistance has resulted in a further £21,250 in savings, ensuring that support reaches the most vulnerable.
Since April, the council has also prosecuted 11 people for Blue Badge fraud, with offenders collectively facing more than £16,800 in fines and costs.
The consequences of fraud can have a devastating impact on its victims. Residents can help by reporting common types of fraud, including:
- tenancy fraud – homes that appear abandoned, sublet, or occupied by someone other than the legitimate tenant
- false claims – people hiding income, savings, or property by giving misleading details on applications
- blue badge misuse – using some else’s badge or parking without the badge holder present
- social care fraud – using direct payments for non-care related expenditure or failing to declare income and assets
- beds in sheds – sheds or outbuildings used illegally as living spaces without council tax being paid.
Cllr Martin Goddard, Hillingdon Council’s Cabinet Member for Finance and Transformation, said: “Fraud against the council is a serious offence and will not be tolerated. Every pound lost to fraud is a pound taken from residents who genuinely need support.
“We are resolute in our determination to fully investigate and use the full force of the law to prosecute offenders. I urge anyone with information about suspected fraud to report it, confidentially.”
Anyone who suspects that someone is committing fraud against the council can report it directly, in confidence, at www.hillingdon.gov.uk/reportfraud or by calling 0800 389 8313.
