Public sector fraud

Public Sector fraud is estimated to cost the UK in the region of £30bn a year. The need to supply counter fraud professionals within this market has increased due to the current economic downturn.

More alarmingly is the ever increasing number of cases where senior managers, directors and heads of departments are being held personally liable for both direct and consequential losses incurred as a result of fraud.

Among the most common frauds within public sector bodies include:

• Tenancy fraud among council and housing association tenants
• Abuse of the right-to-buy system for former council homes
• Falsifying benefit claim entitlements

• Claims for non-existent patients and prescriptions for dead customers via large and complex NHS frauds

Typical roles Counter Fraud Skills would recruit for in this area include:

• Benefit Fraud Investigators (PINS accredited)
• NHS Local Counter Fraud Specialists (LCFS)
• Housing Fraud & Tenancy Investigations Officers
• Council Tax Investigators
• Physical & Information Security Professionals
• Internal Auditors
• Head of Fraud Prevention