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Fraud and Error Resolution
The Fraud and Error Resolution Unit helps ensure payments are correct and that public money is safeguarded.
Our approach is set out in:
Error Interventions and Insights team
Sometimes, clients might make an error when making an application or reporting a change of circumstances, which may result in them being paid incorrectly. This is called a client-induced error.
We will also sometimes make mistakes when processing applications. This is called an official error.
Understanding and preventing error
Our Error Interventions teams:
- identify and correct errors
- understand the reasons why errors happen
- prevent errors from happening again
We may contact clients for more information to help us correct errors.
Clients are notified of any changes to awards in a determination notification which provides information on what to do if you disagree with a change, details of any arrears payments and support available to repay any overpaid sums.
Report a change of circumstances
If your circumstances change, it is the client's responsibility to advise us of the change as soon as possible.
Report a changeCounter Fraud
Our Counter Fraud teams investigate allegations of fraud.
Report a suspected fraudIf you are subject to investigation
Clients subject to investigation may be invited to an Interview Under Caution to discuss their claim.
As part of this, evidence gathered via legislative powers authorised by the Scottish Ministers (regulation 4 of the Social Security Assistance (Investigation of Offences) (Scotland) Regulations 2020) may be discussed.
Find out more about what to expect if you are being investigated and investigation outcomes.
If you are a data controller and have received a request from us
The Social Security Scotland Evidence Gathering team possess legislative powers authorised by the Scottish Ministers (regulation 4 of the Social Security Assistance (Investigation of Offences) (Scotland) Regulations 2020) to request information from data controllers to provide information relevant to suspected benefit fraud investigations.
It is a legal requirement for data controllers to provide information requested under these legislative powers. Failure to comply could result in action being taken against data controllers.
If you have any queries regarding the authenticity of a request, contact our Evidence Gathering Team on 01382 931003.
This regulation is part of the legal framework (along with the Social Security (Amendment) (Scotland) Bill) enabling Social Security Scotland to fight fraud.