Fraud is committed when someone does not tell us the truth about their circumstances.

There are many different types of fraud, if you suspect fraud has been committed you should report it to the relevant body listed below:

Benefit fraud

Benefit fraud should be reported to the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) via the GOV.UK website: report benefit fraud (external link) or call the National Benefit Fraud Hotline on 0800 854440. You can make a report anonymously, you do not have to give your name or contact details unless you want to.

Corporate fraud

This relates to contractors or staff committing fraud. This should be reported to us at reportfraud@eastcambs.gov.uk.

Council Tax/Business Rates fraud

Council Tax or Business Rates fraud should be reported to Anglia Revenues Partnership (ARP): report council tax fraud (external link) or call the confidential and free Fraud Helpline on 0800 515368. You can also email ARP at reportingfraud@angliarevenues.gov.uk.

Electoral fraud

If you have evidence that electoral fraud has been committed, you should contact the police as quickly as possible using the non-emergency number 101. You should be prepared to give them a statement and any evidence you have.

If you are worried about giving your name to the police, you can also report electoral fraud anonymously by contacting CrimeStoppers by phone on 0800 555 111 or online at Crimestoppers (external link).

Housing/Tenancy fraud

Housing and tenancy fraud should be reported to Sanctuary Housing: report tenancy fraud (external link). Please let Sanctuary Housing know if you suspect tenancy fraud in your neighbourhood, so they can work with other agencies to take action against residents committing offences. Any information you supply will be treated confidentially.

Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Against Scams Partnership (CAPASP)

East Cambridgeshire Community Safety Partnership has teamed up with CAPASP (external link PDF) which is a county-wide fraud and scams scheme helping residents identify scams.

The scheme works with public, private and voluntary sector organisations to share knowledge and prevent scams within the county.

Anyone can become the victim of a scam. However, many of the crimes are experienced by vulnerable people.

We want to help you spot the signs of a potential scam so you can look out for your neighbours in the community and make East Cambridgeshire a safer place for all residents.

Find out more about CAPASP

Top ten tips to protect yourself from fraud:

1. Do your research first - do not give any personal information to organisations or people before verifying their credentials.
2. Protect your software - make sure your computer has up-to-date anti-virus software and a firewall installed.
3. Be wary of links - never automatically click on a link in an unexpected email or text.
4. Protect your purchases - sign up to your card suppliers verification process whenever you are given the option while shopping online.
5. Check your statements - you should regularly check your bank statements for entries you do not recognise.
6. Destroy receipts - destroy and preferably shred receipts with your card details on and post with your name and address on. Identity fraudsters do not need much information in order to be able to clone your identity.
7. Do not be afraid to question - if you receive bills, invoices or receipts for things you haven't bought, or financial institutions you do not normally deal with contact you about outstanding debts, take action. Your identity may have been stolen.
8. Be extremely wary of post, phone calls or emails offering you business deals out of the blue - if an offer seems to good to be true, it probably is. Always question it.
9. Be wary of fraudsters - if you have been a victim of fraud, be aware of fraud recovery fraud.
10. If in doubt, ask for advice - if you need advice about cybercrime or fraud, contact Action Fraud (external link).