Fraud Prevention and Reporting
The Department of Social Security and the Income Support and Compliance Division are committed to deliver social security benefits and services that meet the needs of the public. Moreover, our employees strive to ensure the public receives the Social Security benefits and services it deserves. We work diligently to ensure the integrity of Social Security benefits and provide a high level of service to the public. Nevertheless, in some cases persons seek to abuse of Social Security benefits.
What is Social Security fraud?
Fraud involves receiving social security benefits through willful misrepresentation, whereby, with intent to defraud, a person makes a false statement, conceals or fails to disclose information for use in determining benefit eligibility or entitlement under the provisions of the Social Security Act (Cap. 318.).
Examples of fraud include:
- Making a false statement on benefit claims
- Concealing facts or events that affect eligibility or entitlement for benefits
- Failing to notify the Department of Social Security of change in circumstances such as one’s income, resources, marital status or when a living circumstance has changed
Benefits Compliance Unit combats fraud
The Income Suport and Compliance Division has a zero tolerance for fraud. We are committed to preventing, detecting, and eliminating fraud in our benefits. The Benefits Compliance Unit conducts investigations of allegations of Social Security benefits fraud and prosecutes those who commit fraud against the social security benefits framework.
How to report fraud
If you suspect that someone is committing fraud or abuse of Social Security benefits, you can contact the Benefits Compliance Unit’s hotline on Freephone 80072345 or fill in and submit an investigation request online.
The investigations are most successful when you provide as much information as possible about the alleged suspect(s) and/or victim(s) involved. The more you can tell us, the better chance we have of determining whether a crime has been committed. As you fill out an alleged fraud investigation request, please include the following (not limited) about the alleged suspect(s) and/or victim(s):
- Names
- Addresses
- Telephone numbers
- Description of the fraud
- Location where the fraud took place
- When the fraud took place
- How the fraud was committed
The Benefit Compliance Unit within the Income Support and Investigation Directorate will investigate all Benefit Compliance Investigation Requests, although information about the outcome of a particular investigation cannot be provided. An acknowledgment letter will be sent if the request for investigation is not made in an anonymous manner.
Privacy statement
Personal information is protected by law, including the General Data Protection Regulation (EU) 2016/679 (GDPR) and the Data Protection Act (CAP. 586.). Any personal information collected from you when you contact us, will only be used for purposes connected to the investigation of your allegations, including contacting you if further information is required.
We keep your identity confidential and will not disclose your personal information without your consent, unless authorised or required by law.
If you suspect fraudulent activity, you should report it to us. We take all allegations of fraud seriously.