Benefits Fraud Fair Processing Statement

Since November 2008 and until further notice, Basildon Council will take part in a pilot benefit fraud detection scheme involving electronic data matching, in conjunction with the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP).

Schemes such as this which involve electronic data matching are subject to the conditions of the Data Protection Act.

In addition, Basildon Borough Council is also required to publish the following Fair Processing Statement, which explains to benefit claimants how and why information about them will be exchanged between organisations involved in the benefit fraud data-matching scheme.

For the guidance of benefit claimants...

Fair Processing Notice - National Fraud Initiative

Basildon Borough Council is required by law to protect the public funds it administers. It may share information provided to it with other bodies responsible for auditing or administering public funds, in order to prevent and detect fraud.

The Audit Commission appoints the auditor to audit the accounts of this authority. It is also responsible for carrying out data matching exercises.

Data matching involves comparing computer records held by one body against other computer records held by the same or another body to see how far they match. This is usually personal information. Computerised data matching allows potentially fraudulent claims and payments to be identified. Where a match is found it indicates that there is an inconsistency which requires further investigation. No assumption can be made as to whether there is fraud, error or other explanation until an investigation is carried out.

The Audit Commission currently requires the Council to participate in a data matching exercise to assist in the prevention and detection of fraud. We are required to provide particular sets of data to the Audit Commission for matching for each exercise, and these are set out in the Audit Commission's guidance, which can be found at the Audit Commission website (opens new window).

The use of data by the Audit Commission in a data matching exercise is carried out with statutory authority under its powers in Part 2A of the Audit Commission Act 1998. It does not require the consent of the individuals concerned under the Data Protection Act 1998.

Data matching by the Audit Commission is subject to a Code of Practice.

For further information on the Audit Commission's legal powers and the reasons why it matches particular information,

Please refer to the Audit Commission website (opens new window)

or phone NFI on 0844 798 2222

or email nfiqueries@cabinetoffice.gov.uk (opens new window)

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