02
July
2015
|
00:00
Europe/Amsterdam

Callcredit is helping seven more councils reduce fraud and error

Public sector expert Callcredit Information Group has been selected by seven local authorities across the South and Scotland to help tackle the rising levels of fraud and error in housing benefit by improving detection and prioritising caseloads.

Latest figures released by the DWP show the amount of housing benefit overpayments at the beginning of Q2 (2014/15) was £1.4 billion; an increase of nine per cent on the previous year.  The amount of overpayments identified in the first two quarters of 2014/15 has increased by two per cent.

Using risked based verification (RBV) In-Claim, an intelligent real-time fraud and error detection and prevention system, Callcredit will be helping Angus, Braintree, Chelmsford City, Dumfries & Galloway, Epping Forest, Rochford, and Southend-on-Sea councils to prioritise the most high-risk cases, maintaining a structured and efficient approach to benefit intervention. 

James Hilton, Head of Sales - Central and Local Government, Callcredit said: “We’re pleased to be working with a further seven local authorities to help tackle fraud and error in housing benefit.  For the last seven years, with the use of RBV In-Claim, we have already assisted over 30 LAs improve fraud and error detection, priorities caseloads and increase revenues through intelligent targeting.

“By implementing a targeted, risk based approach to intervention, authorities are able to actively increase the number of detected cases whilst improving processing efficiencies, ensuring they meet the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) Fraud & Error Reduction Incentive Scheme (FERIS) threshold and secure additional funding.”

Paula Doherty, Principal Benefit Officer, Dumfries & Galloway Council said: “We’re delighted with the simplicity of the sign up process with Callcredit and are looking forward to working with such a trusted partner to many public sector organisations.”