Fraud
Fraud within the public sector costs the taxpayer billions of pounds each year.
East Dunbartonshire Council is committed to developing a robust and vigilant anti-fraud culture amongst its elected members, employees, contractors, and the public.
We operate a zero-tolerance approach to fraud, corruption and bribery within or against the Council, its partners and contractors, and the community we serve.
Investigation
East Dunbartonshire Council's Corporate Fraud Team is a dedicated service established to identify fraud risks, prevent crime, and investigate allegations of fraud, corruption, and other irregularities. Where criminality is identified, the Team is registered as a specialist reporting agency with the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service and can submit reports directly for consideration of prosecution.
The Team also works closely with internal and external partners to prevent fraud, identify emerging risks, and protect public funds.
We most commonly investigate fraud in the following areas:
- Blue Badge
- Business Rates
- Council Tax
- Council Tax Reduction
- Direct payments
- Education (early years and school registration applications)
- Employment fraud
- Insurance
- Licensing
- Procurement
- Scottish Welfare Fund
- Tenancy (abandonment and non-residence, obtaining housing by deception, sub-letting, succession).
Our Whistleblowing policy provides protection for employees who report fraud and explains how the fraud will be investigated.
Report
How to Report
The easiest and quickest way you can report fraud is by completing the online form below or by:
- Sending an email to fraud@eastdunbarton.gov.uk
- Calling Customer Services on 0300 123 4510
- Writing to the Corporate Fraud Team, East Dunbartonshire Council, 2-4 West High Street, Kirkintilloch, G66 1AD.
Report fraud form
Please use this form to report fraud.
National Fraud Initiative
This authority 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.
On behalf of the Auditor General for Scotland, Audit Scotland appoints the auditor to audit the accounts of this authority. It is also responsible for carrying out data matching exercises.
More information
For further information on Audit Scotland’s legal powers and the reasons why it matches particular information, see the National Fraud Initiative in Scotland Privacy Notice in the documents section of this page or contact the Council's Internal Audit Team.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
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 but the inclusion of personal data within a data matching exercise does not mean that any specific individual is under suspicion. Where a match is found it indicates that there may be an inconsistency that requires further investigation. No assumption can be made as to whether there is fraud, error o other explanation until an investigation is carried out. The exercise can also help bodies to ensure that their records are up to date.
Audit Scotland currently requires us 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 Audit Scotland for matching for each exercise, and these are set out in Audit Scotland’s instructions that can be found within the documents section of this page.
The use of data by Audit Scotland in a data matching exercise is carried out with statutory authority, normally under its powers in Part 2A of the Public Finance and Accountability (Scotland) Act 2000. It does not require the consent of the individuals concerned under the Data Protection Act 2018. Data matching by Audit Scotland is subject to a Code of Practice that you can find within the documents section of this page.
Public funds lost to fraud mean less money is available to spend on vital services and support within our communities. As a Council Tax payer, it is important that you and your family receive the best possible value from the Council, its employees, and the services we provide.
Fraud affects everyone. It places unnecessary pressure on the Council's limited financial resources and diverts funding away from essential services. Investigating and addressing fraud also creates additional administrative and operational burdens, resulting in further costs to the public purse.
Every instance of fraud prevented, detected, and investigated helps to protect public funds and ensures that resources are available for the benefit of those who genuinely need them. By tackling fraud effectively, the Council can safeguard valuable services, maintain public confidence, and ensure that taxpayers' money is spent appropriately and responsibly.
No, you can make a report anonymously.
The Corporate Fraud Team will review your report and assess the most appropriate course of action.
Although reports can be submitted anonymously, providing your contact details may assist the investigation. As a routine part of the enquiry process, you may be contacted by a member of the Corporate Fraud Team to discuss the information provided in more detail or to seek clarification where necessary.
All information received will be treated sensitively and handled in accordance with relevant legislation and the Council's policies and procedures.