benefit from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) or HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC). While there will always be those that are knowingly doing it, many claimants don’t realise they may be committing benefit fraud.
The DWP’s definition of benefit fraud is when “someone obtains state benefit they are not entitled to or deliberately fails to report a change in their personal circumstances.” The most common form of benefit fraud is when a person receives unemployment benefits, while working or doing odd jobs for 'cash in hand'.
Another is when someone receiving benefits claims that they live alone, but is financially supported by a partner or spouse.