Stirling Council has a duty to safeguard public money. The Council expects the highest standards of conduct and integrity from all who have dealings with it. This includes its employees, elected members, contractors, and the public.
The Council is committed to the prevention and detection of fraud.
If you suspect than any person or organisation has committed a fraud that involves Stirling Council you can use follow the link below to report it to us.
You can also report fraud by calling 01786 233910 or by emailing reportfraud@stirling.gov.uk.
When you report fraud to us you can remain anonymous. We will not insist that you identify yourself or provide any personal information. We will ask you for details about the person or organisation you believe has committed the fraud and for information about the fraud itself. If you have any evidence, such as documents or photographs, you can upload them via the link above.
The Council has a specialist Corporate Fraud team. Any information you provide via the above form, email address or telephone number will be considered by the Corporate Fraud team. Some examples of the types of matters that the Corporate Fraud team can investigate are set out below:
Council House Tenancy Fraud
Reduces the availability of housing for people who are in genuine need and are entitled to a safe, warm home. Examples of tenancy fraud include:
- Obtaining housing by deception: when a person applying for a property deliberately provides false information.
- Abandonment: when a tenant stops living at a property and fails to tell the Council.
- Unlawful subletting: when a tenant rents out all, or part of, their property without permission from the Council.
- Non-occupation: when a tenant does not live at the property as their main or principal home.
- Unlawful succession: when a person not entitled to the property takes over the tenancy.
Council Tax Discount Fraud
Where more than one adult is resident in a residential property and a 25% Council Tax Single Occupancy Discount is being claimed. This type of fraud impacts on the money available to the Council to fund services.
Other Council Tax frauds include falsely claiming exemptions, for example claiming a property is empty and unfurnished or claiming a student exemption where liable adults are resident.
Other types of fraud
- Misuse of Council Resources: for example, the use of Council equipment or materials for private gain.
- School Placement Fraud: falsely claiming that you or your child live at an address within a particular school catchment area.
- Social Care Fraud: failing to declare capital and or assets to avoid paying care costs.
- Non-Domestic Rates Fraud: when businesses attempt to gain relief or exemptions from business rates that they are not entitled to.
- Insurance: false claims made against the Council.
If the fraud you want to report relates to benefits administered by Social Security Scotland or the Department for Work and Pensions, or to tax avoidance or evasion, you should report this to the relevant authority by following the links below.
Report fraud relating to benefits administered by the Department for Work and Pensions, for example: Universal Credit, Housing Benefit, Pension Credit.
Report fraud relating to benefits administered by Social Security Scotland, for example: Adult Disability Payment, Child Disability Payment, Pension Age Disability Payment.
Report tax fraud, contact HMRC in relation to tax avoidance or evasion.