Experian and benefit fraud

[Tony Naggs]

On 11 August 2010 08:30, Roland Perry <lists at internetpolicyagency.com> wrote:
>
> It's not clear what Experian will be checking, perhaps just that the
> claimant really does exist, and lives where he says on the application form
> - although ironically many HB claimants won't have a particularly permanent
> address, nor one suspects very many of the sorts of credit account that
> would be populating the Experian database.

As a matter of practicality I would not expect the details of the
checking methodology
to be public.

I expect in the first place that reference to these agencies would be
made as part
of a benefits fraud investigation rather than pro forma for every claimant.

E.g. to check whether the claimant has applied for credit cards or loans during
the period of their benefits claim, perhaps giving an emloyer's address in the
process! Or as part of an investigation into whether a claimant may be sharing
a property with someone who is emloyed, which could invalidate their claim for
Housing Benefit.


Cheers,
Tony