National Fraud Initiative

We will share information provided to us with other bodies responsible for auditing or administering public funds, in order to prevent and detect fraud.

The Cabinet Office is responsible for carrying out data matching exercises.  This is often called the National Fraud Initiative or NFI.

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. Where a match is found it may indicates that there is an inconsistency which may require further investigation. No assumption can be made as to whether there is fraud, error or other explanation until an investigation is carried out.

The Cabinet Office 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 the Cabinet Office for matching for each exercise, and these are set out in the Cabinet Office's guidance.

The use of data by the Cabinet Office in a data matching exercise is carried out with statutory authority under its powers in Part 6 of the Local Audit and Accountability Act 2014.

Data matching by the Cabinet Office is subject to a Code of Practice. (opens new tab)

The data matches include:

• Housing Waiting List
• Council house tenants
• Housing benefits claimants
• Council Tax payers
• Employees
• Electoral roll
• Taxi Licences
• Single person discount holders
• Insurance claimants
• Personal licences
• Business Rates payers
• Business Grant Recipients

View further information on the Cabinet Office's legal powers and the reasons why it matches particular information. (opens new tab)

For further information on data matching at this authority contact  Michelle Lowman,  Revenue Protection and Assurance Team- Michelle.Lowman@e-lindsey.gov.uk   or 01507 613348.