Report fraud to East Lothian Council

Report fraud including tenancy and housing related fraud and council tax discount fraud

East Lothian Council has a duty to safeguard public money.  We expect the highest standards of conduct and integrity from everyone we have dealings with. This includes employees, elected members, contractors, and the public.

The council is committed to the prevention and detection of fraud.

If you suspect that any person or organisation has committed a fraud that involves East Lothian Council you can report it online:

Report fraud

You can also report fraud by email to: corporatefraud@eastlothian.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 Officer. They will consider all information you provide. Some examples of the kinds of matters that the Corporate Fraud Officer can investigate are set out below:

Tenancy and housing related fraud

This kind of 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.

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: