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About Fraud Reporting

Information provided by members of the public helps Centrelink ensure customers do not get payments they are not entitled to.

How is this information given to Centrelink?

This information is obtained by Centrelink in a number of ways:

• reports made to a Centrelink Call Centre (this is the most common way of reporting a case of suspected fraud)
• reports made by employers to Centrelink Business Hotline
• reports made to a Customer Relations Unit
• letters sent to Centrelink Customer Service Centres
• letters to the Minister(s) or Prime Minister
• letters to other local Members of Parliament (MPs)
• data sharing with other Government Agencies (eg Australian Taxation Office or the Child Support Agency)
• information sent to Centrelink via the internet.

What sort of information does Centrelink need to know?

The general public are encouraged to contact Centrelink if they think they have information that will help in the detection of incorrect payments to Centrelink customers.

It must be remembered that you are reporting a suspected fraud and it is not, at this stage, a proven fact no matter how strongly you may feel about it. Centrelink is only concerned with matters regarding qualification and eligibility for payments from Centrelink. Any other information or reports regarding other matters should be reported to the appropriate Department or authority concerned.

Centrelink is required to investigate all reports made. While Centrelink's investigating officers are able to do a great deal with a small amount of information, the more details, the better. The more information we get the more likely we are to successfully investigate any matter.

In particular, information which will identify the customer more easily will help Centrelink investigating officers to correctly identify the customer being reported.

There are some situations that may result in an incorrect payment or fraud being committed. These include:

• working and getting a payment from Centrelink
• getting income from a source other than working
• living with someone while claiming to live alone
• getting a payment from Centrelink for children not in your care
• getting a payment from Centrelink while no longer studying
• using more than one name to get payments from Centrelink
• getting more than one payment from Centrelink
• getting Rent Assistance when you are not paying rent
• Child Care Centres getting incorrect payments from Centrelink.

Will I remain anonymous?

It is possible that information you provide may be released to the person concerned, either as part of the appeals process, or under the Freedom of Information Act. However, it is Centrelink's policy to keep your identity confidential. Centrelink is not able to trace the origin of a report of suspected fraud but if you are willing to be contacted by an investigating officer, you are able to provide your contact details.

Will I be told the outcome of the suspected fraud I have reported?

Under the Privacy Act 1988, Centrelink cannot give you any information about the progress or outcome of the investigation.

After I send it off, then what?

The information you provide to Centrelink is looked at and sent to the appropriate investigating area. Most go to the Area Office Compliance Review Teams with the exception of dual and multiple identity investigation cases and internal fraud cases, which go to the Identity Fraud Team at Centrelink's National Support Office.