Motability: Fraud
The question
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many Motability Fraud cases have been classified as police recorded crime in (a) England, (b) East Midlands and (c) Leicestershire during the last five recorded years.
Answered by Sir Stephen Timms
The Department does not have information on Motability fraud such as recorded crime, prosecutions and investigations as this is a matter for the Scheme. Motability Foundation is a registered charity regulated by the Charity Commission so is wholly responsible for the terms and the administration of the Motability Scheme. The Scheme is delivered by Motability Operations which is an independent commercial company under contract to the charity. Any misuse of scheme vehicles is taken seriously and Motability Operations has a dedicated unit that works to prevent, detect and handle such cases, and takes action as appropriate. Motability investigates information that it receives about misuse of the scheme vehicle and works with a range of partners, including the police.
The Department takes benefit fraud extremely seriously, as has been underlined by our campaign to warn people of the consequences of trying to defraud the benefits system. People who suspect benefit fraud can ring the National Benefit Fraud Hotline number on 0800 854 4400 to report in confidence any information which would help the Department’s officials in their investigations.
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