New app to tackle city fraudsters

Aims to be an easy way to report suspicions anonymously.

Cambridge City Council have introduced a new app that will make reporting fraud easier for victims.

It'll allow people to confidentially and anonymously report their suspicions about housing fraud, benefit fraud, council tax fraud, false insurance claims and false expenses claims.

The app, called Cambridge Fraud Reporter, has been funded by a central government grant and developed with software developers InTech.

Cllr Kevin Price, Executive Councillor for Housing, said:"The new app is a really imaginative way to help the council tackle fraud in the city.

"People committing fraud are effectively stealing funds that could be spent on services for people who need them. It's only right that we explore different ways that people can let us know about their suspicions of fraud, in the knowledge that the information will be treated confidentially and acted on quickly."

Anything reported will be investigated by the council and its partners including the police and housing associations.

The app also gives information about different types of fraud, advice on avoiding fraud, and success stories of how fraud is being tackled in the city. it's available for both Apple and Android devices through iTunes and Google Play.

Fraud can be reported online at www.cambridge.gov.uk/tenancy-fraud and the council's Fraud Team can also be contacted on 01223 457731.