National Fraud Initiative - Fair Processing

This authority is required by law to protect the public funds it administers. It may share information provided to it with other bodies responsible for auditing or administering public funds, in order to prevent and detect fraud.

The Cabinet Office appoints the auditor to audit the accounts of this authority. It is also responsible for carrying out data matching exercises.

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 fraudulent claims and payments to be identified. Where a match is found it indicates that there is an inconsistency which requires 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. The Cabinet Office requires this authority to provide information it holds for this purpose. 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 guidance. Please visit the GOV.UK - National Fraud Initiative website (external link).

The use of data by the Cabinet Office in a data matching exercise is carried out with statutory authority. It does not require the consent of the individuals concerned under the Data Protection Act 1998.

Data matching by the Cabinet Office is subject to a Code of Practice. This may be found in the GOV.UK website below.

For further information on the National Fraud Initiative legal powers and the reasons why it matches particular information, see the GOV.UK - National Fraud Initiative website (external link) for further information on data matching at this authority.

Contact

Licensing Team
Level 1 North
River Park House
225 High Road
Wood Green
N22 8HQ

Tel 020 8489 1335

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