Benefit Fraud Investigator

gerturdeanna

I want to be one of these...any ideas how to go about it?

stazi

You would need to be a DWP employee, and in particular work for JCP dealing with social security benefits. Similar roles exist in local authorites (LA) for housing/council tax benefits.

Even applying for a job with JCP/LA does not mean you would be chosen for this type of work. As soon as you would mention you would want this type of work, would mean that it wouldn't go to you!

Fraud Investigators, as I undertsand it, also (have to?) work towards a professionally recognised qualification.

poet123

I used to be one of these years ago when I worked for what was then the DHSS and several of my friends still do the job. The positions are not usually advertised but are internal promotions from being a clerk(CO) up the ladder to being an EO(executive officer) or Supervisor. You can sometimes go in on the fastrack with good A levels/degree but even then would generally have to work at an admin level within the fraud dept before going out on cases. When I worked there no prof qualifications were required but it may be different now. So you forst port of call is the DWP website to see if there are any vacancies at the level your qualifications allow( CO needs 5 a/c GCSE passes).

I loved it.........but it wasnt conducive to having young kids then,no part time/job share etc.

gerturdeanna

Perhaps its not for me then seen as I've young children and would want job-share!!
I'm currently working on an out-sourced DWP contract so have an idea of what goes on. I'll have to try and move over to the real DWP!!
Thanks

poet123

No, now they do term time working and job share,part time whatever!! much more family friendly. If it really interests you go for it.....

gerturdeanna

Thanks I didn't know that!!

wickedwitch_2

Hi

I used to be a fraud investigator. What you've been told is correct, DWP only tend to advertise externally for generalist jobs at AO and EO grade so you could find yourself doing anything from working in a Jobcentre, Call Centre or a Benefit Delivery Centre assessing claims. Fraud jobs are usually advertised internally either as promotion excercises (at EO grade) or level transfers. Within DWP fraud investigators are expected to underake the PINS (Professionalism in Security) training but this is on the job and not normally a pre-requisite. I'd moved to another part of the department before this came in so I've no idea what it involves.

However it's not just DWP that employ fraud investigators. I have seen local authorities advertise specific fraud jobs as well as banks/building societies and insurance companies so it pays to keep an eye out on the jobs pages.

Good luck!

nfox

i have worked for HMRC for nearly 3 years and i constantly check everyday what fraud jobs are on offer for all goverment departments and there are NONE not even internally. These jobs seem to be available very rarely and if they are it seems to be at quite a high grade as people dont seem to leave these kinds of positions at all

perkypatchy

I work in a DEFRA agency and I might be the right grade (EO) to stand a chance for one of the 200 new inspector jobs. Unfortunately, things are not likely to be so easy. To start with, the civil service has a ban on external recruitment so unless you are an existing civil servant, I do not think that you stand much chance here. Also the DWP has a redundancy pool and staff who are in this or any other civil service pool, will be given first choice and preference. Effectively, this is likely to mean that unless you already work for the civil service and are in a redundancy situation (in a redundancy pool) then you can forget it. Finally, I am surprised that everyone wants this job of searching out benefit fraud cheats - it will be stressful and often unpleasant work!

markbass

gerturdeanna wrote: »

I want to be one of these...any ideas how to go about it?

Just practice looking down your nose at everyone you can, and take enjoyment out of pulling the legs of spiders, also practice rolling your eyes in disgust and adopt a very condescending disbelieving tone to your voice...that'll be a great start, then live the life of a bitter and twisted recluse, watching the clock for when they can start work the next morning to take out their sadistic pent up vengeful nature on their next suspect!!

Oh and give the cat a good kick as you walk out the door in the morning and don't forget to look in the mirror before you go to bed at night and threaten to get yourself while your asleep!!


Seriously who would want to be a Benefit fraud investigator???

SailorSam

poet123 wrote: »

I used to be one of these years ago when I worked for what was then the DHSS and several of my friends still do the job. The positions are not usually advertised but are internal promotions from being a clerk(CO) up the ladder to being an EO(executive officer) or Supervisor. You can sometimes go in on the fastrack with good A levels/degree but even then would generally have to work at an admin level within the fraud dept before going out on cases. When I worked there no prof qualifications were required but it may be different now. So you forst port of call is the DWP website to see if there are any vacancies at the level your qualifications allow( CO needs 5 a/c GCSE passes).

I loved it.........but it wasnt conducive to having young kids then,no part time/job share etc.

Poet if you've worked on the inside could you give me some tips to, how can i stop the Dhss finding out about my Sth America bank accounts with all my millions in.