Report suspected social welfare fraud

The department's Control Division accepts reports of possible fraud by members of the public in relation to the department's schemes.

Anonymous reports are accepted by accessing the link below. You can also contact us by phone or in writing.

All reports are dealt with in confidence.

We will assess the information you provide and conduct an investigation, however, we will not be in a position to provide you with any outcomes of these investigations.

An investigation may lead to someone having their social welfare payment amended, losing their payments, and/or being prosecuted.

There are certain situations where information provided about a person to the department may not result in further action as it may already be known to the department and an eligibility exists.

The department requires a number of details in order to proceed with investigations into suspected fraud. Your assistance in providing as much detail as possible in your report will greatly assist in this process.

If you are reporting somebody for:

• working and claiming - please tell us if they are employed or self-employed. If employed, please tell us their employer’s name and address, when they started working, the type of work and the days/hours worked, if known
• living abroad - please tell us where the person is living now and their last address in Ireland, when they left Ireland and how often they return or expected date of return, if known
• employer not paying PRSI - please tell us the name and address of the employer you are reporting, their type of business, names of the employees concerned and any other relevant information
• not declaring means - please tell us what you think has not been reported (earnings, savings, investments, maintenance, compensation, any other income)
• claiming benefit for a person who is deceased - please tell us the name and address of the deceased person and their date of death, if known. Please also tell us the name and address of the person who is collecting the payment
• claiming benefit for a person who is in prison - please tell us the name, age and address of the person in prison and when they entered prison, if known. Please also tell us the name and address of the person who is collecting the payment
• suspected identity fraud - which is somebody using another person’s identity or a false identity, please give all details available including all names and addresses

Any report that indicates a child or a vulnerable adult may be at risk will be reported to Tusla as appropriate. The department reserves the right to share any report received with any other State agency where a crime or misappropriation of public fund may be concerned.