The Audit Commission’s National Fraud Initiative (NFI) is a data matching exercise which has been run every two years since 1996. It has been used to identify fraud and overpayments totalling almost £450 million.

From 2008 the Commission will conduct data matching exercises under its new statutory powers inserted in the Audit Commission Act 1998 by the Serious Crime Act 2007. The aim under the new arrangement is to ensure that while upholding and protecting citizens rights in relation to their personal data, the NFI continues to serve the public by safeguarding public money against losses from fraud or misappropriation and making an effective contribution to the wider fight against fraud.

The data the Council is required to provide is:

· Payroll
· Trade Creditors
· Council Tax (not required until 2009)
· Electoral Register (not required under 2009)
· Residents Parking
· Concessionary Travel (Gold Card)
· Insurance Claimants
· Licenses – market traders, taxi drivers, personal licences to supply alcohol

For more information on the National Fraud Initative, please read this document (PDF, 52Kb)