According to figures published by the City of York Council, it investigated over 188 cases of potential fraud against the authority during the last financial year.
The vast majority of these involved bogus attempts to claim Council Tax reductions. 13 involved attempted social housing frauds.
Of the 188 cases investigated, fraud was confirmed in 109 cases.
The potential loss of income to the authority was £255,185 pa.
The Council employs 13 anti fraud staff at a cost of around £270,000 pa.
Around 11,000 tenants were claiming housing benefit in York at the end of the 2012/13 financial year.
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Of these over 8000 were occupying socially rented accommodation (Council/Housing Association properties)
814 tenants were registered on HomeSwapper seeking direct exchanges.
226 exchanges had been completed in the year.
The York Council has recently amended its policies to give priority to exchanges to be used in cases of social or financial hardship. A downsizing incentive scheme has been introduced.
NB. At the end of February there were 2,300 applicants on the housing waiting list in York
