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Willow Park Housing Trust is one of a number of local housing providers taking part in a national, government-led initiative aimed at preventing and detecting fraud.
By taking part we will assist in the prevention and detection of fraud against Willow Park Housing Trust and organisations within the public sector, something which we are sure you will agree is of the utmost importance to all of us.
As a social landlord with such high demand for homes, we are particularly keen to ensure that our homes are occupied by those who are entitled to them.
As part of this exercise we are required to provide particular sets of data to the Audit Commission for matching. Further details on the process can be obtained from the Audit Commission’s website.
Data matching involves comparing computer records held by Willow Park against computer records held by other bodies to see how far they match. This is usually personal information. Computerised data matching allows potentially fraudulent claims and payments to be identified. Where a match is found it indicates that there is an inconsistency which requires further investigation. No assumption can be made as to whether there is fraud, error or other explanation until an investigation is carried out.
The use of data by the Audit Commission in a data matching exercise is carried out with statutory authority under its powers in Part 2A of the Audit Commission Act 1998. It does not require the consent of the individuals concerned under the Data Protection Act 1998.
Data matching by the Audit Commission is subject to a Code of Practice.
For further information on the Audit Commission’s legal powers and the reasons why it matches particular information please also see the Code of Practice.
For further information on data matching at Willow Park please email Mike Gerrard, Director of Resources or call on 0800 633 5500.
