YORK-based counter fraud experts are in line for a national award.

Veritau is a finalist in the Excellence in Corporate Fraud awards, which are handed out to recognise organisations that excel in fighting fraud, and which display innovation and enterprise.

Veritau was formed in 2009 by City of York Council and North Yorkshire County Council, and does counter fraud work for those authorities as well as Ryedale, Hambleton, Selby and Richmondshire district councils and some housing associations.

It now also covers wider issues and has saved its clients more than £500,000 in the past three years and prosecuted 42 people, getting 87 social housing properties back, stopping 44 attempts to fraudulently get social housing, and blocking 14 false applications for school placements.

As a finalist, it is recognised as one of the top three fraud teams in country and is fighting teams from the Royal Borough of Greenwich and Oxford City Council to be announced overall winner in October.