FRAUD investigators are increasingly concerned about social care cases and last year helped York council claw back nearly £40,000.

The council’s internal auditors Veritau investigate fraud for City of York, and bosses have told councillors that social care is a growing area for them.

Last week Veritau chief Max Thomas told councillors on the audit and governance committee they were looking more closely at the area as the value of social care cases increases.

“We have been doing a lot more work in social care because it is clear to all councils that is an area where fraud is occurring but it has not been picked up or prevented previously.

“We have seen the value of social care fraud cases increase.”

He also said they have worked with the social care department, helping staff learn warning signs and know how to refer cases they may be worried about.

In a report prepared for the committee, he said: “Social care fraud is a substantial risk to the council and remains an area of development

for the fraud team.”

Last year investigations helped the council recover £38,000, and they identified more than £169,000 in losses, the report added, on top of one case that was referred to the police and resulted in two people being convicted and jailed.

The fraud team also recovered £80,000 in council tax and non-domestic rates cases and investigated parking, council tax support and housing frauds – including stopping a false Right to Buy case and illegal subletting.

Mr Thomas also told councillors that York was recognised as a very effective counter-fraud service with a national reputation for innovative work, and had been invited to join a national fraud initiative on business rate fraud.