National Fraud Initiative: pilot data specifications

National Fraud Initiative pilot projects are employed to explore new strategies for fraud prevention and detection. These pilots seek to evaluate the effectiveness of various methods for identifying and combating fraud within the NFI framework. The outcomes of these pilots are assessed to ascertain whether they enhance the NFI’s biennial national exercise in preventing and detecting fraud. If they are, the relevant data specification will be transferred from the NFI Pilot data specification page to the NFI national exercise data specification page.

Please note that data should:

• only be submitted through the secure NFI web application
• be password protected once extracted from the relevant systems
• unless otherwise stated, not include minor’s data.
• Only confirmed pilot participants should upload data.

Before submitting data, you must read the guidance provided on how to upload data and the pre-upload checks you should carry out to ensure you are providing the best possible data.

Read more about uploading data to the NFI.

Temporary Accommodation Pilot

Pilot Purpose: The purpose of this pilot is to bring together public and private sector data to tackle temporary accommodation tenancy fraud.

Information sharing benefits: By bringing together private and public sector data sources, the pilot aims to enhance the accuracy and efficiency of fraud detection, leading to better utilisation of public resources and reduced costs. Additionally, improved information sharing will support proactive intervention strategies, safeguarding the integrity of temporary housing provisions and ensuring that genuine applicants receive the appropriate support.

Pilot data must be provided in accordance with the specifications outlined in this document.

Social Housing Fraudulent Subletting Pilot

Pilot Purpose: The purpose of this pilot is to to prevent fraudulent social housing sub-letting via an online marketplace and hospitality brokerage website.

Information sharing benefits: The benefits of the processing are to counter fraud by identifying those individuals subletting their properties. Identification of fraud in this area is in line with the NFI strategy to identify fraud across the public sector. Ultimately this pilot, and any take up that follows, potentially frees up funding to be diverted into other vital services/areas.

Pilot data must be provided in accordance with the specification outlined in this document.