National Fraud Initiative

The National Fraud Initiative is a bi-annual exercise that matches electronic data within and between public and private sector bodies to prevent and detect fraud.

Preventing fraud

We participate in the Cabinet Office’s National Fraud Initiative: a data matching exercise to assist in the prevention and detection of fraud. We are required to provide particular sets of data to the Minister for the Cabinet Office for matching for each exercise.

Data matching

It involves comparing computer records held by one body against other computer records held by the same or another body 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 may indicate 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 Cabinet Office in a data matching exercise is carried out with statutory authority under Part 6 of the Local Audit and Accountability Act 2014. It does not require the consent of the individuals concerned under the Data Protection Act 2018.

More information

If you have any queries about how your personal information is processed by the City Corporation, see information on Data Protection. You can contact the City Corporation directly with any queries about the data sharing and matching exercises.

Audit Officer (NFI), Chamberlain's Department
City of London Corporation
Guildhall, PO Box 270
London EC2P 2EJ
020 7332 1266