Cabinet Office

Outcome of Expression of Interest: Invited to apply

Public sector bodies often find it difficult to share data to help them detect and prevent fraud. The National Fraud Initiative (NFI) is a mandatory data matching exercise that, since its inception has identified over £1.6 billion in overpayments. NFI has developed a ‘fraud hub’ to facilitate regular matching between ‘neighboring’ organisations whilst also calling into the wider NFI data covering the whole of the UK.

Fraud Hub is built using existing architecture from the main NFI exercise so utilises a tried and tested user interface that is recognised and trusted by public sector fraud professionals.

Fraud Hub is designed for use by all public sector organisations and typically this will be those that have good existing relationships and a common desire to share data regularly to detect fraud.

NFI has one fraud hub set up already, which is in its early stages but is already producing great results for those organisations using it. We are therefore keen to help others get involved in setting up other hubs around the UK.

Discovery evidence

The NFI developed Fraud Hub as a fraud detection and prevention solution building on engagement with participants in the NFI mandated exercise. This engagement, and feedback gained from operating the NFI mandated exercise since 1996, made it apparent that there was a clear need for tools to assist with facilitating regular data sharing.

Historically organisations have found it challenging to find legal gateways that permit the sharing of data. Bodies have also lacked the expertise to undertake data matching in an automated way. The NFI statutory powers are clearly set out within the Local Audit and Accountability Act (LAAA). It was clear that use of the NFI statutory powers combined with technical expertise gained from data matching over the last 20 years meant that NFI was in a unique position to provide a service that public sector bodies were asking for.

The fraud hub product was built in an agile manner, testing with users along the way to arrive at a bespoke digital solution with automated features. Users have full control over what data they share and when. It enables bodies to take ownership of their fraud risks, and regularly look to address them.

 

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