Lothian Pension Fund

Data matching of pensions in payment

Every two years Audit Scotland organises a national data matching exercise known as the National Fraud Initiative to make sure that public money is being spent properly and to protect the public funds we administer.

In order to help prevent and detect fraud we will again be sharing pension payment details held electronically with Audit Scotland.

This information will be compared with electronic information held by other bodies participating in the National Fraud Initiative. This helps to identify inconsistencies that require further investigation. This will ensure that:

• no pensions are being paid to people who are no are longer entitled to them
• pension income is being declared when they apply for housing benefit
• people who go back to work when receiving a pension are receiving the correct amount of pension.

The reports only indicate inconsistencies that require to be looked at and it does not mean any errors, fraud or overpayment has happened until investigations have been completed.  

Information will only be shared for these purposes and your details are completely safe.

The use of data by Audit Scotland in a data matching exercise is carried out with statutory authority under its powers and does not require the consent of the individuals concerned under the Data Protection Act 1998.  

Audit Scotland are a Government organisation that check public money is spent properly and audits over 200 governmental organisations, including the City of Edinburgh Council.  

Further information about the National Fraud Initiative is available on the Audit Scotland website: http://www.audit-scotland.gov.uk