National Fraud Initiative

Overseas Pensions Department is participating in the National Fraud Initiative (NFI) 2012/13 data matching exercise carried out by the Audit Commission.  We are required by law to protect the public funds we administer and our participation in NFI will assist in the prevention and detection of fraud against DFID.

Data matching involves comparing computer records held by one public body against computer records held by other public bodies to see how far they match.  Where an inconsistency is found it may indicate that further investigation is necessary.

We participate on a voluntary basis and will provide the Audit Commission with details of our pensioners’ data as set out in the Audit Commission’s guidance which can be found at http://www.audit-commission.gov.uk/nfi  This will ensure, for example, that no pensions are paid to persons who are deceased or no longer entitled.  

The use of data by the Audit Commission in a data matching exercise is carried out with statutory authority under its powers in Part 2A of the Audit Commission Act, 1998.   It does not require the consent of the individuals concerned under the Data Protection Act, 1998.

Data Matching by the Audit Commission is subject to a Code of Practice.  This may be found at http://www.audit-commission.gov.uk/nfi/pages/codeofdatamatchingpractice.aspx

For further information on the Audit Commission’s legal powers and reasons why it matches particular information, see http://www.audit-commission.gov.uk/fairprocessing