Data Matching - The National Fraud Initiative (NFI)

This authority is required by law to protect the public funds it administers.  It may share information provided to it with other bodies responsible for auditing or administering public funds, or where undertaking a public function, in order to prevent and detect fraud.

The Cabinet Office is responsible for carrying out data matching exercises.

Data matching 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 more investigation. No assumption can be made as to whether there is fraud, error or other explanation until an investigation is carried out.

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, as detailed here (https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/national-fraud-initiative ).

The use of data by the Cabinet Office in a data matching exercise is carried out with the 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.

Data matching by the Cabinet office is subject to a Code of Practice (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/code-of-data-matching-practice-for-national-fraud-initiative ).

View further information on the Cabinet Office's legal powers and the reasons why it matches particular information (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/fair-processing-national-fraud-initiative/fair-processing-level-3-full-text ).  For more information on our data matching, contact us on 01329 236100, by email to corporatefraud@fareham.gov.uk or by post to the Finance and Audit Service, Department of the Assistant Chief Executive, Fareham Borough Council, Civic Offices, Civic Way, Fareham PO16 7AZ.