Fraud Officer - Harrogate

Job summary

Do you have an inquisitive mind? Do you enjoy engaging with customers? If so, we need you!

The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) is responsible for welfare, pensions and child maintenance policy and is responsible for helping people move into employment, supporting pensioners and protecting some of the most vulnerable in our society. Counter Fraud Compliance and Debt’s (CFCD) aim is to drive down the level of fraud, error and debt within the benefit system, to protect the public purse.

As part of CFCD you will be at the heart of DWP’s efforts to reduce fraud and error in the benefit system. This is a hugely important public service, and our challenge is bigger than ever.

If you want to join somewhere that recognises the importance of work-life balance, where you can learn new skills and progress your career, then CFCD is the place for you.

Job description

Your work as a Fraud Officer will involve different aspects subject to changing business priorities, therefore we need people who are very adaptable and flexible. The job may include a range of duties, with the following provided as examples:

• Conduct robust and challenging interviews by telephone or in person in accordance with all legal and policy requirements, pursuing all reasonable lines of enquiry. Ensuring declarations and changes have been reported at the right time and taking appropriate corrective action if errors are found.
• Ensure quality standards are maintained through adherence to all DWP policy and procedures, and CFCD operational instructions.
• Work collaboratively, effectively and flexibly within a team and contribute towards team expectations.
• Promote fraud awareness within DWP and to wider external business partners.
• Gather, verify, and assess all available information to submit to the appropriate Decision Maker to enable accurate benefit reassessment and overpayment calculation.
• Maintain accurate records and retain relevant evidence, redacting and annotating sensitive material when appropriate.
• Liaise with other departments/organisations such as within the framework of any existing partnership agreements.
• Prioritise workload in line with conflicting and changing priorities.

Due to the geographically dispersed nature of this role, this role may require occasional travel and overnight stays.

Person specification

As a Fraud Officer you will:

• Demonstrate effective, flexible leadership and communication skills with an ability to reach a diverse audience and be prepared to engage effectively with our partners.
• Have excellent organisational and planning capabilities.
• Demonstrate strong judgement and decision-making skills.
• Present information to internal and external audiences in a professional and credible manner.
• Be able to work effectively as an individual and as part of a team.
• Deal appropriately with challenging and vulnerable individuals.
• Inspire others through positivity, drive and energy in order to achieve outcomes and deliver change.
• Be willing to travel between sites if required depending on business needs.
• Have the ability to work in a demanding and complex environment with changing priorities.

Webinar event

We will be holding a webinar event to let you know more about these roles. This will take place on Wednesday 5th August 2026 between 12 noon and 1pm.

Please follow the link to register for the session - 471166 Fraud Officer Harrogate

** If the webinar page does not open, please check that pop-ups are enabled on your browser**.

Those who attend may be contacted following the event for evaluation purposes to improve our service.

Civil Service Careers

The attached link will take you to the Counter Fraud, Compliance and Debt website which gives you further information about these roles. CFCD , Civil Service Careers

Behaviours

We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:

• Delivering at Pace
• Making Effective Decisions
• Working Together

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £32,137, Department for Work and Pensions contributes £9,310 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides (opens in a new window).

DWP have a broad benefits package built around your work-life balance which includes:

• Working patterns to support work/life balance such as job sharing, term-time working, flexi-time and compressed hours.
• Generous annual leave – at least 23 days on entry, increasing up to 30 days over time (pro–rata for part time employees), plus 9 days public and privilege leave.
• Support for financial wellbeing, including interest-free season ticket loans for travel, a cycle to work scheme and an employee discount scheme.
• Health and wellbeing support including our Employee Assistance Programme for specialist advice and counselling and the opportunity to join HASSRA a first-class programme of competitions, activities and benefits for its members (subscription payable monthly).
• Family friendly policies including enhanced maternity and shared parental leave pay after 1 year’s continuous service.
• Funded learning and development to support progress in your role and career. This includes industry recognised qualifications and accreditations, coaching, mentoring and talent development programmes.
• An inclusive and diverse environment with opportunities to join professional and interpersonal networks including Women’s Network, National Race Network, National Disability Network (THRIVE) and many more.

Things you need to know

Artificial intelligence

Artificial intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action. Please see our candidate guidance (opens in a new window) for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.

Selection process details

This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours, Strengths, Ability and Experience.

Stage 1 - Application Form

Please complete the first stage short application form, which includes your personal details, eligibility to apply and any reasonable adjustments required.

Stage 2 – Online Test

After submission of your application, you will be invited to complete a Caseworker Skills Test. Please complete the online test as soon as possible (within 24 - 48 hours is recommended),