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National Fraud Initiative

A data matching exercise operated by the Public Sector Fraud Authority that helps prevent and detect fraud.

Updates to this page

From:
Public Sector Fraud Authority
Published:
20 March 2015
Last updated:
7 August 2026
Show all updates

  1. Updated to reflect the change of ownership of the page from Cabinet Office to Department for Work and Pensions

  2. Updated the URL to the privacy notice in the Working with the National Fraud Initiative text

  3. Added a link to the page: National Fraud Initiative: pilot data specifications

  4. Added a new collection and link to the page: National Fraud Initiative strategy

  5. Added a link to the page: National Fraud Initiative 2024 to 2025: work programme and fees

  6. Added additional link in the press release section to page: More than £400m saved as government takes fight to public purse bandits

  7. Added link to consultation on proposed work programme and scale of fees for 2022 to 2023.

  8. Addition of "Consultation on the expansion of the National Fraud Initiative (NFI) Data Matching Powers and the new Code of Data Matching Practice".

  9. Updated with press release: "Benefits fraudsters are shown the red light by government scheme"

  10. Addition of the consultation 'National Fraud Initiative 2020 to 2021: programme and fees'.

  11. Added 'Press releases' group and linked press release.

  12. Content updated.

  13. Added consultation

  14. Added National Fraud Initiative report November 2016.

  15. Added link to National Fraud Initiative 2016/17: programme and fees

  16. First published.

Machinery of Government Transfer Notice

The Public Sector Fraud Authority (PSFA), which leads the National Fraud Initiative (NFI), is in the process of transferring from the Cabinet Office to the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP). Your legal duties and powers to submit data under Part 6 / Schedule 9 of the Local Audit and Accountability Act 2014 remain fully in force and unchanged. 

The NFI web application and data matching services, which are operated via our contracted supplier, remain completely unchanged. There will be no technical migration, downtime, or changes to how or where data is processed.                                                                   

Please continue to use your established NFI web application portal, helpdesk, and operational teams for technical assistance or data queries as normal. Further updates on the formal transfer of statutory functions will be communicated to all participating bodies in due course.

The National Fraud Initiative (NFI) is an exercise that matches electronic data within and between public and private sector bodies to prevent and detect fraud.

Please note: bodies in Northern Ireland, Scotland, and Wales should refer to the Northern Ireland Audit Office, Audit Scotland, and the Wales Audit Office websites for more information about taking part in the NFI.

Working with the National Fraud Initiative

Information about working with the NFI, including timescales, case studies, obligations under the Data Protection Act, and general guidance.

View the privacy notice full text and contact details for the NFI.

Public sector

Information for public sector bodies, including data requirements and specifications, fees, and details of additional services that are available.

Private sector

About the National Fraud Initiative

View contact information for the NFI.

National Fraud Initiative reports

The National Fraud Initiative (NFI) reports set out the findings from the two-yearly mandatory exercise.

National Fraud Initiative strategy

This strategy aims to enhance the NFI through innovation, increased data access and insight, whilst maintaining the highest standards of service quality and data security. By improving training and support for participants and fostering greater engagement, it will maximise fraud detection outcomes and build new counter-fraud partnerships across sectors.

Press releases

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