How IEG4’s System Helps Councils Protect Genuine Badge Holders

A Blue Badge gives people the freedom to park closer to essential services, making daily activities such as shopping, attending medical appointments, or commuting to work much easier. Without it, many individuals would face significant barriers to mobility and independence.

Unfortunately, the very system designed to empower and protect disabled citizens has been a target for fraud. From forged or stolen badges to online scams, fraudsters exploit loopholes, leaving genuine badge holders at a disadvantage. Every fraudulent badge in circulation means fewer parking spaces for those who truly rely on them.

Local councils and law enforcement continue to tackle this growing problem, but the reality is that fraudsters are getting smarter. Earlier this year, Croydon Council launched a borough-wide crackdown to tackle misuse, from counterfeit and stolen permits to badges belonging to deceased people – highlighting just how serious the impact can be on genuine badge holders.

IEG4’s (part of IEG Group) Digital Concessionary Travel System was built with counter-fraud measures at its core, giving councils the confidence that every application, renewal and badge issued has been through rigorous checks.

Here’s how we help safeguard the integrity of the scheme:

• Configurable Eligibility Workflows
  Councils can apply consistent, tailored screening processes, including both desk-based and face-to-face assessments, ensuring only eligible applicants are approved.
• Built-in Verification Stages
  Authorisations can be restricted to designated officers through security permissions, reducing the risk of improper approvals.
• Secure Evidence Management
  Applicants upload required evidence via a secure portal, with documents stored directly against each case. Assessors have everything in one place, reducing the chances of tampered or falsified evidence slipping through.
• Complete Communication History
  All notifications and messages sent to applicants are automatically stored, ensuring transparency and assisting councils in identifying inconsistencies in case records.
• Full Audit Trail
  Every action, from application submission to badge distribution is tracked. Councils can see exactly who viewed, updated, or authorised a case, with date and time stamps, providing a clear deterrent against misuse.
• Duplicate Badge Alerts
  The system flags if a citizen already holds a badge; stopping fraudulent or duplicate applications before they are approved.
• Badge History Tracking
  From go-live, councils can upload all existing badge data, allowing them to track replacements and renewals seamlessly while preventing overlap or duplication.
• Fraud-Resistant Payments
  Integration with Gov.UK Pay and Pay360 (now Access PaySuite) ensures that payments go through secure channels with their own built-in fraud safeguards.
• Heat Map Reporting
  Our visual reporting tools help councils spot patterns, such as multiple badges being registered to the same address, enabling them to investigate potential misuse quickly.

Blue Badge fraud isn’t just a council problem. It impacts real people who depend on the scheme for their independence.

By combining robust technology with configurable processes, IEG4 empowers councils to identify and prevent fraudulent activity while still providing a smooth, fair and supportive service to genuine badge holders.

Blue Badge fraud may be evolving, but councils don’t have to fight it alone. With IEG4’s intelligent system, local authorities can stay ahead of fraudsters, safeguard accessibility for disabled people, and maintain public trust in the scheme.