Crackdown on benefit cheats

1:15pm Friday 22nd February 2008

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WYRE Forest District Council's benefit fraud team is cracking down on people who cheat the benefit system.

Between April, 2007 and January, 2008, the team completed 206 investigations into allegations of fraud in the area and found more than £140,000 had been paid to people making false claims. The overpayments are currently being recovered.

The offences included people working and claiming benefits, not declaring pensions or capital and also not telling the authority that the number of people living in their households had changed.

Twenty people were prosecuted through the courts and their sentences included jail terms, community work and fines. Other cheats were handed administrative penalties, similar to a fine or a caution.

Conservative councillor, John Campion, Leader of the council said: "It is the responsibility of the claimant to let us know if their circumstances have changed. Even if they have told other benefit offices, such as Jobcentre Plus or the Pension Service - they still need to notify the council.

"We work with other agencies and cross-reference data and will investigate any mismatches.

"It is important to remember that claiming benefits that you are not entitled to affects the rest of our society, who have to pick up the bill.

"We're protecting the public purse to ensure payments of benefits are made to people who genuinely need financial help."

Wyre Forest District Council has a confidential benefit fraud hotline for reports of suspected false claims - 01562 732658. Anyone wanting to speak to someone in person can call 01562 732638, during office hours.

E-mails can also be sent from the automatic link in the fraud section of the council's website, at www.wyreforestdc.gov.uk.