Benefit fraud will not be tolerated – that’s the message from Denbighshire County Council as it raises awareness of how people can report any suspected cases.
Benefit fraud is a criminal offence involving false claims for benefits such as housing, council tax benefit and income support. There are many types of fraud: including people working and claiming at the same time, failing to disclose information regarding personal circumstances, failing to promptly report a change in their circumstances and false address fraud.
The Government has estimated that benefit fraud costs the country approximately £80 per household. The total loss to welfare benefit fraud nationally is estimated to be over £1 billion.
In 2010/11, 273 cases of alleged benefit fraud were investigated in Denbighshire.
There were 10 successful prosecutions (seven of which were joint prosecutions with the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP), one joint prosecution with the DWP’s Organised Fraud Team and other local authorities and one joint prosecution with Anglesey Council. A number of cases are still progressing through the courts.
72 administrative penalties were issued during the 12 month period and there were 26 cautions. Benefit overpayments which are identified are actively recovered by all means available.
One of the most recent high profile prosecutions taken by the Council, in partnership with the DWP, was that of a woman who stole the identity of a dead baby and used it to falsely obtain housing and council tax benefits and a false passport. She also falsely obtained Job Seekers Allowance and failed to tell the DWP that her disability had “improved.”
Councillor Julian Thompson-Hill, Cabinet Lead Member for Finance and Efficiency, said: “There are many people in our communities who rely on benefits and are legitimately entitled to claim.
“However there are some people in our communities that do not consider the implications of benefit fraud. This kind of fraud takes money away from vital services, both locally and nationally and is a drain on local and central government resources.
“In Denbighshire, we have a dedicated team of investigators qualified to carry out professional and detailed investigations into potential and actual benefit fraud. Anyone suspected of benefit fraud will be interviewed under caution and the action we may take could include prosecution, a fine or issue a formal caution.
“We will not hesitate in using the powers available to us to stamp out benefit fraud in our county. It is simply unacceptable.”
Anyone wishing to report cases of benefit fraud or who may be suspicious about someone claiming should contact Denbighshire’s Compliance Team face to face at Russell House, Rhyl or by letter; by phone 01824 706344 / 706345 / 706435, by email to [email protected], through the Council’s One Stop Shops or via the website: www.denbighshire.gov.uk
Any information provided will be dealt with confidentially and investigated thoroughly.
