| Data matching has become more widespread in recent times,
and is now done on a monthly basis. This is by far the most cost
effective and efficient way of investigating benefit fraud-the
results speak for themselves. Below are two brief case studies,
which show that crime definitely does not pay!
A customer who declared one of her jobs on her application form
for Housing and Council Tax benefit, failed to declare another job.
At interview, she made a full and frank admission of what she had
done, explaining that her reasons were motivated for financial
reasons. The case was referred for proceedings, and at court she
was found guilty, given a conditional discharge, and ordered to pay
£345 towards prosecution costs.
Another recent data match revealed that a local man had failed
to declare a substantial amount of capital to the Council on his
application for Housing and Council Tax benefit.
The subsequent investigation revealed that the claimant had
failed to declare 4 bank accounts, containing savings in excess of
£16,000. As a result, benefit amounting to almost £8,000 was
incorrectly paid out. When asked to explain his actions, he said:
'when you are in my shoes you think otherwise. You should think my
way, I have got the money, if I tell the Council the Council are
going to take it off me because I'm only allowed so much - it's as
simple as that'.
Clearly, these actions were not
acceptable, and the case was referred to our Legal department for
consideration of legal proceedings.
At Court in July 2007, he was
found guilty of making several false representations to claim
benefit, ordered to pay a fine of £2,000, and further ordered to
pay prosecution costs of £555. In addition, he will have to pay
back the £8,000 in overpaid
benefit. |