Legal action taken against benefit cheats
Released: 18 January 2008
Wolverhampton City Council’s Benefit Fraud Officers have investigated and closed files on over 470 benefit fraud cases to date this current financial year.
From those 470 cases action has already been taken against some 133 benefit cheats so far.
A further 500 files are still open and under investigation.
Cabinet Member for Resources and Support, Councillor Andrew Johnson, said: "The city council is determined to stamp out benefit fraud".
"We have a fine team of specialist officers working diligently to stop these abuses and we also need the public's help to continue the fight against the city's fraudsters by letting us know where they have suspicions of benefit fraud", he added.
Figures recently reported to the Director for Resources and Support, Brian Bailey show that 36 people have been formally prosecuted, while another 43 were given cautions that stay on record for five years.
A further 54 people were fined 30 per cent of what they owed. All 133 will have to repay their incorrectly claimed benefits.
These figures, which cover both Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit, represent a substantial increase on previous years, largely due to enhanced arrangements for investigations.
In the financial year 2006/7 there were a total of 124 sanctions (the overall term for action against benefit cheats which could be prosecution, caution or fine) and in 2005/6 it was 131.
The council works closely with other agencies, primarily Department for Work & Pensions (DWP), to counter fraudsters as efficiently as possible.
The investigators of both organisations have powers to check bank accounts, savings and investments on other Government computer systems, inconsistencies on bills, and work closely with Police, other councils and the courts.
Benefit customers are required to report any changes that might affect their payments like changes to income, wages and to other benefits, people joining or leaving the household, pensions and savings.
Prompt reporting saves people having to repay any overpaid benefit and allows investigators to concentrate on deliberate fraudsters.
Changes can be reported by calling City Direct on 01902 551166 or in writing to Wolverhampton City Council, Civic Centre, St Peter’s Square, Wolverhampton WV1 1ZT.
Fraudsters can also be reported on the same number or by emailing benefits.fraud@wolverhampton.gov.uk or contacting an out of hours answer phone 01902 554779.
Issued by the press office.