5 JUNE 2006 - PEOPLE making fraudulent claims for council tax or housing benefit are being found out as Harrogate Borough Council's Benefit Fraud Investigation Team uses its authorised powers to find and prosecute.

 

Staff in the Fraud Section of the council's Benefits Service are successfully using data monitoring powers under the Social Securities Act to bring benefit cheats to court.  Working alongside prosecutors at the County Court all cases sent for prosecution have resulted in a conviction.

 

Members of the team can also 'require' employers, banks and building societies to provide financial information where it is proved to be justifiable as part of their investigations. 

 

Councillor Andrew Jones, Cabinet Member for Resources, has congratulated the Team on their successful use of these powers, which has resulted in the prosecution of 11 cases of benefit fraud amounting to over £90,000.

 

He said:  "People who commit benefit fraud are essentially stealing from their fellow citizens.  It is an issue that has a significant impact on the public purse, so it is good to see the council's team have success in combating this problem.  As well as having to repay the money they wrongly claimed, benefit cheats have been shown how seriously the court considers these offences. As well as heavily fining these cheats, the latest case resulted in an 18-month custodial sentence.

 

"Many people have a right to claim benefit and we urge them to do so, but those who try to claim money they are not entitled to should heed this warning.  We will not tolerate benefit cheats and will do all we can to bring them to court."

 

The council operates a benefit fraud hotline.  Anyone who thinks they know someone who is making false claims, can call 01423 556466 in the strictest confidence.  ENDS