No benefit in fraud

Stratford-on-Avon District Council is again warning people found to be abusing the Housing and Council Tax Benefit system that the threat of prosecution is real.

The warning comes after investigation staff discovered that a claimant had fraudulently been claiming Housing and Council Tax Benefit and had failed to declare to the District Council that his circumstances had changed.

The claimant, Mr Jason Yap of Stratford-upon-Avon, admitted failing to declare that he had started work in 2007, knowing that his earnings would have an effect on his award of Housing and Council Tax Benefit.  The offence continued over a two year period until District Council Investigators uncovered the fraud, which resulted in overpayments of both benefits totalling nearly £14,000.

When summonsed to Stratford Magistrates Court in January, he pleaded guilty to the offence. Magistrates handed down sentence of 150 hours unpaid work in the community and to pay £200 towards prosecution costs.

Stratford-on-Avon District Council is committed to paying Housing & Council Tax Benefits to only those with a genuine entitlement, and is dedicated to fighting fraud.  Reminding every person making claims to benefits from the public fund that it is their responsibility to report changes which may affect their claim to the Council, as soon as such a change occurs is part of that drive to combat fraud.

If you wish to report a suspected fraud you can contact the District Council via our fraud hotline on 01789 260486 or via email to fraud@stratford-dc.gov.uk

Alternatively, you can ring the National Benefit Fraud Hotline on 0800 328 6340 - Monday to Friday, from 8.30am to 6.30pm (the information will be passed to investigators in the appropriate local authority).

All information will be treated in confidence.