Fighting benefit fraud

Stratford-on-Avon District Council is warning people found to be abusing the housing benefit system that the threat of prosecution is real.   

The warning comes after investigation staff discovered that a claimant had fraudulently obtained £20,726 in benefits over a period of five years. The claimant from Bearley had failed to declare substantial savings, which would have nullified the claim.  

In October Leamington Magistrates Court heard a guilty plea to the offence. On hearing that the fraudulently obtained sum had been repaid in full, magistrates fined the offender £2500 and awarded costs of £1792 to the District Council.  

The case demonstrated how new and more effective counter-fraud techniques, such as data matching have been successfully employed in the fight against housing benefit fraud.  

The District Council wish to encourage people to report fraud using the confidential fraud hotline on 01789 260486 or e-mailing fraud@stratford-dc.gov.uk.