Every year in Moray up to £100,000 of Council Tax Benefit and Housing Benefit money is stolen. This money could be used to fund more teachers, better hospitals and care for the elderly. The Benefit Service has a dedicated anti-fraud team that investigate benefit fraud. Benefit fraud is not a victimless crime and it affects all of us.
What Happens if Someone is Committing Benefit Fraud?
Benefit fraud is a criminal offence and if we think someone is committing benefit fraud, we will carry out an investigation in to the claimant’s and/or landlord’s circumstances. The claimant’s benefit may be suspended while the matter is looked into. If this happens the claimant should receive a letter saying that their benefit has been suspended because there is a question as to their benefit entitlement. If we have evidence that someone is committing benefit fraud we may prosecute or ask for a penalty to be paid as an alternative to prosecution.
How Can you Help us in our Fight Against Benefit Cheats?
Do not help people who lie to us:
If someone who is not living at your address asks you if they can have their benefit post delivered to your address, say no.
Do not help people to cheat us:
If an employee asks you to sign a form to say that they earn less than you are paying them, say no.
Do not help people to steal your money:
Benefit fraud costs every household in this country over £80 a year. If you know that someone is lying to get benefit tell us. It is your money that they are stealing.
If you know that someone is behaving dishonestly and stealing benefits - phone Moray Council Benefits Service Confidential Anti-Fraud Benefits Hotline - 01343 563611