Fraud Squad Fine Council Tax Benefit Cheat - £1830 to Repay + Fines & Costs

Central Beds Council fraud squad investigations have uncovered a woman in Sandy who was overpaid £1830 in council tax support because she had wrongfully claimed that her husband was not working. The woman now has to pay fines and fees of £640, as well as having to repay the overpaid council tax support benefit.

Councillor Richard Wenham, Executive Member for Corporate Resources, said: “Although Mrs Butler acknowledges that what she did was wrong, the fact is that by failing to declare her husband’s work, she was illegally claiming council tax support.

“Any fraud takes away money from others who genuinely need it, which is why we will always take action if we suspect any wrongdoing.”

Anyone who suspects that someone is fraudulently claiming benefits can call the council’s confidential 24-hour fraud hotline on 0300 300 5557.

Any residents who want information about paying their council tax or to find out whether they are eligible for council tax benefit can call the Money and Benefits Helpline on 0300 300 8306.