Rotherham Council pledges to track down housing benefit cheats

MORE than 230 people were charged with housing benefit fraud in Rotherham over the last year, according to new figures.

Successful prosecutions were brought against 32 people while a further 201 were cautioned or issued with penalties.

The figures are contained in Rotherham Borough Council’s annual Fraud Report which will be presented to councillors next week.

The report reveals that overall, the authority investigated more than 1,000 potentially fraudulent cases in 2011/12.

It recovered £2.52 million in overpayments of housing and council tax benefits made as a result of fraud or over claiming, compared to £2.45 million in 2010/11.

In one case, a claimant was sentenced to six months imprisonment for fraudulently claiming £30,000 in benefits over a ten year period.

Another claimant received a ten-week custodial sentence for falsely claiming over £12,000.

A council spokesman said that while the overall level of fraud remained very low, there was a significant number of housing benefit frauds committed across the borough.

Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Resources, Coun. Jahangir Akhtar, said: "Although the people who commit fraud are only a very small minority, they are attempting to deprive the honest majority of funds that would otherwise be available to them. One pound lost to fraud means one pound less for public services.

"It is only right, therefore, that we should pursue those committing fraud and recover monies for the benefit of all. I am pleased that we have an excellent track record in achieving this.

“Fraud is not acceptable and will not be tolerated. This report shows the Council remains vigilant to the risk of fraud and corruption."

The Council also made nine successful prosecutions against fraudulent blue badge permit users.

The council says anyone wishing to report any suspicions in relation to Benefit fraud should ring the Fraud Hotline for free on 0800 028 2080.

A copy of the Annual Fraud Report will be posted on the Council's website at www.rotherham.gov.uk after it is considered by councillors on Monday.

For a printed copy, write to Ms H Dale, Resources Directorate, Rotherham Borough Council, Riverside House, Main Street, Rotherham S60 1AE.