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28/06/2004
Ad campaign warns benefits fraudsters to think twice
A new campaign is warning benefit fraudsters to think twice before they try and cheat the system.
New adverts featuring former James Bond villain Stephen Berkoff will warn people that the government is serious about cracking down on benefit fraud.
Investigators have the power to put suspected fraudsters under surveillance and can turn up unannounced at their workplace.
Benefit cheats steal £2 billion of public money every year - £80 for every family in Britain.
Anti-fraud Minister Chris Pond said: "We've already cut fraud in Income Support and Jobseekers Allowance by 38% so we're on course to hit our target of cutting fraud in half by 2006. But we need help from the public to get there."
He urged people who know someone who's committing benefit fraud to call the national benefit fraud hotline in confidence on 0800 854440. Lines are open between 7am and 11pm seven days a week and reports can also be made online.
(gmcg)
New adverts featuring former James Bond villain Stephen Berkoff will warn people that the government is serious about cracking down on benefit fraud.
Investigators have the power to put suspected fraudsters under surveillance and can turn up unannounced at their workplace.
Benefit cheats steal £2 billion of public money every year - £80 for every family in Britain.
Anti-fraud Minister Chris Pond said: "We've already cut fraud in Income Support and Jobseekers Allowance by 38% so we're on course to hit our target of cutting fraud in half by 2006. But we need help from the public to get there."
He urged people who know someone who's committing benefit fraud to call the national benefit fraud hotline in confidence on 0800 854440. Lines are open between 7am and 11pm seven days a week and reports can also be made online.
(gmcg)
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26 March 2004
Maxine Carr in court over benefit fraud charges
Maxine Carr, the former girlfriend of Soham murderer Ian Huntley, has appeared before Peterborough magistrates court today charged with benefit fraud and lying on job applications. Carr is accused of fraudulently obtaining more than £3,300 in various bogus benefits claims and lying about her GCSE results in job applications.
Maxine Carr in court over benefit fraud charges
Maxine Carr, the former girlfriend of Soham murderer Ian Huntley, has appeared before Peterborough magistrates court today charged with benefit fraud and lying on job applications. Carr is accused of fraudulently obtaining more than £3,300 in various bogus benefits claims and lying about her GCSE results in job applications.
21 January 2004
Conviction warning for benefits fraudsters
The government have claimed a victory today in the fight against benefits fraud following the conviction of a 41-year-old man at Luton Crown. David Thompson, 41, of no fixed abode, was sentenced to four and a half years at Luton Crown Court for his part in a scam to steal public money by presenting counterfeit giros at post offices.
Conviction warning for benefits fraudsters
The government have claimed a victory today in the fight against benefits fraud following the conviction of a 41-year-old man at Luton Crown. David Thompson, 41, of no fixed abode, was sentenced to four and a half years at Luton Crown Court for his part in a scam to steal public money by presenting counterfeit giros at post offices.
17 December 2004
Benefits fraud cut by over one billion pounds
Benefits fraud has been slashed by half, saving over £1 billion according to Government statistics published today. The Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) reported exceeding a target to cut fraud and error in the main benefits by one third by March 2004.
Benefits fraud cut by over one billion pounds
Benefits fraud has been slashed by half, saving over £1 billion according to Government statistics published today. The Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) reported exceeding a target to cut fraud and error in the main benefits by one third by March 2004.
30 January 2006
Fraud level triples in a year
A surge in fraud cases in the second half of in 2005 resulted in over £900 million of fraud being recorded - up nearly three times from the previous year's £329 million.
Fraud level triples in a year
A surge in fraud cases in the second half of in 2005 resulted in over £900 million of fraud being recorded - up nearly three times from the previous year's £329 million.
12 February 2004
Benefit fraud crackdown saves taxpayers £400m
A government crackdown against fraud and error has saved £400 million of taxpayers money, according official statistics released today. The figures showed that overpayments in 2002/03 were £400 million less than they would have been if fraud and error had stayed at the same level as the baseline year of 1997/98.
Benefit fraud crackdown saves taxpayers £400m
A government crackdown against fraud and error has saved £400 million of taxpayers money, according official statistics released today. The figures showed that overpayments in 2002/03 were £400 million less than they would have been if fraud and error had stayed at the same level as the baseline year of 1997/98.
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:It will be cloudy again throughout the day. Mainly dry in the morning, but patchy drizzle in places, becoming more widespread and persistent in the afternoon. Freshening southwesterly winds. Maximum temperature 12 °C.Tonight:Cloudy with a spell of heavy rain pushing south through late evening and the early hours, followed by some clear spells. Minimum temperature 6 °C.
