Fraudster fined for claiming benefit
A FRAUDSTER who falsely claimed housing benefit has been fined £250.Appearing in front of Ipswich magistrates on Monday , Joanne Weir, of Hall Road, Marlesford, pleaded guilty to making a false representation when claiming housing benefit.
A FRAUDSTER who falsely claimed housing benefit has been fined £250.
Appearing in front of Ipswich magistrates on Monday , Joanne Weir, of Hall Road, Marlesford, pleaded guilty to making a false representation when claiming housing benefit.
In her application for benefit Weir falsely claimed that the person sharing her house was not her partner.
No housing benefits were ever paid out as she found a job before the claim was fully processed but an initial check highlighted the discrepancy in her story.
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Three other people were also taken to court by Suffolk Coastal council on Monday. All three pleaded guilty, two of them will be sentenced later this week, and the other's case has been adjourned for three weeks.
Chris Slemmings, Suffolk Coastal's cabinet member for housing said: "These cases should be another important warning to anyone thinking of attempting to cheat the benefits system. This council's fraud investigation team is successfully identifying fraudsters and we will prosecute, even if no payments have been made.
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"This council encourages residents to claim all those benefits to which they are entitled, but we are also firmly committed to investigating anyone who is trying to cheat the system and will take whatever action is appropriate against proven cheats."
People receiving benefits should notify the council on 01394 444674 if there is a change in their circumstances.
There is also a fraud hotline that residents can call confidentially, 24 hours a day, and report suspected benefit frauds to the council, on 01394 444444.
They can also email fraud.investigation@suffolkcoastal.gov.uk
