Council closing in on benefits cheats

BENEFIT cheats beware — Oldham Council is warning fraudsters that they will be caught and prosecuted.

Over the past 12 months, the council successfully prosecuted 22 benefit cheats, with a further 70 people accepting formal cautions and another 18 issued with penalty fines.

A total of £445,171 in falsely claimed benefits was uncovered, money that can now be used to improve the lives of taxpayers rather than supporting the lifestyles of criminals. The authority’s dedicated Counter Fraud Team is committed to making sure that taxpayers’ money only benefits those who are entitled to it — and to taking tough action against those who try to make fraudulent claims.

Councillor Mohammed Masud, Cabinet member for customer services, said: “Benefits cheats are stealing from people who genuinely need help for whatever reason. All the money they falsely claim is going into their own pockets when it could be used to improve services across the borough.

“Anyone who is fraudulently claiming benefits they are not entitled to should be warned — we will catch up with you and prosecute.”

To report a false benefit claim, call the Fraud Hotline on 0161-770 4969 or email investigations@oldham.gov.uk