Taxpayers ‘must shop fraudsters’

Crimefighting hotline Crimestoppers and the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) are boosting awareness about the crime to encourage people to inform.

The National Fraud Authority says cheats carve an annual £38bn hole in Britain’s finances.

Officials said if the cost of fraud was broken down individually it would leave every adult with a bill for £765 in increased prices.

The most common types of fraud are claimants who say they are a single parent when they in fact live with their partner. Other types include individuals not declaring properties they rent out or not declaring income from jobs, saying they cannot find work.

Dave Cording, deputy chief executive at Crimestoppers, said: “We are very glad to help stop benefit fraud in this national campaign, as part of our ongoing efforts to help fight crime together with the police and communities.

“Benefit fraud forces honest taxpayers to pay more, takes money away from those who genuinely need it, and exploits others’ honesty.”

Lord Freud, Minister for Welfare Reform, said: “Benefit thieves are costing the taxpayer over £1bn per year.”

Anyone with information is urged to contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or by visiting www.crimestoppers-uk.org