A woman has been successfully prosecuted after receiving nearly £28,000 in benefits despite having £27,000 in savings.
Elizabeth Lauder, from Aylesbury, had £27,000 in bank accounts prior to making her benefit claim in 2010. As a result of her failure to notify the district council of her true circumstances, she was overpaid £24,101 in housing benefit and £3,706 in council tax benefit and council tax reduction. Miss Lauder, 38, was fined £200 and ordered to pay £670 costs and a £20 victim surcharge.
Another resident, William Page, 57, from Aston Clinton, was also prosecuted for not declaring savings of more than £100,000 when claiming housing and council tax benefit. He received £22,232 in council tax and housing benefit that he was not entitled to between June 2010 and February 2014. He was ordered to pay a fine of £885, costs of £915 and a victim surcharge of £30.
Source
Benefit thieves do it for the money. They should have to pay back twice what they stole. They should not be eligible for any benefits until they have, and they should have to do some unpaid work every week until the debt to society is cleared.
That would be a deterrent.
A confiscation order should be made immediately. Hit them in the pocket!
Elizabeth Lauder, from Aylesbury, had £27,000 in bank accounts prior to making her benefit claim in 2010. As a result of her failure to notify the district council of her true circumstances, she was overpaid £24,101 in housing benefit and £3,706 in council tax benefit and council tax reduction. Miss Lauder, 38, was fined £200 and ordered to pay £670 costs and a £20 victim surcharge.
Another resident, William Page, 57, from Aston Clinton, was also prosecuted for not declaring savings of more than £100,000 when claiming housing and council tax benefit. He received £22,232 in council tax and housing benefit that he was not entitled to between June 2010 and February 2014. He was ordered to pay a fine of £885, costs of £915 and a victim surcharge of £30.
Source
Benefit thieves do it for the money. They should have to pay back twice what they stole. They should not be eligible for any benefits until they have, and they should have to do some unpaid work every week until the debt to society is cleared.
That would be a deterrent.
A confiscation order should be made immediately. Hit them in the pocket!