Date: 23/01/2007
A Fairfield woman, who pleaded guilty to benefit fraud at Buxton Magistrates Court on Tuesday, January 23, 2007, was sentenced to 100 hours' unpaid work and will have to pay the Council"s costs of £216.
Diane Smith, aged 46, of 9 Woodland View, Fairfield Road, Buxton, admitted receiving housing benefit dishonestly, from July 12, 2005, to April 16, 2006.
Smith had become the owner of 9 Woodland View, the property she was living in, as a tenant, but had failed to report the change in her circumstances. Regulations state that to receive housing benefit, you must be a commercial tenant in a property.
Instead, she continued to receive housing benefit for her rent, and fraudulantly pocketed a total of £3,141.89p.
As soon as Smith became the legal owner of the property in July 2005, she should have told the council that she had no liability for rent anymore.
An anonymous letter brought her offence to the attention of the Council"s fraud team.
Councillor John Faulkner, Executive Member for Corporate Services, said: "The council welcomes information on benefit cheats. We will always pursue those who steal housing and council tax benefits. Please tell our fraud team if you know of anybody who is cheating in this way."
Since April 2006, the Council"s fraud team has identified overpayments totalling £137,000. In addition, six people have been prosecuted and 31 people have been sanctioned.
If you know anybody who is claiming housing benefit or council tax benefit falsely, you can phone High Peak Borough Council"s dedicated fraud hotline on 01298 28433. You do not have to leave your name.