Two cheats have been in court this week for stealing thousands of pounds from the public purse for falsely claiming benefits. They both avoided jail, but their stories have appeared in The Press for all to see. Here, reporter Richard Harris takes a closer look at benefit fraud.

IT MAY seem like a victimless crime, but benefit fraud means higher taxes for everyone else.

During the last financial year in North Yorkshire, 208 people were interviewed by Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) benefit fraud investigators and received a caution or fine in addition to having to pay back all the money they had stolen.

A further 68 people were taken to court and prosecuted and faced the prospect of jail. These figures compare with 2267 and 723 respectively for Yorkshire & Humber as a whole for last year.

Benefit fraud can take various guises.

It includes:

* Failing to declare earnings while claiming benefit* Claiming as a single person when in fact you are living with someone as part of a couple* Not declaring the true extent of your savings or property, since there is a limit on the amount of savings you can have and still claim.

* Claiming to be disabled and that you are physically unable to work, when in fact this is not the case.

But the Government is cracking down. A high-profile advertising campaign last year called No Ifs, No Buts highlighted the risks that benefit cheats face and the powers that investigators have.

Vernon Sanderson, area fraud manager for Yorkshire and Humber at the DWP said the campaign had worked.

He said: "Thanks to the advertising campaign and the many court cases reported in the media, the message is very much getting through; benefit crime isn't worth it. You not only face going to court and a possible prison sentence, but you also have to pay back all the money. We take a tough line on benefit thieves because they take money intended for the most vulnerable in our society."

When getting evidence for suspected cases of benefit fraud, DWP inspectors use various methods.

People can be put under surveillance to find concrete proof that they are working while still claiming or even that they are fit to work but won't. Investigators have the authority to access Government computer systems, bank accounts and savings and to check investments.

They also confirm details with employers and use utility bills to check for inconsistencies with what the suspect has told the benefits office.

They also have a close working relationship with the police HM Revenue and Customs, local authorities and the criminal justice system. To report benefit fraud anonymously and in confidence, phone 0800 854440.


New powers in place

NEW powers are now in place to stop certain benefit cheats in their tracks.

Last week, the former Secretary of State For Work and Pensions, Peter Hain said that fraud investigators would now use information held by credit reference agencies to pinpoint benefit cheats who are living together but claiming to be single for benefit purposes.

Mr Hain said: "We have had great success in cutting benefit fraud by more than half since 2000, as the NAO has recognised, but we know that thieves are intent on stealing money from those most in need. We have identified areas that require immediate action. Living together fraud is now the single largest element of fraud in income support and we aim to make significant savings by stopping these cheats.

"We already use data matching services with banks, utility companies and others. By extending this to credit reference agencies we can further reduce the amount of fraud, ensuring cash goes to those who really deserve it.

Data matching pinpoints areas where fraudsters' circumstances are different to those declared on their claim.


He just fills his flask up'

HERE are a few of the interesting excuses that people suspected of benefit fraud offer.

* "We don't live together; he just comes each morning to fill up his flask."

* "I didn't declare my savings because I didn't save them, they were given to me."

* "It's not my money. Someone's stolen my identity and put tens of thousands of pounds in an account in my name."

* "It looks like me on the CCTV going to work, but it's not."

* "He doesn't live in the house with me, he lives in the shed."