By Andy McCue, 3 October 2005 00:05
NEWS Benefit cheats are being targeted by a new government campaign warning of a "Robocop"-style crackdown using fraud-busting technology and computer systems.
A series of radio, TV and newspaper adverts from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) will attempt to put the frighteners on fraudsters by describing "powerful computer systems" that help identify cheats by constantly cross-referencing information across government departments.
One of the techniques used by the DWP includes scanning data sources such as those held by the Inland Revenue to check for inconsistencies and pinpoint people who falsely claim benefits despite being registered for work.
Anti-fraud minister James Plaskitt said in a statement: "Robocop was Hollywood fiction but using technology to catch benefit cheats is now a fact. We are uncovering fraud earlier and in the last year £53m of taxpayer's money was recovered in this way. The campaign is also about deterring potential fraudsters with the warning - you may not hear them but our computers will find you."
The DWP has been set targets to reduce fraud and error in Income Support and Jobseeker's Allowance by 50 per cent by March 2006 and to reduce fraud and error in Housing Benefit by 25 per cent by the same date.
The DWP was criticised earlier this year by the National Audit Office and the Public Accounts Committee over the £3bn in benefit money lost every year due to fraud and error.
Comments
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1. anonymous
The fact that they're making adverts suggests:
(i) a system exists (I'm assuming it's not another "TV detector van")
(ii) it only catches the really obvious fraudsters
(iii) they're hoping the advertising frightens the "minnows" (who would probably otherwise evade detection) to stop making false claims
If the system was any good, they'd save the money they've spent making adverts about it and simply use the system to do what it purports to be able to do -- catch benefits cheats.
2. anonymous
May the place to star off with will need to be closer to home eg offices of DWP and the government offices where there is so much rife and inconsistencies eg pension payouts, poor investments, inconsistency in calculations etc....
3. Simon Allen
I suggest that the main reason for advertising is political. They want the Daily Mail to know that they are doing this to show how tough they are!