Text messages rat on benefits cheats

Almost £500,000 has been recovered from fraudsters after a council set up a texting service for locals to finger benefits cheats.

The benefit fraud investigation unit at a Yorkshire council has issued 106 sanctions against fraudsters since it introduced the service earlier this year. The council said the investigation team has received more than 500 referrals during that time.

Andy Hardy, fraud investigation manager at the East Riding of Yorkshire Council, said: "Benefit fraud accounts for £600m a year. We've identified half a million pounds in benefit fraud. We thought we could get the public to text us."

Hardy said the council also has an email service and fraud referral leaflets placed in leisure centres, which have contributed to the scheme. "This was just another route," he said.

The £435,000 reclaimed by the council marks an increase of 50.95 per cent compared with recorded figures from this time last year.

After a tip-off, the council carries out background checks on housing and council tax benefits records against suspects and compares them with bank, building society and pension records.

Once an inappropriate claim has been detected, the council then decides whether to caution, penalise or prosecute a benefit cheat.

Since April, the council has prosecuted 21 benefit cheats, issued 65 administrative penalties and issued 20 cautions.