Benefit fraudsters in the Basildon area are being forced to think again thanks to a new initiative aiming to crack down on people trying to cheat the system.

The project combines the talents of Basildon Council's benefit team together with the Benefits Agency, Great Oaks, Basildon.

Cllr Tony Borlase, chairman of the resources committee reports that: "This careful approach to paying benefits helps act as a safeguard to both those in genuine need, and those who foot the bill."

In the last 18 months, the hi-tech service has uncovered falsified claims in excess of £200,000 where claimants deliberately omitted to mention relevant assets or sources of income.

Cllr Borlase added: "We continue to be fully committed to ensuring people receive each and every benefit they are entitled to. People making genuine claims have nothing to fear from initiatives like these."

When fraudulent claims are uncovered, appropriate action is taken to reclaim the money, including penalties with additional costs and even prosecution.

"People should take heed that we are continually seeking to improve the monitoring of all claims to make it as hard as possible for cheats" said Cllr Borlase.

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