28 June 2004 - Hard-hitting warning for benefit fraudsters: “Think twice”
Hard-hitting radio adverts warning benefit fraudsters of the serious risks they run are launched today by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP).
The chilling adverts, featuring former Bond villain Stephen Berkoff, leave listeners in no doubt that the DWP is cracking down on cheats.
They also warn any fraudsters listening that each day hundreds of fraudsters are caught or reported to the Benefit Fraud Hotline by people who agree that benefit fraud is no different to stealing and should be stamped out.
The sinister voice-over tells fraudsters to “think twice before you clock-on or log-in, or even serve a customer.” Fraud investigators have the power to put suspected fraudsters under surveillance and can even turn up unannounced at their place of work.
By sharing information with other departments and agencies, DWP now knows when and where people try to commit benefit fraud.
Anti-fraud Minister Chris Pond commented: “Anyone who hears these adverts will be in no doubt that the Government is serious about cracking down on benefit fraud.
“The adverts are hard hitting and so is our attitude to cheats who steal taxpayers’ money. That money should be spent on schools, hospitals and other public services.
“Fraudsters steal £2 billion of public money every year – that’s £80 for every family in Great Britain. We’ve already cut fraud in Income Support and Jobseekers Allowance by 38% so we’re on course to hit our target of cutting fraud in half by 2006. But we need help from the public to get there. If you know someone who’s committing benefit fraud, call the National Benefit fraud Hotline in confidence on 0800 854440.”
Notes for editors
- The radio adverts will run until the end of July. Television adverts, billboard posters, local press adverts and “ambient” advertising can also be seen as part of the Targeting Benefit Fraud campaign.
- The National Benefit Fraud Hotline number is 0800 854 440. Lines are open between 7am and 11pm seven days a week or you can report a cheat online via: www.targetingbenefitfraud.gov.uk
- Latest regional figures (April 02 - March 03) for fraud and error in Income Support and Job Seekers Allowance are: North East - £34 million; North West - £135 million; Yorkshire - £87 million; East Midlands - £45 million; West Midlands - £64 million; East of England - £54 million; London - £208 million; South East - £107 million; South West - £49 million; Wales - £43 million; Scotland - £95 million.
- The Department for Work and Pensions has targets to reduce fraud and error in Income Support and Jobseeker’s Allowance by 33 per cent by March 2004 and by 50 per cent by March 2006. The department also has a target to reduce fraud and error in Housing Benefit by 25 per cent by March 2006.
- DWP, in partnership with local authorities, is carrying out more prosecutions and sanctions against fraudsters than ever before – in 2002/03 there were over 32,000 prosecutions and sanctions. The Fraud Act 2001 gave fraud investigators more powers to catch and punish offenders, including greater powers to check records with other organisations.
- The new Targeting Fraud campaign was launched in June 2003 with the slogan “We’re on to you.” It features a sinister spotlight that follows fraudsters as they work, to warn potential cheats the Department knows when and where people try to commit benefit fraud.
For more information contact Ruth McAllister or Kathy Barlow on 020 7238 0758/072
Press office: 020 7238 0866
Out of hours: 07659 108883
Public enquiries: 020 7712 2171