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New powers to aid Government fraud investigators: Credit reference information will trap benefit thieves
From March Department for Work and Pensions [DWP] fraud investigators will use new powers to access data held by credit reference agencies to pinpoint benefit cheats who are living together but claiming to be single for benefit purposes. Data matching pinpoints areas where fraudsters' circumstances are clearly different to those declared on their benefit claim, for example, their level of income or the amount they have in savings. Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, Peter Hain said: "We have had great success in cutting benefit fraud by more than half since 2000, as the National Audit Office [NAO] has recognised today, 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 that identify £24 of fraud for every £1 spent. By extending this to credit reference agencies we can further reduce the amount of fraud, ensuring cash goes to those who really deserve it. "We are determined to stop this disgraceful and shameless theft." For further information visit the DWP website at: www.dwp.gov.uk. From your browser | Email the page | Email the page link | Print the page | Add page to favourites ········································································································································
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