Cheats caught over £75,000 claims

A total of 45 people had action taken against them for benefit fraud worth up to £75,000 over a 12 month period, a Surrey council has revealed.

Reigate & Banstead Borough Council said between April 2008 and March 2009 nine people were prosecuted in court, 21 received cautions and 15 were fined.

Offences included undeclared partners, work or pensions, fraudulent tenancies and undeclared savings and property.

The council said it took "stringent steps" to recover fraudulent benefits.

Councillor Victor Broad added: "The council's benefit fraud team take positive action to prevent, detect and investigate benefit fraud in our community to ensure people are not claiming taxpayers' money that they are not entitled to, and benefit is only paid to people in genuine need.

"In most cases the fraud is a deliberate attempt to claim more money.

"However if you are claiming benefit or thinking of claiming benefit, it is important that the information you provide on your application is correct or that if you have any changes in circumstances that you inform the benefits team straight away."