07 October 2008A woman who tried to cheat tax payers out of almost £15,000 of their money after failing to declare an inheritance of £35,000 was successfully prosecuted last week.
Mrs Allison Sayari, 39, of Montgomery Road, South Darenth did not inform the Housing Benefit Department at Sevenoaks District Council of the inheritance and the fact that she had started receiving working tax credits from HM Revenues and Customs.
As a result of her actions Mrs Sayari received £11,433.58 in Housing Benefit and £3,201.66 in Council Tax Benefit which she knew she was not entitled to.
Last Thursday (15 May), at Sevenoaks Magistrates’ Court, Mrs Sayari pleaded guilty to two charges of failing to declare a relevant change in her circumstances and three charges relating to making false statements with regards to Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit claims paid by Sevenoaks District Council.
At court, Mrs Sayari was given a conditional discharge for two years and asked to pay costs of £100.
The overpayment came to light after a routine computer data-matching exercise. Sevenoaks District Council is actively seeking the repayment of the benefit claimed illegally.
This is the third successful prosecution for benefit fraud this month, during May the Council has successfully prosecuted three residents for more than £25,000 illegally claimed in benefit.
Cllr Brian Ramsay, Sevenoaks District Council’s Cabinet member with responsibility for finance, says: "Changes in circumstances can and often do affect entitlement to benefit, especially when the change involves a considerable sum of money as is the case here! We have a duty to all our Council Tax payers to ensure residents do not claim more benefit than they are allowed, as this money could be spent on important local services for the whole community. We will continue to be vigilant prosecuting those who we believe are committing benefit fraud.”
If the public has any information relating to benefit fraud, they can call Sevenoaks District Council's confidential benefit fraud hotline 24 hours a day, seven days a week on 01732 227445.
