Benefit fraud totalled £168,000 last year

Wed, 23 May 2012

The Island’s benefit system was defrauded to the tune of £168,000 during the last financial year.

Figures have been released this week in response to a question the House of Keys from Onchan MHK Zac Hall.

He wanted to know how much money the Department of Social Care has paid out through error and as a result of fraud.

Over the last three years, benefit fraud totalled £416,000.

The amount paid out as a result of the Department making mistakes was over £60,000.

Although the sums seem large, they make up a very small part of the amount paid out in benefits annually.

The total last year exceeded £240m.