Fraud probe for town?

A SURVEY on potential fraud in Warrington – covering areas such as payroll and pensions, benefits and insurance claims – is currently being investigated.
A National Fraud Initiative (NFI) exercise, which matches data across organisations and systems to help public bodies identify potentially fraudulent claims and transactions, was recently undertaken in the town.
The last one, carried out in 2011/12, recovered more than £175,000 in errors and overpayments in the borough. It resulted in four prosecutions and six official cautions being issued.
The NFI also covers Blue Badges, Residents Parking Permits and licences (personal alcohol, taxi, market traders).
Cllr Russ Bowden, the borough council’s executive member for corporate resources and assignments, said: “Our advice is that everyone should ensure they provide correct and complete information in any claims and applications and should notify us of any changes in their circumstances as soon as possible.”
The National Fraud Authority estimates that fraud costs the UK economy over £73 billion each year, of this £6.3 billion has been attributed to fraud within public service providers eg the NHS, local government and the benefits and tax credits systems.