An Oakington woman has been convicted of falsely claiming over £4,200 in council tax support from South Cambridgeshire District Council.
The offender must pay a total of more than £1,000 in costs and a fine – as well as paying all the money back - after pleading guilty to one count of council tax support fraud at Huntingdon Magistrates’ Court on March 02, 2022. She had not told the Council that she had savings, which led to her illegally claiming £4292.91 in council tax support between June 2014 and April 2020. She was ordered to pay a victim surcharge in addition to already paying back the full amount owed to the Council.
Council finance bosses say the case is a reminder to individuals to read the eligibility criteria for all benefits carefully, and to be truthful when making claims for assistance.
Cllr John Williams, South Cambridgeshire District Council’s Lead Cabinet Member for Finance, said: “The case highlights why it is so important that anyone claiming assistance grants or support must tell the truth."