Ipswich investigators save around £6.5 million of public money from fraudsters
The council's fraud team uncovered 50 cases of things like fraudulent Right to Buy applications and applications for Covid-19 grants
Ipswich Borough Council says it's managed to stop around £6.5 million worth of public money ending up in the hands of fraudsters in the past year.
The council's fraud team uncovered 50 cases of things like fraudulent Right to Buy applications and applications for Covid-19 grants.
Several individuals and firms were forced to hand cash back after claiming money they weren't entitled to.
34 Right to Buy applications were cancelled, which the councils says provided £6,137,924 of prevented losses by 'retaining these properties within council housing stock and continuing to yield monthly rental income'.
£30,500 of ineligible Covid-19 grant payments were identified, resulting in two applications being prevented and two payments being recovered.
A further £6,584 was identified as incorrectly claimed Single Person Discount and Council Tax Reduction, and these amounts have been fully recovered.
Councillor Martin Cook, Ipswich Borough Council Portfolio Holder for Resources, says:
“These are excellent results from our Corporate Fraud Service. The prevention of fraudulent activity helps us to protect taxpayers.
"With increased pressure on local government, and a reduction in central government funding, it’s never been more important for our Corporate Fraud Services to tackle fraud and protect those that truly need our help.”