A woman who fraudulently claimed more than £3,500 in benefit she was not entitled to has been sentenced to a 12-month community order.
64-year-old Anne McCrossan, from Honeypot Road, Brompton-on-Swale, had been claiming council tax reduction from Richmondshire District Council for a number of years.
But an investigation into her claim – conducted by Veritau, the council’s fraud investigation service – found that she and her husband held capital that was not disclosed, and that her claim was fraudulent.
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During the course of the investigation Mrs McCrossan admitted that both her and her husband had received inheritance payments that she hadn’t declared to the council.
As a result of her fraudulent activity Mrs Mccrossan was awarded £3,507.36 in council tax reduction which she was not entitled to.
Mrs McCrossan pleaded guilty to all charges at Northallerton Magistrates Court yesterday and was sentenced to 12 month community order with a requirement to complete 60 hours of unpaid work.
She was also ordered to pay £463.40 costs and an £85 victim surcharge.
Councillor Ian Threlfall, deputy leader of Richmondshire District Council, said: “Fraud against the council deprives the council of much needed funding to support local services. This is not a victimless crime – it affects our entire community.”
Anyone with any information on fraudulent activity is encouraged to call the fraud hotline on 0800 9179 247 or email counter.fraud@veritau.co.uk
