More prosecutions for tax credit fraudsters

The Revenue, still smarting from being criticised for overpaying tax credits to the tune of £710m, has bagged another claimant for cheating the system.

33-year-old mother of two, Caroline Briddick, of Crook in County Durham, has been given 200 hours community punishment after a judge described her as having "a casual attitude to dishonesty which was very prevalent in today's society."

Judge John Walford sentenced Briddick after she was found guilty by a jury at Teeside Crown Court of submitting fraudulent claims for Working Families Tax Credits whilst failing to declare that she was living with her partner and their children.

The Revenue's Special Compliance Office says it is clamping down on people who do not declare that they are living with partners whilst claiming tax credits. Judge Walford is reported as saying it was "important to send out the right message that this attitude will not be tolerated and people who commit fraud will be punished".

In addition to the 200 hours community punishment order, Caroline Briddick was ordered to pay back £3,000 in compensation.

Last December, the Revenue published details of punishments handed out to two other tax credit claimants.

For detailed guidance and further news about tax credits, leave our website and visit the Tax CreditsZone, part of TaxZone.co.uk, or go to our Child Tax Credit pages.

Source:
TaxZone.co.uk
8-Jan-2004

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