Whenever benefit fraud is committed, whether the benefit be pension-related or disability or any other form for which benefits are paid out, the benefit fraud solicitors in charge of the case will be required to become somewhat of a bloodhound. They must find information to determine if fraud is actually being committed and to what degree.
A common crime committed in our society
Benefit fraud occurs when someone submits lies in hopes of obtaining state benefits for which they are not entitled. This includes cases in which someone deliberately fails in reporting changes involving their own personal circumstances. This form of fraud and illegal representation costs the United Kingdom about 1.1 billion GBP for the years 2008 through 2009.
The Department for Work and Pensions began an advertising campaign in 2002 called the Targeting Benefit Thieves campaign and this was utilised to raise awareness to the fact that benefit fraud is not only wrong, it is illegal, and there will be punishment involved when one is caught. Solicitors have the responsibility of seeing that those who perpetrate fraud are held liable and punished for their crimes.
In this modern computerised world we all live in today, fraud is even more commonly noted and many have been known to try some pretty imaginative ruses against both the public as well as their government in order to obtain money they do not deserve. And this is where benefit fraud solicitors really earn their keep.
Benefitting the falsely accused
Some who have been falsely accused of some form of fraud regarding their benefits find they most definitely require the services of an experienced solicitor to help prove their case.
The Fraud Enquiry Office will request taped interviews in some cases and these can become stressful actions which may well be avoided by hiring a good fraud solicitor. They will help you prepare an information statement which may well avoid the interview with the Fraud office altogether. Good fraud solicitors will negotiate on the behalf of their client, with high rates of success. The solicitor will work with the Job Centre Benefit Fraud Enquiry Office (DWP) and arrange either a dismissal of all charges when their client is found innocent, or they will negotiate a minimum fine whenever possible upon a court finding that their client is, in fact, guilty of the fraud charges presented upon them.
Repayments often satisfy those charging the crime
Many times any charges will simply be dropped if the guilty party promises to repay any and all money they falsely obtained through fraudulent means, particularly if it a first offense and the amount owed is minimal. The benefit fraud solicitors will then to set up terms of payment in a legal and binding document which then must be signed. The solicitor understands that financial situations can bring about desperation in these trying times and those who would otherwise be honest law abiding citizens, may be tempted to cheat a bit for the benefit of family finances. But committing benefits fraud is not a proper way to solve their problems.