A FRAUDSTER who did not tell the Council he had stopped claiming Job Seeker’s Allowance while continuing to claim other benefits was fined after appearing in court on Tuesday.
Tomasz Lazar, 49, of Mizes Hill Road in Luton, pleaded guilty to benefit fraud at Luton Magistrates Court.
He was fined £75 and ordered to pay £537 towards Luton Borough Council’s costs, as well as repaying the £2,210 he fraudulently obtained. Councillor Robin Harris said: “Allowances and benefits are in place to help those in serious financial difficulty – they are not free handouts for anyone who fancies a bit of extra cash.”
The Council’s Audit and Investigations Team investigated Lazar’s benefit claim and following a successful data matching exercise, discovered his Job Seeker’s Allowance claim had stopped.
He should have told the Council’s Revenues and Benefits team about this important change in his financial circumstances.
If you have financial problems and you are falling behind with your council tax or rent, get help now by calling the Council on 0300 790 0345, see www.luton.gov.uk/helpwithdebt or visit the Town Hall.
If you suspect someone you know is a fraudster and has given the Council false information about their income, living or home arrangements, please call the fraud hotline in complete confidence giving as many details as possible on 0500 500 777 or email fraud@luton.gov.uk.