We're targeting benefit thieves with a full range of penalties. It's not if we catch you, it's when.
And when we do you will face:
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Having to pay back all the money and sometimes more if we apply a penalty
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A criminal record
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A fine
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Having your benefit stopped or reduced
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And even a prison sentence
Up to 31st March 2012, 42 benefit thieves in the Falkirk Council area have faced a sanction as a result of committing benefit fraud. They all now have a criminal record.
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24 cases have been referred to the Procurator Fiscal (PF) as suitable for prosecution
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3 claimants have been offered and accepted an Administrative Penalty as an alternative to prosecution
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15 claimants have been offered and accepted a Formal Caution as an alternative to prosecution
In addition, 12 claimants who were referred to the Procurator Fiscal were successfully prosecuted and found guilty of committing benefit fraud and received either a Prison Sentence, Community Service, or a fine.
It's not if we catch you, but when.