Benefit Cons

Benefit fraudsters have been caught making up "ridiculous" excuses to cover up their crime, according to a list drawn up by the Government.  People making false claims for benefit told inspectors they did not realise they were on benefit, must have had their identity stolen- or had an identical twin making claims.  Ministers published the list to highlight the £1.6 billion of taxpayer's money lost through fraud in benefits and tax credits each year, including:

--  'We don't live together he just comes each morning to fill up his flask'

--  'I wasn't using the ladders to clean windows, I carried them for therapy for my bad back' 

--  'I had no idea my wife was working! I never noticed her leaving the house twice a day in a fluorescent jacket and a Stop Children sign' 

--  'My wallet was stolen so someone must have been using my identity, I haven't been working'.

--  'I didn't declare my savings because I didn't save them, they were given to me'

--  'He lives in a caravan in the drive, we're not together

--  'He does come here every night and leave in the morning and although he has no other address I don't regard him as living here' 

--  'It wasn't me working, it was my identical twin'

If it wasn't so serious, it would be quite amusing.