Prosecutions for false Council Tax Support claims

Support and benefits are there to help vulnerable and low-income households, a district councillor said.

Two men from the Wisbech area have separately been prosecuted for falsely claiming a total of more than £15,000 in support.

Fenland district councillor Jan French said: "We work hard to ensure vulnerable and low-income people, who, for genuine reasons, cannot afford to pay their Council Tax, get the support they need, and to them we say, if you're struggling, please contact us and let us help. Those who make false claims and abuse the system should be ashamed and deserve to be flushed out. False claims take resources away from the people who genuinely need help and from the rest of society who pay their way for shared services. If you make a false claim, prepare to be found and to face a criminal record."

Two men, both from the Wisbech area, separately appeared at Cambridge Magistrate's Court on April 28.

£11,300 to repay

One, a 65-year-old, had been in receipt of Council Tax Support since 2018. No income from an occupational pension was declared, no income from employment was declared, and the claimant had incorrectly confirmed they held capital below the prescribed limit of £10,000.

A data match carried out through the National Fraud Initiative identified that the claimant had been receiving an occupational pension since 2004.

Using powers available under Council Tax Support regulations, investigators obtained information from banks, financial institutions, employers and pension providers.

The investigation established that the individual had been in employment with two different employers. Further bank account information showed the claimant held capital exceeding the prescribed £10,000 limit.

Following guilty pleas to four charges, the court imposed a fine of £1,723, ordered payment of a £689 victim surcharge, and awarded Fenland District Council legal costs of £1,453, all to be paid within 28 days. The man must also repay overpayments of more than £11,300.

£3,800 to repay

A second man, aged 42, had been in receipt of Council Tax Support since 2014 and had declared no income from employment.

Information received from HM Revenue & Customs showed the claimant had received income from three separate employers from January 2020.

Using powers available under Council Tax Support regulations, investigators obtained bank statements and information from employers.

Following guilty pleas to three charges, the court imposed a £200 fine, ordered payment of an £80 victim surcharge, and awarded Fenland District Council costs of £1,356. The man must also repay more than £3,800 in overpayments.

£1.5million wrongful claims uncovered

The council has issued details of the prosecutions as a warning to others, but has not named the individuals due to not having full details of the mitigation presented on their behalf.

Last year (2025), the council revealed almost £1.5million of false and incorrect Council Tax support and discounts claims had been overcovered in Fenland between April 2023 and September 2025.

The council, jointly with Cambridgeshire County Council, funds its Council Tax partner Anglia Revenues Partnership (ARP) to uncover false claims through Cambridgeshire Fraud Hub.

ARP operates Council Tax administration on behalf of the collection authority, Fenland District Council. Cambridgeshire County Council is the largest beneficiary of Council Tax, receiving around 75 per cent of the total amount paid, to fund services including highway and road maintenance, social services and education.

Prosecutions are pursued in appropriate cases and where the public interest test has been met.

• For support with Council Tax in Fenland, to report a change of circumstances or to make changes to your account, such as to sign up to pay by direct debit, visit: Council Tax or Anglia Revenues Partnership

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May 2026