Cifas, the UK’s leading fraud prevention service, is urging Brits to consider the consequences of Council Tax fraud as new research reveals a worrying trend
People trying to aviod paying the full sum of their Council Tax could face legal action(Image: Getty)
Cifas, the UK’s leading fraud prevention service, is urging individuals to consider the consequences of Council Tax fraud as they struggle with rising costs.
A recent survey of 2,000 UK adults found that one in six (16%) admitted to falsely claiming the Single Person Discount, which provides a 25 per cent reduction on Council Tax bills for households with only one adult.
The survey, conducted by Cifas, also found that dishonestly claiming the Single Person Discount is one of the most common types of first-party fraud, alongside falsifying CV qualifications (18%) and retail non-delivery fraud (19%).
Rachael Tiffen, Director of Public Sector for Cifas, stated: “First-party fraud isn’t a harmless crime – it’s harmful.”
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She continued: “At a time when many households are feeling the squeeze of rising council tax bills, it’s more important than ever to recognise that council tax fraud, including false claims for Single Person Discount, puts vital local services at risk. It can also result in serious consequences for those individuals who act dishonestly.”
Bristol has seen Council Tax rise by 5 per cent every year for the past half decade(Image: Getty Images)
In February, Bristol City Council approved a huge 4.99 per cent increase in the tax on households, while many are continuing to struggle with high food and energy bills eating into their disposable income.
Ahead of National Honesty Day on April 30, Cifas is calling on people to act with integrity and warning them of the consequences of Council Tax fraud. “Fraud against the public purse diverts funding away from the very communities that need it most.
“We understand times are tough, and that’s why it’s so important to support residents during challenging times without resorting to fraud. Ensuring people can report suspected fraud quickly and anonymously remains crucial.”
Almost half (48%) of people surveyed deem it ‘reasonable’ to commit first party fraud, according to the latest Cifas Fraud Behaviours Survey. The full results can be accessed here.
The Cifas study also found that:
- 9% of respondents deemed falsely claiming the Single Person Discount as ‘reasonable’
- 13% mistakenly believed this type of fraud was legal, a 1% increase from 2023
- 28% of 25-34-year-olds were the most likely to have dishonestly claimed the discount
Guidance from Citizens Advice for people who are struggling to pay their Council Tax explains what you should do if you cannot pay. It states: “Contact your council and explain your situation. Don’t just stop paying.
“Ask them if they’ll let you pay your council tax in smaller amounts. You’ll probably be asked to commit to paying a regular amount each month. If you’re not sure how much you can afford, you can use a budgeting tool or talk to a specialist adviser at Citizens Advice.
“If these payments mean you won’t be able to afford essential costs such as your rent or mortgage, tell the council. If you’re on a low income, you might be able to get a reduction on your council tax bill. You can read more about getting help with your Council Tax.”