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14/12/2017
Former HMRC Worker Sentenced For Tax Credit Fraud
A former HMRC worker who lied about being a single parent to claim tax credits has been handed a suspended sentence.
Laura Southern worked as a HMRC Benefits and Credits Compliance Manager in Belfast, where her role was to check for fraudulent tax credit claims.
Between 2012 and 2017 she fraudulently claimed £34,209.44 in tax credits, after claiming she was a single parent despite living with her partner.
She received a 15 month sentence, suspended for three years.
Joff Parsons, Assistant Director, Internal Governance, HMRC, said: "Southern was employed to track down people committing the very crime she has been convicted of. She knew exactly what she was doing and even though she knew it was wrong, thought she could get away with stealing tax credits she wasn’t entitled to. But her deceit was exposed and now she is paying the price.
"We expect the highest professional standards and integrity from our staff; no one is exempt and we will pursue criminals like Southern who think it is acceptable to steal tax credits. We ask anyone with information about tax fraud to contact the HMRC Fraud Hotline on 0800 788 887."
Laura Southern worked as a HMRC Benefits and Credits Compliance Manager in Belfast, where her role was to check for fraudulent tax credit claims.
Between 2012 and 2017 she fraudulently claimed £34,209.44 in tax credits, after claiming she was a single parent despite living with her partner.
She received a 15 month sentence, suspended for three years.
Joff Parsons, Assistant Director, Internal Governance, HMRC, said: "Southern was employed to track down people committing the very crime she has been convicted of. She knew exactly what she was doing and even though she knew it was wrong, thought she could get away with stealing tax credits she wasn’t entitled to. But her deceit was exposed and now she is paying the price.
"We expect the highest professional standards and integrity from our staff; no one is exempt and we will pursue criminals like Southern who think it is acceptable to steal tax credits. We ask anyone with information about tax fraud to contact the HMRC Fraud Hotline on 0800 788 887."
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