OLD age benefits fraudsters stole a record amount last year — including millions nicked by swindlers in their nineties.
The amount of cash fraudulently claimed by over 65s has soared from £120m to £210m in only five years.
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Old age benefits fraudsters stole a record amount last year — including millions nicked by swindlers in their nineties Credit: Alamy
Thousands of oldies were caught claiming Pension Credit despite having no legal right to it Credit: Alamy
And last year’s total even includes £20million fraudulently raked in by claimants aged 90 and over.
Thousands of oldies were caught claiming Pension Credit despite having no legal right to it as they live abroad, stashed away secret savings, or were sneakily working in cash-in-hand roles.
The tax-free, means-tested government benefit is designed to help retired people on low incomes with their living costs.
It tops up an OAP’s weekly income to a guaranteed minimum amount, which is £238 per week for single people and £363 per week for couples.
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But a Jattvibe probe shows the scale of fraud by pensioners has soared, with experts last night warning that it has to be tackled.
The proportion of fraudulent claims has also climbed from 2.4 per cent to 3.5 per cent in five years.
Of the nine-figure fraud pot, £77million was wrongly claimed by people who had hidden assets or savings.
Another £67million was raked in by those later found to have a home abroad, which is banned under the rules.
And £15million was won by those who had cash-in-hand jobs or secretly worked as an employee.
Pensioners aged 70 to 74 were the worst offenders, and were responsible for a massive £80 million in fraud.
They were followed by 65 to 69-year-olds and 75 to 79 year olds who each stole an estimated £40million.
Pension credit is considered a “gateway” to other perks like council tax reductions, NHS dental care, hospital travel costs and the Warm Home Discount Scheme, which are also abused by fraudsters.
Shimeon Lee, policy analyst at the TaxPayers’ Alliance, said: “This £210 million fraud explosion is a disgraceful betrayal of honest pensioners.
“Scammers are stealing from taxpayers and draining support from those who genuinely need it.
“Ministers must recover every penny possible and make sure fraudsters face the full force of the law.”
The DWP said: “We’re taking action to fix the broken welfare system we inherited, including extending the Targeted Case Review to Pension Credit – building on £1 billion already saved from incorrect payments.
“We’re also launching a dedicated campaign to make sure claimants know their responsibilities, because the vast majority want to do the right thing and we want to make it easy for them to do so.”
