East Cambridgeshire District Council
East Cambs Council pledges to recover £6,000 lost to Council Tax fraudster
Council Tax fraud spanned four years
A Cambridgeshire council says it is “in the process” of recovering nearly £6,000 from a woman who admitted Council Tax fraud. Rebecca Ward, 28, of Silhalls Close, Ashley near Newmarket, pleaded guilty to two acts of fraud against East Cambridgeshire District Council.
Cambridge Magistrates’ Court heard Ward had dishonestly claimed Council Tax Support and a Single Person Discount of 25% over a four-year period.
An investigation revealed she had failed to notify the council that her partner was living with her.
Her partner was in receipt of earnings which would affect Ward’s entitlement to Council Tax Support. His residence also removed her entitlement to her Single Person Discount.
The court heard that between January 2020 and January 2024, Ward had claimed £4278.24 in Council Tax Support and £1560.47 in Single Person Discount.
Ward was fined £200, ordered to pay costs of £800 and a victim surcharge of £114.
The council is also in the process of recovering the £5838.71 overpayment
