A COUNCIL has issued a warning to residents who cheat the council tax system by claiming single person discount ahead of launching a crackdown on fraudsters.

Ryedale District Council has unveiled an initiative to identify incorrectly claimed discounts, which will see a firm working on behalf of the authority to cross reference household data through credit reference checks.

In order to ensure annual increases in the rate of council tax are kept to a minimum, the authority is making continual efforts to clamp down on those that attempt take advantage of the system.

A council spokesman said: “If you are concerned that you may claiming a discount which you are no longer entitled to please contact the council immediately.”

Each year, local authorities nationwide receive a high volume of applications for single occupier discount.

Legislation allows for those who are falsely claiming council tax discounts to be prosecuted through the courts in the same way as those committing benefit fraud.

Alan McCarten, senior revenues officer for the council, said “This is an opportunity for our residents to contact us if they think they should not be entitled to single person discount before we undertake the review.

“We will write to residents over the next few weeks who are claiming single person discount to determine whether they remain entitled to the reduction.

Residents who think they may not be entitled to single person discount should call 01653-600666 or email ctax@ryedale.gov.uk