BOGUS council tax discount claimants in Hartlepool have been warned, “we will catch up with you,” by Hartlepool Borough Council.

Last year 418 people were found to be wrongly claiming a 25 per cent discount available for people who live alone, amounting to £112,000.

Chris Little, the council’s Chief Financial Officer, said: “The Single Person Discount of 25 per cent is awarded to anyone who lives alone in a property which is subject to council tax.

“The council has a responsibility to make sure that council Tax discounts are awarded to the appropriate people.

“We do have systems in place to check who resides in a particular property so if someone is wrongfully claiming they will be caught and required to pay the money back.

“This will ensure the money saved can be spent on providing vital services for the local community.”

Earlier this year, The Northern Echo revealed that the amount of unpaid council tax at cash-strapped Middlesbrough Borough Council has increased five-fold in six years.

That authority was owed well over £11m by its own residents at the end of the last financial year and that figure stood at £17.7 million at the end of January this year. However it is expected that figure would reduce as more money was collected. Across the North-East a total of £131m is owed in unpaid tax.

Hartlepool council has issued a number for people to report anyone they suspect of claiming the Single Person Discount illegitimately. It is 01429-284277. Alternatively, email revenues@hartlepool.gov.uk