Welfare fraud tip-offs save $125.6m
A record number of Australians called Centrelink’s tip-off line last financial year to report alleged welfare fraud. The Minister for Human Services, the Hon Joe Hockey MP, said public tip-offs to Centrelink increased by 24% last financial year resulting in taxpayer savings of $125.6 million from investigations.
“Australians support the ethos of giving a mate a fair go and a helping hand,” Mr Hockey said. “But these results indicate the community will not tolerate people double dipping.”
To report a suspected fraud, members of the public can call the Australian Government Services Fraud Tip-off Line on 13 1524, go to the Centrelink website at www.centrelink.gov.au or visit their local Centrelink office.
Centrelink received 118,
1 public tip-off allegations during the period leading to 59,781 investigations. Of those, 11,
2 customers had their payments cut.
