SA welfare fraud rises

The Advertiser: SA welfare fraud rises :

"SOUTH Australia has seen an increase in the number of people prosecuted for welfare fraud in the last year, with a 75 per cent rise in people charged with fraud against Centrelink. Almost 340 people were charged in the state in the last year, compared to 194 the year before."


That is a lot of people. Is it a particular type of person? In their defence I can say some people's lives are running on such a hectic schedule they may have overlooked updating their details. Is there a certain type of fraud which is occurring? May link to lifestyle. I am astounded how many people would try and claim benefits wrongfully so I want to think there is a logical explanation. I think the more we stay on the ball with this , the more we shall stop it. Like people claiming full time attendance of their children at school when you see people and their kids at shopping centres a lot. I see that as fraud. Forgetting to deregister your child who just left school is more likely being caught up in the flurry of it all and forgetting to respond to the letter. I go online once a year to check family details, I find that the easiest way. Maybe an ad in local papers would help to remind people. With the amount of money being recouped , it sounds more like there is intent there. Why? If the public is letting the police know, then as a society, we do not approve of people ripping off Centrelink.