Lie detector technology to stop fraud
Feb 21 2008 by Sam Wood, The Journal
LIE detector test technology aimed at curbing benefit cheats, which could save thousands of pounds of taxpayers’ money, is being trialled in the region.
The new technology, called voice risk analysis, examines the voice of telephone callers wanting to claim housing and council tax benefit, and can be used to detect those who may be lying in order to cheat the system.
It can also be used to process benefits quicker for genuine claimants.
Derwentside Council, working with the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), is taking the lead in the trial, which also involves councils in Durham City, Sedgefield and Chester-le-Street.
And council chiefs yesterday said they are so happy with the performance of the technology that they are considering adopting it full time.
Ian Ferguson, divisional head of revenues and benefits at Derwentside Council, told the Journal about the trial, which was launched in November.
He said: “This is not just about catching benefit cheats, it is about providing a better service to people. If we believe what we are being told is correct, we can put a benefit claim through much quicker.
“If the voice risk analysis tells us there is something amiss, we will ask for further details, but the analysis on its own is not enough for a prosecution.
“It might be that someone is trying to defraud the system or there might be a more innocent explanation.
“I’m very happy with the way the system has worked so far. It has been well received by staff and we haven’t had one complaint from the public.
“It’s still early days and the trial will finish this November, but it is definitely something we would look at using on a permanent basis.”
Callers to the council are warned that the software is being used.
No accurate figures on how much money has been saved or cheaters caught is available, but trials in other parts of the country show the potential the technology has for saving taxpayers money.
Harrow Council says the technology has already saved the taxpayer more than £300,000.
It said 998 people had been assessed using the technology during a seven-month period and 119 were identified as high risk.
Of those 43 were found to have been paid incorrect benefit, either through suspected fraud or because they volunteered a change of circumstance when their claim was further scrutinised.
The council added that the introduction of lie detector technology also seems to be deterring people from making false claims.
Some 53 people refused to use the technology.
