I blogged that the voice recognition analysis (VRA) system at Harrow council was saving them money. In an attempt to snare more benefit cheats, the council has become the first authority in the country to pilot voice recognition analysis. The software detects stress patterns in a caller's voice, showing if they are lying when applying for benefits.This is a study by the DWP, which is looking for other councils to test it. Birmingham council is now to install it. They pay out £420m to 134,000 claimants annually.
Callers are asked a series of questions as a control.
Benefit fraud costs the council £250,000 a year, and they are hoping VRA will help save them some money.
Since its introduction in May, the council say the system has spotted 126 fraudulent claims, totalling nearly £40,000.
It is estimated that £650m in housing benefit is overpaid annually in the UK through fraud or error. Birmingham council currently reviews the accuracy of the benefits claims of about 65,000 people a year. In the pilot study, a telephone-based assessment will replace an interview.Civil liberties groups and the TUC oppose this. But it's hard to imagine anyone will lose benefit simply on the basis of a telephone interview, unless they refuse to attend a follow-up review.
It must be worth while to look for cost-effective methods of cutting the huge bill for social security fraud.
3 comments:
I believe that freedom of information can be a part of combating benefit fraud. We believe that we should know how our government is spending our money but why shouldn't we know who is getting our money and for what reason?
Wouldn't it be better to have a website where you could search for a name or address and it would tell you what they are claiming and for what reason?
Neighbours will know if they are lying and could tell the police for a reward.
Wouldn't a website be cheaper and easier?
That's an interesting take, but wouldn't there be a wee clash with data protection, and possibly human rights?
There could be but you could make people on welfare sign a contract saying they will waive their rights to be allowed money from the government. If they don't then they don't get any money.
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