Hotline to report fraudsters
RESIDENTS who suspect someone may be defrauding Centrelink's flood relief payments have been urged to call the national hotline.
A spokesperson for the company said Centrelink had to balance the needs of people who had gone through a traumatic event with the fact that some people may try to claim assistance they were not entitled to.
The comments come after numerous letters and text messages were sent to the NewsMail with reports there are people who are rorting the system in Bundaberg.
The federal government has set up a designated task force to investigate fraudulent flood claims and crack down on suspected disaster payment cheats.
The spokesperson said local Centrelink staff may know many of the residents in their community who were claiming assistance, and that this local knowledge encouraged honesty and discouraged those who may seek to mislead Centrelink.
To report a suspected fraud concern, call the Fraud Tip Off line on 131 524.
