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Tax frauds put mothers behind bars

Two mothers have been jailed for making false claims about their childcare costs. Samantha Mills of Port Talbot, Wales, received more than 54,000 in tax credits to which she was not entitled. She claimed working tax credit, said her childcare costs had increased, said that three of her children were disabled, and applied for a childcare grant for two children, despite being advised she could not claim the grant while in receipt of working tax credits. She forged the signature of a nursery manager to say four of her children attended nursery, when in fact only one of her children did.

Samantha Mills of Port Talbot, Wales, received more than 54,000 in tax credits to which she was not entitled. She claimed working tax credit, said her childcare costs had increased, said that three of her children were disabled, and applied for a childcare grant for two children, despite being advised she could not claim the grant while in receipt of working tax credits. She forged the signature of a nursery manager to say four of her children attended nursery, when in fact only one of her children did.

Even after being interviewed twice by the police and the HM Revenue and Customs, Mills continued to contact HMRC to claim she was disabled. She was jailed for 15 months.

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