ABOUT 51 calls have been made to the new hotline set up by Redditch Council to unmask benefit fraudsters.

The hotline was launched in the spring for residents to report concerns over individuals they suspected of abusing the benefits system.

So far, the council has seen more than £9,000 returned to the public purse following successful investigations.

But the council has also focused on cases where residents are missing the benefit they are entitled to and in one incident, an unclaimed pension worth £9,000 was discovered.

The council came across the discrepancy during its standard investigation process and within weeks of contacting the resident and her former employer about a company pension, a cheque was received.

A council spokesman said: "We are here to make sure people are claiming the benefits and finances they are entitled to just as much as we are here to highlight cases where people are making fraudulent claims.

"At the end of the day, we're here to ensure the benefits system is used and not abused and that the people who need and qualify for financial support are the people who receive it."

Residents who suspect anyone of abusing the benefits system can call the fraud hotline on 534164.