A CRACKDOWN on on tax credit fraud has been launched in Lancashire ahead of 160,000 people renewing their claims this month.

HMRC said claims will be ‘examined particularly closely this year’.

The focus will be on claimants’ statements on employment, self-employment, hours worked, childcare and children as well as any details that have changed since previous years’ claims.

Claimants must let HMRC know of any changes in their circumstances that they haven’t already reported during the year. These could be about working hours, childcare costs or pay. If asked, they must also provide details of the previous year’s income.

Tax credits are for families that work but only have a low income.

HMRC’s director of benefits and credits, Steve Lamey, said: “You should be renewing your tax credits by now. The sooner you renew, the sooner we can check your payments are right so that you won’t have to pay money back.

“It’s simple – if you don’t renew your claim before July 31, your payments may stop.”