UK benefit fraudsters face lie detectors

Benefit claimants will face lie detector tests over the phone for the first time in an attempt to crack down on fraud, the British…

Benefit claimants will face lie detector tests over the phone for the first time in an attempt to crack down on fraud, the British government said today.

Computers will check for small changes in a caller's voice that can be a sign of stress caused by telling lies.

Insurance companies have used "voice-risk analysis" to weed out false claims for several years.

The technology will be piloted in north London before being used across the country.

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Fraud cost the Department for Work and Pensions an estimated €1 billion in 2005-2006. The department pays out more than €150 billion a year and is in charge of job centres, pensions, disability payments and child support.