Harrow Council wire phones up to lie detectors for benefit claim lines?

Question

Wow?

apparently computer technology guages risk based on voice patterns, those at 'high risk of lying' are further investigated in the hope of weeding out false claimants.

More councils are to follow suit!

Answer 1

If I were in harrow, i would be complaining to the council over their use public money to invest in pseudoscience.

All studies have shown that lie detectors DO NOT work.
at best, they are a placebo device to encourage guilty people to confess.

and if they are working over the phone, then they are simply voice stress analysers.
If I were claiming benefits, I would be stressed - even I was 100% honest & claiming exactly what I was entitled to.

what next? employing Derek Acorah to ask the spirit world about benefit fraudsters..

{edit} I am not against getting rid of benefit cheats - I pay taxes and council tax like most other people - but there's not point spending taxpayer money on pseudoscience.
while the dpeartment is running ragged trying to check up on all the false hits, the real cheats, who are not identified will have more of a chance of slipping through the net, because all the resources are concentrated on innovent people

Answer 2

There is not enough space on here but the two things i do know for sure 1,dont get cancer 2 dont have a pension. When you see what some get for not working and i see nothing of my pension.The council takes all my pension plus 2 pounds for rent and rates and if i had no pension id get rent and rates free I would gladly still be working but for the c word and i did double shifts at least twice a week Believe me i am one sad person when i see this country going to the dogs Thank you and you may tape me any time you like,i cant speak

Answer 3

It's not a surprise, according to a "friend in the know" Insurance Companies have been doing this for a long time, they obviously do it so that they have some indication whether a claim is valid or not. (So, if anyone is planning to "accidentally" drop their TV and claim on the Insurance, I wouldn't risk it!)

To the Lady who mentioned recording phone calls, I was informed that if you are talking to any large company that records calls themselves, you should always tell them that YOU are recording the call too. Even if you are not doing so, they tend to be a little more careful about what they say, as you may have evidence! Just a piece of advice!

Answer 4

Oh Purleassssssssse! This is ridiculous! I live in Harrow albeit I dont claim benefits anymore but as someone above said its very stressful being on them anyway when you ARE doing things correct! Will they assume you are lying because they hear a quiver in your voice?!?!
I cant believe that most of these people think that its a good idea. No doubt my council tax is going to rise now to cover this s h i t!!!
Why cant they think of something else???

Answer 5

When I think of how hard both my parents worked and how hard I worked all my life to keep people on the dole who are perfectly capable of holding down a job I say good on your Harrow council. I don't particularly like the underhandedness of it all but it's about time some of these scroungers realised that life does not own them a living them but they have to get off their butts and work.

It's a pity they don't try that with the long term unemployed who have sky dishes outside their homes.

Makes my blood boil how good honest hard working people are treated in this country and those who don't give a toss get it all. And I suppose they will get free care when they are older whereas I will in all probablity have to sell my home to pay for any care I may need.

Answer 6

I don't know how these lie detectors work so i will say in theory its a good idea. But recently when i fell on hard times i applied for assistance by phone, the lady (term lady used very loosely) was extremely rude and abrupt, this resulted in me getting angry with her and tongue tide out of frustration. So i am wondering if someone has the same experience as me, would the frustration in the voice be detected as lying?

Answer 7

Harrow council should give the McCanns a phone to see if they are lying about maddie.

Answer 8

Bet the council taxes are raised to cover the costs.

Answer 9

Yes, and they've caught 40 cheats since the experiment started. Shame the council itself is full of lying cheating Tory b'stards.

Answer 10

For those who think it's a disgrace, here's an alternative suggestion - scrap all benefits and bring back the workhouses. That would solve the immigration problem overnight as well!