Post by Banjo on Mar 21, 2012 3:33:20 GMT 7
Casino rewards cards examined in hunt for cheats
CASINO rewards cards could be the next secret weapon used by Centrelink and the Australian Taxation Office to take down frauds and welfare cheats.
The Absolute Rewards program, which is available through Queensland's three major casinos, is being considered by investigators as a way to nab dodgy individuals suspected of breaking the law.
Absolute Rewards allows members through its Absolute Assist function to set a daily gambling limit of their choice and tracks their spending to ensure machines lock users out when their limit is reached.
A Treasury Casino spokeswoman confirmed members were able to ask for summaries of their spending history.
By cross-referencing the spending with other documents, investigators could potentially determine whether fraud had taken place.
Section 264 of the Income Tax Assessment Act 1936 allows officers to obtain documents or data they require to further their probe.
An ATO spokeswoman said the office "would not rule out" using Absolute Rewards and Absolute Assist information to investigate targets.
"From time to time, we do use our powers under S264 to obtain information on individuals from third parties (such as casinos and other businesses) which may assist us to identify undisclosed income," she said.
"We would not rule out the possibility of using such a system to access information in the future."
Centrelink may also begin using rewards cards to track down welfare cheats.
Department of Human Services general manager Hank Jongen said while information hadn't so far been obtained through the system, it was a possibility.
"Based on the available information, the department would only seek to access details through the Absolute Assist program on an individual basis during an investigation into a customer's undisclosed wealth," he said.
A Treasury Casino spokeswoman said the casino had provided government agencies with information at their request.
Queensland Council for Civil Liberties president Michael Cope said he couldn't foresee any privacy issues provided the method was used only to investigate those already under suspicion.
www.couriermail.com.au/news/queensland/casino-cards-examined-in-hunt-for-cheats/story-e6freoof-1226305720404?from=public_rss
CASINO rewards cards could be the next secret weapon used by Centrelink and the Australian Taxation Office to take down frauds and welfare cheats.
The Absolute Rewards program, which is available through Queensland's three major casinos, is being considered by investigators as a way to nab dodgy individuals suspected of breaking the law.
Absolute Rewards allows members through its Absolute Assist function to set a daily gambling limit of their choice and tracks their spending to ensure machines lock users out when their limit is reached.
A Treasury Casino spokeswoman confirmed members were able to ask for summaries of their spending history.
By cross-referencing the spending with other documents, investigators could potentially determine whether fraud had taken place.
Section 264 of the Income Tax Assessment Act 1936 allows officers to obtain documents or data they require to further their probe.
An ATO spokeswoman said the office "would not rule out" using Absolute Rewards and Absolute Assist information to investigate targets.
"From time to time, we do use our powers under S264 to obtain information on individuals from third parties (such as casinos and other businesses) which may assist us to identify undisclosed income," she said.
"We would not rule out the possibility of using such a system to access information in the future."
Centrelink may also begin using rewards cards to track down welfare cheats.
Department of Human Services general manager Hank Jongen said while information hadn't so far been obtained through the system, it was a possibility.
"Based on the available information, the department would only seek to access details through the Absolute Assist program on an individual basis during an investigation into a customer's undisclosed wealth," he said.
A Treasury Casino spokeswoman said the casino had provided government agencies with information at their request.
Queensland Council for Civil Liberties president Michael Cope said he couldn't foresee any privacy issues provided the method was used only to investigate those already under suspicion.
www.couriermail.com.au/news/queensland/casino-cards-examined-in-hunt-for-cheats/story-e6freoof-1226305720404?from=public_rss