Computer causes paper pile-up (From Stroud News and Journal)

Computer causes paper pile-up

A NEW computer system to combat fraud has resulted in pensioners John and Jean Slater receiving six identical forms from Stroud District Council.

The couple from Gannicox Road were bombarded with the application forms for their annual concessionary travel tokens during the course of a week.

The Slater's first application form for travel concessions dropped through their letter box on Wednesday, March 5 addressed to Mrs Slater.

"My wife opened this as normal and filled it in," said Mr Slater.

The following day three more identical window envelopes arrived at the Slater's home.

This time two were addressed to Mrs Slater and one was addressed to Mr Slater.

Five days later another two forms arrived - one for Mr Slater and another for Mrs Slater. "We just couldn't believe it," said an astonished Mr Slater.

"They were identical to the letters we had already received."

"This could be wide open to fraud," said Mr Slater. "We could cash them all. What a complete waste of time and tax payers money."

Stroud District Council's community safety manager Phil Sullivan said a new computer system, ironically introduced to combat fraud, was the source of the problem.

"Previously forms were collected from the Post Office but we have had cases of fraud in the past so this year we have introduced a new computer system."

Mr Sullivan admitted there had been a glitch.

"We have over 19,000 communications to deal with and unfortunately the computer system churned out too many and duplicated a number of applications," he said.

"We apologise to anyone who has been inconvenienced by this. if anyone has still not received a form they should contact us."