It's not just MPs: majority of us fiddle our expenses

New survey reveals how many of us bend the truth when it comes to submitting an expenses claim.

Have you ever inflated an expense claim? If so, it seems you are not alone. At least eight in ten of us have lied about our expenses, according to research by expenses management software firm Webexpenses.

The survey found that 5% of workers embellish EVERY single expenses claim they make. Just 10% of those asked said they had never made a fraudulent expense claim, but even those people admitted they had considered it.

Why we over-claim

More than one in five said they inflated their expenses claims because they believed everybody else does it too, while 17% said they did it because they felt underpaid. More than one in ten (12%) said they did it simply because they could get away with it.

Interestingly it's older people that are most bold with their expenses over-claiming, with 24% of over-55s admitting to fiddling their expenses and 26% of the 45-54 age bracket.

It could cost you your job

There could be serious consequences if you are caught fiddling your expenses though.

Filing inaccurate expense claims can be classed as gross misconduct and lead to your immediate dismissal. A company that has overlooked your expenses for years may decide to take a closer look if they need to slim down the workforce. After all, finding a valid reason to fire you is a lot cheaper than putting together a redundancy package.

You could also find yourself facing criminal proceedings for theft or fraud.

“Organisations need to work to create an environment where fraudulent behaviour is no longer legitimised,” says Adam Reynolds, chief executive of Webexpenses.