Society is becoming more dishonest, scientists find

More than 60% of people surveyed in England and Wales admitted they had exaggerated an insurance claim, paid cash to avoid tax or kept money when given too much change.

But they would not consider themselves criminals, scientists told a science conference in Salford.

Such forgery and fraud is costing Britain �14bn a year.

Top white collar crime in England and Wales Paid cash to avoid tax 34% Kept extra charge 32% Taken item from work 18% Avoided paying TV licence 11% Wrongly used identity cards 11%

The crimes predominately perpetrated by the middle classes also included claiming refunds to which they were not entitled or taking items from their workplace.

Professor Susanne Karstedt, who conducted the survey for the University of Keele, said: "These are the citizens and consumers of the middle class who would definitely think of themselves as respectable.

"These are the citizens who would definitely reject the labels of criminals."

Yet the costs of fraud and forgery in Britain in 2000 was �13.8bn, compared to �2.7bn for burglary, she said.

Consumers fight back

The survey, which also included people in Germany, found Germans were even more likely to exaggerate an insurance claim, paid cash to avoid tax or kept money when given too much change.

Top white collar crime in Germany Paid cash to avoid tax 54% Kept extra change 30% Taken item from work 28% Avoided paying TV licence 24% Wrongly used ID cards 20%

Ms Karstedt said: "We find the consumers are hitting back" saying the less trust people had in institutions the more likely they were to offend.

She said the findings seemed to indicate that we were becoming a more dishonest society.

Her colleague Dr Stephen Farrall told the British Association Festival of Science: "These are the 'crimes' and illegal and unfair practices that are committed at the kitchen table, on the settee and from the home computer, from desks and call centres, at cash points, in supermarkets or in restaurants".

The people most likely to commit crimes were of a higher social class, employed, good earners, had internet access and were males, according to the researchers.

A total of 4,000 people aged 25 to 65 were questioned in England and Wales and Germany about their involvement in "shady", "unfair" or "downright illegal" activities.