Another issue that contributed to this scandal is that the rules for benefits (not just social benefits) are often such that you have to request it up front at

Another issue that contributed to this scandal is that the rules for benefits (not just social benefits) are often such that you have to request it up front at the beginning of the year, but if at the end of the year it turns out that your situation changed midway and you no longer had the (full) right to the benefit, you have to pay it back along with a fine. It's really easy to not be aware of this.