For the Concentrix saga to have changed my mind?

[FlameGrilled]

I'm not normally too concerned with benefits cheats, I personally think that the bigger issue is corporate tax avoidance. That's why, when my friend got back together with her long term on/off BF, I didn't really pay much attention to the fact that she didn't bother to declare this fact. I understood that she wanted to see if it would last this time and didn't want the upheaval of having her benefits stopped and started. I also don't like to get involved in other people's affairs.

But, it's now been 5 or more years and they're having another baby. She lives an incredibly comfortable lifestyle what with claiming single parent benefits, single student support and having her partners income. She's also become quite the braggart over the trappings of her lifestyle.

I struggle myself so it grates a little but since reading some of the stories from those who are involved in the Concentrix saga, it's starting to really bother me that she seems to fly under the radar every time.

I use the term friend loosely as we've grown apart over the years and don't really have much in common these days. The benefits thing isn't the only dishonesty she's been involved in either but I can't say too much as it will out me/her. Even so, I'm uncomfortable at the thought of being the cause of her life being made more difficult. Still, it seems grossly unfair that she is getting away with this and has done for so long, particularly when I think of all those who have wrongly had their benefits stopped over suspected fraud when they've done nothing wrong.

AIBU? WWYD?

[FlameGrilled]

Anyone? I'm genuinely conflicted over this.

[NeedsAsockamnesty]

Does she actually live with him? As in properly live with no other accomadation

[FlameGrilled]

Yes, they definitely live together.

[NeedsAsockamnesty]

Then you should report.

[FlameGrilled]

I think about reporting them but I'm worried she'll find out it was me. Plus it feels really disloyal somehow. We're not close any more but were many years ago.

Would others report in these circumstances or just leave it and maybe distance myself more? It's the insensitive bragging that also gets to me. I used to think it wouldn't matter as someone else would probably report her but it's been years now and she's still getting away with it.

[legotits]

What has the badly run concentrix got to do wi owt?

Report away.
Mention the single parent benefit too.

Or just ignore and move on to better pals.

[FlameGrilled]

I've obviously known about this for many years but don't really think about it too much, particularly as I don't see her often. But I saw her a few weeks ago when she announced her pregnancy and said that she had timed it so that she'd qualify for more tax credits before the deadline when only two DC will be counted. Again I put it out of my head until I started reading about the Concentrix mess and it just seemed such an unfair situation in comparison. She's actually committing benefit fraud but never seems to get caught.

[charlestrenet]

I'm not sure how you would know what benefits she is claiming if the two of you have grown apart. This is evidenced by you saying that she's claiming single parent benefit which doesn't exist. Nor does single parent student benefit. Also not sure what these imaginary benefits have to do with concentrix, who only concern themselves with tax credits. But you go on ahead and ring them to tell them all about your friend. I'm sure it won't be a waste of everyone's time. Btw you do know that couples can claim tax credits, don't you?

[PrettyBlueDressForTheXmasBall]

If you actually know she is committing benefit fraud, then yes you should report her. If you are making any assumptions then no you shouldn't.

So if you actually know that she is still claiming to be single and her partner is definitely fully living with her then report.

If however you are assuming she is still claiming as a single person because she still gets benefits, then YABCompletelyU.

[PrettyBlueDressForTheXmasBall]

And yes even with a working partner its possible to get tax credits, child benefit, housing benefit, council tax benefit, etc. It isn't only for single parents.

[FlameGrilled]

Yes I do know for a fact she is claiming single persons benefits: housing benefit, child tax credits, free school meals, and single student support from our council. Her partner works full time and she worked part time until she started a college course. So she shouldn't be entitled to these things given their joint income. He works with another friend so I know his ball park salary.

I'm not close to her anymore but she periodically calls me for advice. She's also part of a wider group of friends who also tell me they are fed up with her insensitive bragging as they all know what she's doing too. She committed another form of fraud a while back and wanted to know from me what would happen if she did it. I told her not to and she agreed she wouldn't but I think she did anyway. But that wasn't benefits.

[FlameGrilled]

I know you can claim as a couple - she isn't though. She's claiming single and has done for years.

[charlestrenet]

That list of benefits, none of which are exclusive to single parents, is quite different to what you first said
Did you ring her in the meantime to get more accurate information when it became clear that you were first alluding to benefits that don't exist?

[legotits]

Ring up with your allegations.

As you said you know for a FACT (I believe it's better in capitals) so call with these facts.

What is the worst that can happen?

Concentrix are clearly efficient and effective They wouldn't fuck anything up.....

[charlestrenet]

Concentrix would only care about the child tax credits. Which the couple may well be entitled to if she's a student/part time employee and they've got three kids. But do ring them anyway so that they can open up a file on your friend, threaten her with legal action, fuck up a claim that may well be legitimate and leave her and her family in financial hardship. It's the right thing to do.

[FlameGrilled]

I used the word benefits as a catch all term - thought that was in common use and easily understood .

I'm
Not talking reporting her to Concentrix, I'm saying the recent cases that Concentrix have messed up have made me think again about how grossly unfair it is that they are being penalised for doing nothing wrong whereas she gets away with it year after year with no consequence.

That is why I am posting, because I'm wary of being the cause of difficulties for her but at the same time, it's not fair that she gets away with being so dishonest. It's her poor morals that are the reason we no longer get on so well but I don't think she knows that this is why I've distanced myself.

[EllenDegenerate]

Ask yourself;

What is the anticipated or actual benefit of reporting her?

If it is honestly something other than self vindication then you could probably go ahead with a clear conscience.
If it isn't then please do nothing. It is you that will feel worse than she ultimately.

[FlameGrilled]

Also, I'm not sure how I'm meant to feel about it. Tax credits messed up my claim (their fault, not mine) and I'm paying that back. Am I supposed to feel pleased for her that she's getting away with it?

[FlameGrilled]

Ellen, this is where I can't answer. In most cases, I'd turn a blind eye because being on benefits is shit and hardly amounts to anything. That is why I also turned a blind eye for so long but I think she's taking the piss now because it's clear that they are very much 'on' and plan to be for the foreseeable future.

I don't want her to be hurt, I want her to play by the rules like everybody else has to but she doesn't listen evidenced by her ignoring my advice not to commit the other fraud.

[LastGirlOnTheLeft]

It sounds like the real reason you want to report her is because you are a little envious she doesn't struggle like you, are sick of her bragging about it and want to bring her down a peg or two.

If I were you, I wouldn't do anything. Forget her - and remember there are two innocent children in the fray. Just live your own life.

[needsahalo]

single parent benefits

There is no such thing.

[FlameGrilled]

It was shorthand needs for the single parent element/increase of/in benefits. I think that was obvious though. But the student support is very much only available to single parent students.

[needsahalo]

Nor is there a single parent element of student support - unless things have changed very recently. It's all means tested. It makes single parents way more likely to be eligible, but plenty of single parents are ineligible.

No, it's not obvious. I get sick of being told I'm in receipt of a small fortune on account of my single parent status. Plenty of people believe being single with children is some kind of license to print money. It isn't.

[FlameGrilled]

I'm a single parent too needs so none of that from me. My local council does have specific support for lone parents and you are only eligible as a single parent although it is also means tested.

Yes, I get sick of people assuming you're rolling in it as a SP but that is part of the point I'm making - she's making it seem that way because she's bending the rules. I've been reluctant to point out all the perks she gets out of her deceit as I know I'm going to be accused of being jealous (and maybe I am because I don't have another person to prop me up when they sanction me and I also have an illness that makes working a struggle but I do my best) but she goes on holidays that cost £thousands WITH HER PARTNER and replaces her car frequently, all the while boasting about it, is having more DC etc. She's been getting away with it so long that she probably feels immune.

I have for a very long time ignored her cheating the system thinking that it would eventually catch up with her because if it were me, I know I'd be caught, but doesn't look like that will happen. How is it fair that she gets away with it when everybody else I know struggles when going along with the rules?

I doubt I'll report her to be honest but it's just so infuriating having to listen to her. I've distanced myself but can't completely because she is part of my wider circle of friends.

[FlameGrilled]

The point is she isn't a single parent so she makes a mockery of those of us who are and are genuinely struggling.