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AIBU?

To consider reporting a friend for benefits fraud

94 replies

bimbabirba · 03/10/2013 21:05

She's a former colleague who has been quite close to me and the rest of my family in the last two years. So much so that we went on holiday with our DCs and partners during summer and had a great time together.
I've always known that she has a blue badge for back pain and I was already uncomfortable about it. Not once in almost 3 years have I seen her struggle, limp, drag her feet, etc. We went hiking this summer and she didn't flinch! She regularly picks ups and carries around my toddler and not once has she struggled! I've only ever seen her "in pain" the day she went to a GP appointment and guess what? That day she was on crutches! The rest of the time she does everything absolutely normally!
I've recently discovered that she's been awarded the highest rate of the mobility component of DLA for being "virtually unable to walk" and I'm disgusted. She has had an operation a few years ago due to a whiplash injury and I really feel she's been milking it big time. She can be very persuasive so I can see how she would manage to bullshit her way through the system.
The trouble is, I work in this field and the idea that this person is on DLA HR mob is totally repulsive to me because I know what the qualifying criteria are and she definitely doesn't fit them.
I'm also considering befriending her but would I be a total bitch if I reported her?
Thanks for your opinions!

OP posts:

Report

DSM · 03/10/2013 21:12

Nope.

I had a 'friend' once who was frauding the system (claimed she was a single parent when her partner was working FT, they got housed, benefits etc) and I cut her out of my life. I wasn't brave enough to tell her why or report her and I regret it.

It makes me sick. He earned more than we did and they took all the handouts whilst we got nothing.

Melonbreath · 03/10/2013 21:13

Yanbu.
Report her, it's anonymous

IWishYouWould · 03/10/2013 21:15

If you already know the criteria; could you be just seeing her on 'good' days and she's housebound on 'bad' days? Or do you see her enough to be certain she is faking her symptoms? If its the latter then I would report her. Each person taking from the system fraudulently, leaves less for those really in need.

JumpingJackSprat · 03/10/2013 21:15

report. if shes not defrauding then she has nothing to hide.

gamerchick · 03/10/2013 21:17

No I wouldn't. She'll get caught eventually all on her own.

HeySoulSister · 03/10/2013 21:18

Nah..... You don't know enough about her. You are just guessing. Those saying report her..... What if he benefits are cut whilst she's investigated?? Maybe she would struggle?

SunshineSuperNova · 03/10/2013 21:19

Have you considered that she may have a fluctuating condition, and that you see her on her best days?

My DH has MS. On a good day he can walk without sticks and do lots of things. He has poor feeling in his hands, but it's not visible to others. On a bad day he needs a stick for balance, gets tired and finds it hard to do buttons.

On the worst days he could be paralysed down one side, or barely able to feel his hands. On those days he can't open the door to the house, open a jar, cook...

quoteunquote · 03/10/2013 21:21

Have you talked to her about it?

Dahlen · 03/10/2013 21:23

Have you asked her about her condition?

kali110 · 03/10/2013 21:25

How often do u see her?i have damage to my spine and knee caps. Some days i cant get out of bed let alone work but on good days i can meet friends or extremely rarely see a band!
You may see her on good days or maybe she doesnt say when shes in pain? Though im always trying to see the good in people.
I do think if she really struggles then you would have seen some evidence. My colleagues always could tell when i was having a bAd day.
Mind you, I'm not claiming anything as doc thinks I'm fit for work if i dose myself up on morphine all day, anybody know a job you can do when your spaced out??

valiumredhead · 03/10/2013 21:26

No, mind your own business. She might have a fluctuating condition and one which her doctor thinks is permanent as that's the only way to qualify for a blue badge.

I have a blue badge,I was so busy today, and on my feet for a lot of it. Tomorrow I won't be able to move and will spend most of the day with ice packs on my feet / ankles hobbling around.

bimbabirba · 03/10/2013 21:26

Definitely not a case of her struggling if not on DLA. She's a top solicitor and her husband an accountant, they're well-off and would not struggle without DLA.
Back pain is very variable but I have never seen her struggle or even heard her complain and I see her every week, used to see her every day when we worked together. You have to be "virtually unable to walk" most days for HR mob and that's definitely not the case.
On holiday she managed to hike up a mountain with no trouble.

OP posts:

BabylonReturns · 03/10/2013 21:27

If you're sure she is playing the system, then yes, I would definitely report her. But you do have to consider that she may have a fluctuating condition as already mentioned.

BrokenSunglasses · 03/10/2013 21:27

If you have strong reason to believe she's committing fraud, then of course you should report her. Why do you even need to ask?

Dahlen · 03/10/2013 21:30

If she's a top solicitor, her H is an accountant and they're well off, why do you think they're making a fraudulent claim? In their situation wouldn't the risk assessment make it a stupid idea?

CooCooCachoo · 03/10/2013 21:31

It's fraud, report, report, report!

ConfusedDotty · 03/10/2013 21:35

Report her. It's wrong and ultimately you are paying for her benefits. I reported a so called friend for exactly the same thing years ago and I have no qualms about it. No one should get something for nothing.

bimbabirba · 03/10/2013 21:36

If she's a top solicitor, her H is an accountant and they're well off, why do you think they're making a fraudulent claim?
Because she spends money like water

OP posts:

bimbabirba · 03/10/2013 21:37

She has been hinting at wanting a new car for the past few months too

OP posts:

Jinsei · 03/10/2013 21:43

How did you find out that she is clIming HR DLA? Is it possible that this could be a misunderstanding?

TheOrcHeadKeeper · 03/10/2013 21:43

Is this definitely not because of something else? It reads like you really don't like her?

If not then of course, report it.

HeySoulSister · 03/10/2013 21:45

What is a 'top solicitor'?

And which mountain did she climb?

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bimbabirba · 03/10/2013 21:48

I do like her a lot apart for the "dodgy" side of her which also made her sue two former employers because of her bad back and fund home improvements with the money.
She told my DH about the DLA. A while ago she wanted me to help her get it and she backed off when I said I really didn't think she qualified. I thought she on the idea but clearly not. She said she has taken it to Tribunal and clearly the crutches have worked

OP posts:

bimbabirba · 03/10/2013 21:48

*I thought she had given up on the idea

OP posts:

CooCooCachoo · 03/10/2013 21:50

I'm also a solicitor and am bombarded with anti fraud training, admittedly have moved from banking/finance to public sector so to be expected, but I'm pretty sure she ought to know better....pretty standard conduct rules stuff!

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