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AIBU?

AIBU to report family member for benefit fraud?

237 replies

YUDOTHIS · 06/08/2015 08:18

I have a family member who openly (to family) commits benefit fraud. she has one child, who is between 1 and 2 (trying not to out self here). She claims income support and child benefit, housing benefit etc as a single mother, however her partner lives with her (but "legally" lives with and pays tax etc from his mums house) I know that including benefits they have an income of 5k every month. I can't say which is benefits and which is her partners income as i've never asked but I know benefits are low and probably wouldn't top 1.5k max a month including housing benefit.
It really does bother me, as she is quite happy to rub it in my face, she is college qualified and has applied for jobs over the last 7-8 months or so, but has turned down 9 jobs because "I want to be able to afford my monthly boohoo shop and until I can do that in a job I'm staying on benefits" it really does irk me as I know she does not need this income and its wrong while thousands are being sanctioned every week and not having money to live on and she's laughing all the way, I've had to claim benefits myself and I feel people like her just keep the stigma going! I really really want to report but I don't know how many people she has told and if she has only told immediate family I worry it'll kick up a massive stink, I can't lie to save my life either!
WIBU to report her for fraud?

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Goshthatsspicy · 06/08/2015 08:19

What is a " boo hoo" shop?

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Goshthatsspicy · 06/08/2015 08:21

Anyway, this thread will get busy op
Be prep to have everything you've said scrutinised, put back together and reprinted in Japanese!

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YUDOTHIS · 06/08/2015 08:21

Boohoo is a website to buy clothes etc. Sorry, I didn't realize it'd be hard to understand! rephrase that to "shopping spree" same thing.

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MarchelineWhatNot · 06/08/2015 08:22

BooHoo.

I would report her.

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Branleuse · 06/08/2015 08:22

for real?
Stop being friendly with her if you dont like her or her conversation, but dont screw her over out of spite. If she gets caught one day, she'll regret it but tbh I hardly expect shes living the high life. Id keep my nose out, but cut back on the friendship

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TheCunnyFunt · 06/08/2015 08:22

Boohoo.com, it's an online clothes shop.

Yanbu OP, do it. I wouldn't hesitate to in your position.

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StillStayingClassySanDiego · 06/08/2015 08:23

Well you can shop her and then deal with the fall out if your call is investigated.

Or stop seeing this family member who pisses you off with her showing off of breaking the law.

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DamnBamboo · 06/08/2015 08:23

No YANBU (despite what many will say). if in fact she is lying about her situation for financial gain courtesy of the taxpayer, she should be reported.

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Goshthatsspicy · 06/08/2015 08:25

Boohoo - okay thanks.

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YUDOTHIS · 06/08/2015 08:26

Cutting her out isn't an option. Too close of a family member for that one, I don't see her much as it is (couple of times a month) but she seems so proud of what shes doing, as if she's actually achieved something by committing fraud, therefore never shuts up about it. Ok slight exaggeration there but it gets mentioned at least four times with a lighthearted amusement every time I spend more than an hour in her company

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milliemanzi · 06/08/2015 08:27

Ugh would find it hard to get worked up about this to be honest.

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Bubblesinthesummer · 06/08/2015 08:27

I know benefits are low and probably wouldn't top 1.5k max a month including housing benefit

That isn't 'low' though. It is more than some get in salary a month with no benefit help.

I would say something tbh. 5k a month in income is a very large amount and even with the benefits taken off they would still have an income of 3.5k a month!

I would say something tbh. They are takibg something that she isn't entitled to, whilst othete s are struggling to get what they need.

YANBU

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milliemanzi · 06/08/2015 08:28

Maybe just tell her you don't agree with what she is doing and ask her to stop talking about it as it makes you feel uncomfortable?

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Bubblesinthesummer · 06/08/2015 08:28

Sorry for the typosBlush

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Tryharder · 06/08/2015 08:30

If it were someone on income support who was cleaning a few hours for cash to save for Xmas presents or something, I would say leave it and wouldn't have a problem with that at all.

But someone with a monthly income of £5k?

That's proper taking the piss and isn't fair. Report her with any conscious and to be honest, I would probably tell her I was reporting her and that she is a thief.

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ShortandSweeter · 06/08/2015 08:30

Leave it.

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musicalbingo · 06/08/2015 08:31

YANBU. Report her.

People abusing the system is half the reason cuts are being made.

As a side note: £3.5k cleared take home pay is huge for context, it's a gross salary (assuming proper tax is paid) of around £60k PA.
They do not need benefits, sick and vulnerable people do. Report them.

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Preciousbane · 06/08/2015 08:31

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

KissMyFatArse · 06/08/2015 08:32

Yanbu - many will disagree but I can't stand this kinda thing so I would too.

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MarchelineWhatNot · 06/08/2015 08:32

If it were someone on income support who was cleaning a few hours for cash to save for Xmas presents or something, I would say leave it and wouldn't have a problem with that at all.

I agree with this. However, an extra 1.5k a month, that is just pure and utter greed.

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SylvanianCaliphate · 06/08/2015 08:34

Sorry but YABU.

Report her if you must, watch the shit storm it causes for her and her child and enjoy her comeuppance.

Or (if you honestly are worried about the 'cost to taxpayers' Hmm) just tell her you are going to report her, yknow to her face.

Either way she will stop claiming. But only by reporting her can you sit back and enjoy the fallout, without the rest of your family thinking you are a spiteful cunt. Smile

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FurtherSupport · 06/08/2015 08:35

Is the partner the father of the child?

I can kind of see why they might do this is it's a new relationship and they don't feel he should have responsibility for the child, but if he's the father, that's outrageous.

I probably wouldn't report though. (chicken)

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honeysucklejasmine · 06/08/2015 08:36

I can't understand why people are saying to ignore it! It's illegal, and immoral. She's stealing from the pot and laughing about it. When people are living in abject poverty, her crimes are like spitting in their face.

OP it's perfectly likely that a neighbour might notice her OH and report her... She'll have no reason to know it was you.

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MrsDeVere · 06/08/2015 08:36

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

YUDOTHIS · 06/08/2015 08:36

Yes, he is the father. together for 7yrs, engaged for four. theres no shirking from commitment going on here.
SC- can you tell me exactly why I'm unreasonable? ta for the advice and all- But you say nothing about why i'm actually unreasonable...

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