Is it ever OK to report anyone?

An old and scruffy tall motorhome parked in front of my house - Victorian terrace in London, , house windows not far from the pavement so was making my front room very dark. I don’t own the road, we all have to park where we can, everyone has the right to park anywhere they like if done legally etc. I’m hardly ever parked outside my own house short term so fine if a bit irritating.

After a month, however, without it moving at all I took a closer look and noted bald tyres so looked up the reg number to find expired tax and MOT. We have had a few vehicles dumped in our quiet side road over the years so I reported it to the council who moved it after another month and a half or so.

A few months later, a man knocked on the door asking what had happened to his van. He had just come back from travelling for months, had parked there because it was convenient for the airport, at the suggestion of his friend, who lived much further up the road. The friend had said it would be fine to stop anywhere as long as the van owner needed as long as he didn’t park outside his house ! This neighbour later came to tell me he thought I had been mean and petty, cheeky sod.

I think it’s the rare situation where you can actually know someone is committing paperwork related fraud. You might suspect, but it’s hard to know for certain.

If it’s not something that would be investigated by the police, then if you don’t have hard proof, it’s best not to report on suspicion.

Why does the reason matter? That’s the thing about lawbreakers they always look for a way to character assassinate the reporter as if that makes them less guilty.

Why should a drink driver not be reported even if they are singled out due to jealousy or revenge or ‘because I can’?
Why do witnesses have to be pure of heart (leaving themselves open to the charge of sanctimony).

I would only narc if it involved a child or vulnerable person being harmed.
If someone is doing something slightly unethical I wouldn’t get involved.

I was “reported” (in quotes because I was doing nothing wrong) for benefit fraud.

The stress of goi g through a compliance interview because someone was jealous I had been on holiday was rough! It makes you look at everyone around you and very distrustful because it could literally have been anyone.

So from that perspective be very sure that the person you are reporting is doing something wrong before reporting. Not least because it was a waste of time for my compliance officer who actually said to me we can tell 95% of malicious claims before we even investigate but we still have to spend the time investigating.

@PassingStranger

I agree with @catgirl1976

Totally agree

Something that puts another person (or animal) at risk yes- child abuse, DV, animal neglect, drunk/drug driving, drug dealing yes.
Something that has the potential to effect another person badly probably- driving without insurance, drug taking if there are children in the house- only a small number of circumstances when I wouldn't.
Benefit fraud- if someone was really taking the piss e.g claiming they were unable to walk while walking miles over a golf course then yes. Someone doing a few hours cash in hand work probably not.
Car tax/TV licence- probably couldn't be bothered unless they pissed me off!

A friend of mine reported her mum for still claiming child benefit when mum had thrown her out of the home.

I mean if people don’t wanna be reported for benefit fraud, TV licence dodging or not getting their car taxed, then I suggest that they don’t commit benefit fraud, they get a TV license and they get their car taxed.

They may be ‘victimless crimes’ but if you want to live in a civilised society full of good upstanding people, then you have to look at the bigger picture.

Personally I think benefit fraudsters and tax dodgers are scum. I’d really rather have a scum-less society.

That's very different to the topic of the thread though.

Virtually no-one would criticise anyone for reporting criminal offences where very real interpersonal harm is likely or safeguarding adults, children or animals from abuse.

The OP is about things where a lot of people will say MYOB - car tax, TV licencing, benefit fraud.

She was banned shortly after (for about 2 years) as I believe was something like 4 times over the limit.

I anonymously reported a relative who had an alcohol problem, think drinking spirits as soon as she woke up.

She was driving her car regularly while over the limit, with her 2 small children in the back with no seat belts on.

She'd already been banned once as had crashed in to a tree while over the limit.

I just knew I couldn't have lived with myself if anything happened to those 2 small children.

Depends on what you are reporting and why.

What you did was absolutely the right thing and I would have done the same.

Depends, I would absolutely report child abuse, DV or animal cruelty/neglect.

Smoking a bit of weed, no TV licence absolutely no.

Car tax I don't think, but car insurance I probably would, driving under the influence definitely if I couldn't get them to stop via intervention.

Benefit fraud would depend, taking the piss with multiple holidays & new cars I probably would.

I wish I could report littering, not cleaning up dog crap & dangerous driving when their perpetrators are seen & have something actually be done about them.

I would absolutely report anything where a human or animal was at risk of harm, no question about it.

Think of it differently.

They might not like someone. Who knows Why?

This reminds me of the COVID days and people having a go and me for not reporting my own COVID results "but it's in the terms and conditions". Sorry but why am I supposed to give a shit?

It depends what you mean about 'is it ever okay?' and it 'coming back to bite you on the bum'.

Laws are there for a reason and benefit fraud, not paying car tax or TV licence are criminal offences in law (car tax and TV licencing only applying within specific parameters). Which can lead to prosecution.

So are you coming from it as - breaking the law is breaking the law, as members of society we all hold some kind of obligation to report law breaking because it does negatively impact on society?

Or is it more about "someone I don't like getting away with something that I'm not/wouldn't do, and that pisses me off"?

I have reported benefit fraud. I volunteered for CAB for years and tbh I saw way more people ashamed to claim or older people who thought “others deserved it more” than people taking the piss. When someone I know was claiming fraudulently and I knew it for a fact I reported. She was very pissed off her “free money” came to an end. If I thought she needed the money to put a roof over her head or feed her kids I would think it wrong but wouldn’t have reported.

My neighbour went on holiday for 2 weeks and left her poor dog locked in a tiny patio. The poor thing barked day and night. I reported ir to the RSPCA and someone came and took the dog (she had someone coming in daily to feed it). She was livid and had to fight to get her dog back. I would do it again without a second thought.

I wouldn't report someone for not having a TV licence. Benefit fraud possibly though depending on the circumstances.
A single parent working a few hours cash in hand to make ends meet - no Someone claiming several benefits but working basically full time cash in hand then yes

I can't imagine how boring and pathetic people's lives must be to be going around reporting people for not paying a TV license or car tax 🤣

Reporting something like benefit fraud, tax evasion or driving without insurance, I wouldn't bother personally but I think more valid as its more serious and decent sums of money involved.

I'd report safeguarding and DV issues.

I've been falsely reported for benefit fraud, luckily there was no evidence (they can see what's in my bank account without needing my permission to look) so they didn't have to suspend my benefits while they investigated.
It might be different today. My adult son lives at home and chips in for bills. IDK if that could trigger a more severe investigation.