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Original poster

Should I report my cousin's benefit fraud?

613 replies

GreatAmberSnake · 20/02/2025 09:35

Hi everyone - I'm having a bit of a moral dilemma and looking to get everyone's opinions.

My M34 cousin doesn't work, he claims PIP. I'm not that familiar with how it works but he says he's on the highest level available, and there's even talk of him getting given a car. He openly boasts at every opportunity about the extreme exaggerations and outright lies he put on his PIP application, and calls me and other members of the family idiots for working when we could just get our money from PIP like he does.

If they investigated him they would easily find that some of his lies don't add up. I believe he genuinely does have depression and anxiety, but he has no physical issues. He said he put things like his partner needs to dress him in the morning (he split from his partner a couple of years ago), needs to wear velcro shoes as he can't tie laces etc. A home visit would show up some of his lies, and a call to the school (he's a weekend Dad but sometimes picks up/drops off his sons) or the Police (he's been arrested for drug offences a couple of times) would be further proof.

The main thing stopping me from reporting him is his depression. He has attempted suicide on at least one occasion, and I fear that a potential prison sentence for fraud could send him into a spiral. Even if no-one found out it was me, I really don't want that on my conscience.

If he didn't boast all the time I would just ignore it, it's not like it affects me directly, but it just winds me up every time he goes on about. Grrrr!! I do try to minimise contact with him but sometimes it's easier said than done. If he gets this car I think he'll become even more unbearable 😡

Help! What would you do?

OP posts:
PandoraSox · 20/02/2025 16:23

scanni · 20/02/2025 16:11

But for mental health things, you just tell a doctor and the doc writes it down in an answer to the PIP assessor and bob's your uncle.

Lets all do it and report back in a years time, see how accurate this comment is Confused

Well quite. If it was that easy, there would be a lot more than 3.6 million claiming PIP.

dizzydizzydizzy · 20/02/2025 16:22

I just don't understand how anyone can claim Pip fraudulently. Absolutely every claim on your application is checked and double-checked. Even with doctors letters stating how difficult your life is, they tend not to believe you.

LadyKenya · 20/02/2025 16:21

Tabitha1960 · 20/02/2025 16:01

It's a lie to say that PIP is hard to get. It is if you are claiming for something physical as you have to be assessed physically.

But for mental health things, you just tell a doctor and the doc writes it down in an answer to the PIP assessor and bob's your uncle. This is what you cousin has done.

I was once attacked by someone who claimed Sickness Benefit as well as PIP for anxiety and depression. His FB and Twitter feed were filled with endless photos of him smiling and happy, flying all over the world on pleasure trips, staying in the best hotels and eating at top restaurants. It wound me up so much that I collected all the evidence in screen shots and spent two days writing a long report to the fraud department.

If he's so "anxious" that he cannot hold down a job, how can he be jetsetting all over the world with a big fat self satisfied smile on his face?

They completely and utterly ignored my letter, and five years on he's still living on benefits and enjoying exotic holidays.

So, don't bother.

Edited

How do you know that your letter outlining all his activities was ignored? How do you know that they did not look into his claim, following your helpful tip off, and found nothing wrong? Those two days spent detailing his movements did nothing to benefit you at all.

x2boys · 20/02/2025 16:20

PandoraSox · 20/02/2025 16:18

There are a few things that puzzle me about your post. How old is your friend? How long has she been getting DLA for? What is a mobility car?

Show quote history

Yeah it's clear some posters don't know the process and are just making stuff up!

PandoraSox · 20/02/2025 16:18

Praying4Peace · 20/02/2025 15:48

Thank you. I know of someone who admits that she has exaggerated her whiplash injury to successfully get a mobility car. The same person gets DLA and is a regular visitor to an overseas holiday resort that I visit. She is considered a regular there and has no obvious mobility issues. The system is being abused. Meanwhile, there are struggling families having to work OT to keep the boat afloat

Show quote history

There are a few things that puzzle me about your post. How old is your friend? How long has she been getting DLA for? What is a mobility car?

LadyKenya · 20/02/2025 16:16

Miley1967 · 20/02/2025 15:40

Oh yes absolutely. People always quote this figures of 0.000001 % PIp benefit fraud or whatever it is . Absolute nonsense ! The genuine people are getting knocked back and the pisstakers are laughing at us.

Edited
Show quote history

With your expert help, no doubt🤔.

x2boys · 20/02/2025 16:11

Praying4Peace · 20/02/2025 15:48

Thank you. I know of someone who admits that she has exaggerated her whiplash injury to successfully get a mobility car. The same person gets DLA and is a regular visitor to an overseas holiday resort that I visit. She is considered a regular there and has no obvious mobility issues. The system is being abused. Meanwhile, there are struggling families having to work OT to keep the boat afloat

Show quote history

She wouldn't get HRM for whiplash.

scanni · 20/02/2025 16:11

But for mental health things, you just tell a doctor and the doc writes it down in an answer to the PIP assessor and bob's your uncle.

Lets all do it and report back in a years time, see how accurate this comment is Confused

x2boys · 20/02/2025 16:10

Tabitha1960 · 20/02/2025 16:01

It's a lie to say that PIP is hard to get. It is if you are claiming for something physical as you have to be assessed physically.

But for mental health things, you just tell a doctor and the doc writes it down in an answer to the PIP assessor and bob's your uncle. This is what you cousin has done.

I was once attacked by someone who claimed Sickness Benefit as well as PIP for anxiety and depression. His FB and Twitter feed were filled with endless photos of him smiling and happy, flying all over the world on pleasure trips, staying in the best hotels and eating at top restaurants. It wound me up so much that I collected all the evidence in screen shots and spent two days writing a long report to the fraud department.

If he's so "anxious" that he cannot hold down a job, how can he be jetsetting all over the world with a big fat self satisfied smile on his face?

They completely and utterly ignored my letter, and five years on he's still living on benefits and enjoying exotic holidays.

So, don't bother.

Edited

It's not that simple as it would be all patient says they want proper evidence
So if someone is claiming for mental health issues, do they see a CPN
Have they been seen by the crisis team
In patient admission, s etc.

Tabitha1960 · 20/02/2025 16:01

It's a lie to say that PIP is hard to get. It is if you are claiming for something physical as you have to be assessed physically.

But for mental health things, you just tell a doctor and the doc writes it down in an answer to the PIP assessor and bob's your uncle. This is what you cousin has done.

I was once attacked by someone who claimed Sickness Benefit as well as PIP for anxiety and depression. His FB and Twitter feed were filled with endless photos of him smiling and happy, flying all over the world on pleasure trips, staying in the best hotels and eating at top restaurants. It wound me up so much that I collected all the evidence in screen shots and spent two days writing a long report to the fraud department.

If he's so "anxious" that he cannot hold down a job, how can he be jetsetting all over the world with a big fat self satisfied smile on his face?

They completely and utterly ignored my letter, and five years on he's still living on benefits and enjoying exotic holidays.

So, don't bother.

x2boys · 20/02/2025 15:59

Julen7 · 20/02/2025 15:38

@Miley1967 despite your saying that you see people like this every week in your job, there is flat out denial by many posters that anyone ever exaggerates or lies about their conditions.

There are many people that exaggerate and lie about their conditions I see it daily on a DLA Facebook group I'm on ,people putting in claims for very tenuous reasons
Most don't actually succeed though as they don't have evidence to back up what they are saying.

Praying4Peace · 20/02/2025 15:48

PandoraSox · 20/02/2025 11:54

If he gets this car I think he'll become even more unbearable

If he has no physical issues @GreatAmberSnake he won't be getting the higher rate mobility component so won't qualify to lease a car from Motability. I hope that sets your mind at rest.

I am so sorry you have to endure his boasting about fraudulently claiming.

There are so many mumsnetters who have relatives/friends/neighbours/hairdressers/plumbers/sister's husband's cousin's wives who openly boast about defrauding the benefits system. It is quite astounding.

Edited

Thank you. I know of someone who admits that she has exaggerated her whiplash injury to successfully get a mobility car. The same person gets DLA and is a regular visitor to an overseas holiday resort that I visit. She is considered a regular there and has no obvious mobility issues. The system is being abused. Meanwhile, there are struggling families having to work OT to keep the boat afloat

Praying4Peace · 20/02/2025 15:43

Personally, I wouldn't report him. I know of people who are cheating the system and their sense of entitlement is mind blowing. It really infuriates me, as someone who has worked for everything they have but I try to put it to one side.
I am totally supportive of people getting benefits to support when their situation warrants it but there are too many people who abuse the system. I know of someone who sought expert advice on the right things to write on application form.
Let's not pretend that benefit abuse isn't real. AHHHHHHHHHHHH

Julen7 · 20/02/2025 15:43

Miley1967 · 20/02/2025 15:40

Oh yes absolutely. People always quote this figures of 0.000001 % PIp benefit fraud or whatever it is . Absolute nonsense ! The genuine people are getting knocked back and the pisstakers are laughing at us.

Edited
Show quote history

Yes was just going to add about the 0.000000001 % PIP fraud line being trotted out every five posts or so. A likely story.

Jaehee · 20/02/2025 15:43

Miley1967 · 20/02/2025 15:29

The thing is with people like this, is that they can say anything to their GP and nothing can be proved, anyone can exaggerate difficulties with MH or say they have suicidal thoughts and there is absolutely no way anyone can prove whether they have or not. This is what makes an assessors job difficult . There are a lot playing the system, I see them every week in my job, but really there is little that can be done.

How do you know they're exaggerating their difficulties?

Can you give an example?

Miley1967 · 20/02/2025 15:40

Julen7 · 20/02/2025 15:38

@Miley1967 despite your saying that you see people like this every week in your job, there is flat out denial by many posters that anyone ever exaggerates or lies about their conditions.

Oh yes absolutely. People always quote this figures of 0.000001 % PIp benefit fraud or whatever it is . Absolute nonsense ! The genuine people are getting knocked back and the pisstakers are laughing at us.

Julen7 · 20/02/2025 15:38

@Miley1967 despite your saying that you see people like this every week in your job, there is flat out denial by many posters that anyone ever exaggerates or lies about their conditions.

Jaehee · 20/02/2025 15:36

40weeksmummy · 20/02/2025 15:02

I used to work at A&E .You wouldn't believe how many times I saw the same people coming every second night "dying" and then smoking outside and drinking cola. They gathering medical evidence for PIP (every report, appointment letter from GP, A&E ).There was one lady claiming she is not able to eat for weeks and then smashing sandwiches from cafe. EVERY SECOND NIGHT FOR TWO WEEKS.

And they told you this did they?

Miley1967 · 20/02/2025 15:29

The thing is with people like this, is that they can say anything to their GP and nothing can be proved, anyone can exaggerate difficulties with MH or say they have suicidal thoughts and there is absolutely no way anyone can prove whether they have or not. This is what makes an assessors job difficult . There are a lot playing the system, I see them every week in my job, but really there is little that can be done.

scanni · 20/02/2025 15:23

@mydogisthebest

When did I say he was getting PIP? I said benefits

My mistake. I thought you were taking about OP cousin, who the thread is about.

scanni · 20/02/2025 15:22

40weeksmummy · 20/02/2025 15:02

I used to work at A&E .You wouldn't believe how many times I saw the same people coming every second night "dying" and then smoking outside and drinking cola. They gathering medical evidence for PIP (every report, appointment letter from GP, A&E ).There was one lady claiming she is not able to eat for weeks and then smashing sandwiches from cafe. EVERY SECOND NIGHT FOR TWO WEEKS.

What proof are they gathering if nothing is wrong with them?

LadyKenya · 20/02/2025 15:15

40weeksmummy · 20/02/2025 15:02

I used to work at A&E .You wouldn't believe how many times I saw the same people coming every second night "dying" and then smoking outside and drinking cola. They gathering medical evidence for PIP (every report, appointment letter from GP, A&E ).There was one lady claiming she is not able to eat for weeks and then smashing sandwiches from cafe. EVERY SECOND NIGHT FOR TWO WEEKS.

Appointment letters mean nothing with PIP. It seems like a strange way to gather evidence for PIP, by sitting in A&E for hours on end, day in, day out, especially if nothing is found to be wrong!

ilovesooty · 20/02/2025 15:15

Wildflowers99 · 20/02/2025 13:37

Not being goady but if it’s notoriously difficult to claim, why are 50% of claims approved and we have 3.5 million people claiming it? We spend more on disability benefits than our entire military budget, so it must be a lot?

Show quote history

In 2023 - 24 more than £6.8 billion was spent on disability benefits. This includes Attendance Allowance. In the same period £53.9 billion was spent on defence.

bestcatlife · 20/02/2025 15:14

It's a shame that genuine people are getting royally screwed over. People with genuine suicidal ideation don't have the energy to fight the system. It's sad, very frustrating and unfair. The benefits system could be changed in a positive way to weed out people who are 'lying' - such as someone below said, home assessments etc. but no, Labour would rather spend their time and money getting bots to write fake posts on social media sites, and writing daily mail drivel that makes people froth at the mouth.
They'd rather tar everyone with the same benefit grabbing brush. Same as it ever was.....

40weeksmummy · 20/02/2025 15:02

I used to work at A&E .You wouldn't believe how many times I saw the same people coming every second night "dying" and then smoking outside and drinking cola. They gathering medical evidence for PIP (every report, appointment letter from GP, A&E ).There was one lady claiming she is not able to eat for weeks and then smashing sandwiches from cafe. EVERY SECOND NIGHT FOR TWO WEEKS.