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Original poster

To report this as benefit fraud

517 replies

ClareClareClareClare · 15/04/2025 15:08

A relative is claiming benefits, can’t work due to health but is one of those who is always complaining about something wrong with her but is always able to do the things she wants to do. Can holiday abroad, always down the gym, etc. When she was working she was always making complaints against employers- one of life’s victims.

She sold a property a couple of years ago and has squirrelled about £40k away through investments. I think has got her mother to do this for her.

I’m so fed up of seeing people like her take the piss. I 100% support a welfare system and it really pisses me off to see it abused like this. And meanwhile we are working our arses off and not able to afford the foreign travel and gym memberships.

I’m so tempted to report her secret savings to DWP.

OP posts:
Oblahdeeoblahdoe · 15/04/2025 19:00

Sounds like she's committing a double fraud - claiming disability benefits while going to the gym and on foreign holidays and hiding savings. Tbh though I don't understand the benefits system so don't know the link to PIP and UC. I understand your outrage OP but don't think I'd ever report.

pointythings · 15/04/2025 19:00

Hastentoadd · 15/04/2025 18:56

You don’t need to be sure of all facts to report suspicion of fraud

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No, you just have to be limited of conscience and prepared to live with yourself if you are wrong.

pointythings · 15/04/2025 18:59

ClareClareClareClare · 15/04/2025 18:47

I don’t think she’s too unwell to work.

But that’s another can of worms.

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Where did you get your medical degree? Honestly, it gets worse with every post.

BlessedBeTheGroot · 15/04/2025 18:58

Hastentoadd · 15/04/2025 18:55

And if they are found guilty for fraud, they will probably lose that £40k anyway.

You sound like you don’t agree that people who are found guilty of fraud should be punished?

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No, I absolutely do.
However, I have known people who have been found guilty of benefit fraud (said they lived alone when they didn't). Had to pay literal pence back per week.

ShanghaiDiva · 15/04/2025 18:57

Hastentoadd · 15/04/2025 18:56

You don’t need to be sure of all facts to report suspicion of fraud

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Makes you wonder why the OP started the thread then?
why waste time on mumsnet when you could be on the phone to DWP

dizzydizzydizzy · 15/04/2025 18:57

Do you know what benefits she is claiming? Universal Credit is means-tested and you are not supposed to have to if you have more than £16k in savings or in the bank. PIP is a disability/chronic illness benefit and is not means tested.

And what is her health condition? Is it something invisible like a neurological condition? There are a number of health conditions where going to the gym would help a lot. For example, a friend of mine has Ehlers Danlos Syndrome. Strength training helps her to avoid joint dislocations, which is one of the many problems of her condition. She would not be able to go to work - she has many days where the fatigue is so bad she will spend the whole afternoon in bed but she prioritizes her gym workouts.

nonmerci99 · 15/04/2025 18:57

You come across as a very bitter and frankly rather small person. This is a depressing thread indeed, but not for the reasons you’ve stated.

Hastentoadd · 15/04/2025 18:56

Brefugee · 15/04/2025 18:55

you are so sure of all the details? dob her in
Do it.

You don’t need to be sure of all facts to report suspicion of fraud

Hastentoadd · 15/04/2025 18:55

BlessedBeTheGroot · 15/04/2025 18:52

I know that. You keep saying it.
OP has gone from reporting them for undeclared savings to reporting them for going to the gym and not being "unwell enough" for benefits.

And if they are found guilty for fraud, they will probably lose that £40k anyway.

Show quote history

And if they are found guilty for fraud, they will probably lose that £40k anyway.

You sound like you don’t agree that people who are found guilty of fraud should be punished?

Brefugee · 15/04/2025 18:55

you are so sure of all the details? dob her in
Do it.

BlessedBeTheGroot · 15/04/2025 18:52

Hastentoadd · 15/04/2025 18:50

The person has 40k so she will have plenty to live off

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I know that. You keep saying it.
OP has gone from reporting them for undeclared savings to reporting them for going to the gym and not being "unwell enough" for benefits.

And if they are found guilty for fraud, they will probably lose that £40k anyway.

ilovesooty · 15/04/2025 18:52

ClareClareClareClare · 15/04/2025 18:36

Yes.
ther do this when people go in to care and money shifted out to children within the recent years. You can’t just make it disappear to avoid tax/becoming eligible for welfare, etc.

I imagine a few bums on this thread are nipping as they don’t seem to realise it and getting very defensive about it.

Maybe they are worried about someone “jealous little beak” revealing their fraud.

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Who are the "bums" then? I've never claimed a penny in out of work or disability benefit.

Montea · 15/04/2025 18:50

ClareClareClareClare · 15/04/2025 18:42

If my OP was “I think my cousin is pilfering funds from her job at the children’s home” I bet no one would have said mind your own business/you’ll make life hard for her etc

Edited

I commented and asked you questions about your OP. You’ve chosen not to answer them even though they would give us an insight into what we would do which was your question?

Hastentoadd · 15/04/2025 18:50

BlessedBeTheGroot · 15/04/2025 18:48

From the Gov website....

"Your benefit may be stopped while you’re investigated. You’ll get a letter telling you about this if it happens"

https://www.gov.uk/benefit-fraud#:~:text=Your%20benefit%20may%20be%20stopped,an%20'interview%20under%20caution'.

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The person has 40k so she will have plenty to live off

BlessedBeTheGroot · 15/04/2025 18:50

ClareClareClareClare · 15/04/2025 18:47

I don’t think she’s too unwell to work.

But that’s another can of worms.

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Not up to you to decide that.
It will have been assessed and determined by the DWP.

iwentjasonwaterfalls · 15/04/2025 18:49

ClareClareClareClare · 15/04/2025 18:42

If my OP was “I think my cousin is pilfering funds from her job at the children’s home” I bet no one would have said mind your own business/you’ll make life hard for her etc

Edited

We'd be saying "why the hell are you telling us, either report her or don't, you don't need our permission", which is the same as this case really.

BlessedBeTheGroot · 15/04/2025 18:48

ClareClareClareClare · 15/04/2025 18:45

I don’t think that’s true.

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From the Gov website....

"Your benefit may be stopped while you’re investigated. You’ll get a letter telling you about this if it happens"

https://www.gov.uk/benefit-fraud#:~:text=Your%20benefit%20may%20be%20stopped,an%20'interview%20under%20caution'.

ShanghaiDiva · 15/04/2025 18:48

ClareClareClareClare · 15/04/2025 18:47

I don’t think she’s too unwell to work.

But that’s another can of worms.

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So you now have a detailed knowledge of her medical history as well as her financial history?
are you a medical professional?

Original poster
ClareClareClareClare · 15/04/2025 18:48

pointythings · 15/04/2025 18:45

And here's the traditional assumption that anyone suggesting that reporting benefit fraid without absolute certainty must be on benefits themselves and probably committing fraud too.

Sorry mate. Not claiming a penny. But I do know that comparison is the thief of joy, and your joy has gone fully walkies.

The fact that you don't even know what this person is claiming suggests that you are nowhere near having enough knowledge to report anything.

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If I know she’s on UC that’s all that I need to know. The possible pip is irrelevant.

OP posts:
iwentjasonwaterfalls · 15/04/2025 18:48

My parents were accused of benefit fraud when I was a teenager and had their benefits stopped while they were investigated. It was hell.

ilovesooty · 15/04/2025 18:48

Soulstirring · 15/04/2025 18:08

It doesn’t sound petty and vindictive to me. The sooner people are responsible for themselves the better, not expecting social care to subside their lifestyle when they have the capacity or means to do so themselves. For those truly in need, no issue, but for those taking advantage then we need to do more to change the situation. Including speaking out. Well done OP for raising this, I hope you have the fortitude to see it through.

You define illness and disability as a lifestyle? ETA - as long as people are ill and disabled enough...

ShanghaiDiva · 15/04/2025 18:47

ClareClareClareClare · 15/04/2025 18:43

I never said she was too unwell to work.

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This is what you said in your opening post.

Original poster
ClareClareClareClare · 15/04/2025 18:47

BlessedBeTheGroot · 15/04/2025 18:46

You said she "can't work due to health"

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I don’t think she’s too unwell to work.

But that’s another can of worms.

OP posts:
Hastentoadd · 15/04/2025 18:46

BlessedBeTheGroot · 15/04/2025 18:45

A person with nothing to hide would still have their money stopped for months whilst investigations were taking place.

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But you are forgetting that the OP knows this person has 40k so she will have plenty to live off