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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:
BlessedBeTheGroot · 15/04/2025 17:09

Unsureabouteverything · 15/04/2025 17:07

I think you should report her, just like I think we should report any crime we are witness to. If she hasn't done anything wrong, then an investigation will reveal that.

In the mean time, she will have her benefits stopped. That could put her in real hardship.
By all means report someone you know to be committing benefit fraud, but only if you are 100% sure. And no one needs MN to validate that.

Rrirnw · 15/04/2025 17:09

YANBU. Report the fucker

Unsureabouteverything · 15/04/2025 17:07

I think you should report her, just like I think we should report any crime we are witness to. If she hasn't done anything wrong, then an investigation will reveal that.

5128gap · 15/04/2025 17:07

If the morality and legality really bothers you, then the decent thing is to tell her you can no longer stand by etc etc, and that if she doesn't stop her claim you will report her. That way the behaviour stops, you conscience is clear and you are able to own your judgements, rather than sneaking about making cowardly anonymous reports.

ShanghaiDiva · 15/04/2025 17:05

ClareClareClareClare · 15/04/2025 16:51

Hiding money by putting it in someone else’s name so you can claim benefits you’re not entitled to is very deliberate, pre planned fraud.

Then report her. Why do you need mumsnetters to validate your decision?

BillyBoe46 · 15/04/2025 17:05

ClareClareClareClare · 15/04/2025 16:40

Don’t you think benefit fraud impacts the taxpayer?

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You are assuming she is committing fraud. Some benefits are not means tested. If she is on a non means tested benefit her savings won't be considered at all.

PhilippaGeorgiou · 15/04/2025 17:04

If her mother has the money then it isn't her money - nothing to report.

SIgh, I wonder how many more benefits bashing threads we can take. If the OP wanted to report someone for fraud they didn't need a MN thread to give them permission, so there really is only one reason for the thread.

Coffeeishot · 15/04/2025 17:00

ClareClareClareClare · 15/04/2025 16:57

Is it making trouble? Or has she made her own trouble by planning fraud?

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Just do it, you don't need justification from the Internet, if you are sure of the facts report them.

Notposting · 15/04/2025 16:59

ClareClareClareClare · 15/04/2025 16:45

It’s ok to feel angry at fraud of the benefit system. That system is there to protect the vulnerable at their time of need. People with £40k savings taking money they aren’t entitled to are stealing that money from the taxpayer and from those genuinely in need.

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How do you know the benefits she has are means tested? We have significant savings, but our household income includes contribution based esa and PIP. It is allowed.

AnnaBalfour · 15/04/2025 16:58

You sound really jealous of your relative and as if you’re wanting people to tell you to dob her in on moral grounds to help you take the plunge and report them, though your grounds and motivations aren’t moral at all.

Original poster
ClareClareClareClare · 15/04/2025 16:57

Notposting · 15/04/2025 16:55

What a strange thread. Why ask MN? If you want to make trouble for her, do it. Just hope you have your facts right.

Is it making trouble? Or has she made her own trouble by planning fraud?

OP posts:
Notposting · 15/04/2025 16:55

What a strange thread. Why ask MN? If you want to make trouble for her, do it. Just hope you have your facts right.

WilmaFlintstone1 · 15/04/2025 16:55

If it’s PIP she is claiming then that not means tested. So having £40k is neither here nor there.

If it’s UC then she will have some explaining to do if she hasn’t declared it.

However, a single person on UC is generally not going on holidays etc as the amount for single claimants is minimal.

Do you know what she is claiming?

PrincessofWells · 15/04/2025 16:51

Swirlythingy2025 · 15/04/2025 15:24

as i understand the finance side of it, the £ could of been put in another persons name then techinally that belongs to them and is their investments

This is rubbish. The beneficial owner will remain the owner of the money - the claimant.

ilovesooty · 15/04/2025 16:51

ClareClareClareClare · 15/04/2025 16:45

It’s ok to feel angry at fraud of the benefit system. That system is there to protect the vulnerable at their time of need. People with £40k savings taking money they aren’t entitled to are stealing that money from the taxpayer and from those genuinely in need.

Show quote history

Well get on with reporting her then if that's what you want to do. Why do you need people here to validate your decision? I presume you're also going to tell her you're reporting her?

Original poster
ClareClareClareClare · 15/04/2025 16:51

Hiding money by putting it in someone else’s name so you can claim benefits you’re not entitled to is very deliberate, pre planned fraud.

OP posts:
5128gap · 15/04/2025 16:50

Swirlythingy2025 · 15/04/2025 15:24

as i understand the finance side of it, the £ could of been put in another persons name then techinally that belongs to them and is their investments

No, this is not so where benefits are concerned. If you give away money and then claim benefits they can act as though the money still belongs to you and make you repay your benefits and sometimes also prosecute you.

Original poster
ClareClareClareClare · 15/04/2025 16:49

5128gap · 15/04/2025 16:47

Not correct. If they are informed the person had £40k they will ask where its gone. Its not permitted to give it away to your mum in order to claim benefits. At best the person will have to pay back what they've recieved since they had the £40k, at worst they could get prosecuted if it's thought be be deliberate fraud. The OP is in a position to make things incredibly difficult for her relative if she's sufficiently vindictive.

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Is it me making it difficult for her??
if someone robs a bank and the police catch them are the police ‘making it difficult for them’? If someone is having an affair and a friend tells their wife are they making it difficult for them? Or is it consequence of your shitty actions?

OP posts:
Boomer55 · 15/04/2025 16:47

ClareClareClareClare · 15/04/2025 16:39

Yes it may well sound petty and vindictive. And I’ve not done anything for the reason that that is not my nature.
But i’m angry that someone can have £40k in savings and do nothing, whilst we work full time and have no savings because the cost of living is extortionate. It’s very upsetting actually. And she thinks it’s absolutely fine to do it, to essentially steal from other working people. And lots of people here also seem to think it’s ok, so that’s an interesting reflection of society at present isn’t it.

If she’s got savings they will find out. If she’s on means tested benefits, they will contact her. If the savings aren’t in her name, or her benefits are non means tested, nothing will happen.

Either way, nothing will change your inability to afford what she has.

Quite honestly, I would just try and improve your own situation, and stop fretting about hers.🤷‍♀️

5128gap · 15/04/2025 16:47

Bestfadeplans · 15/04/2025 15:11

No. Its petty and vindictive. Plus pointless and a waste of time if the savings aren't in her name.

Not correct. If they are informed the person had £40k they will ask where its gone. Its not permitted to give it away to your mum in order to claim benefits. At best the person will have to pay back what they've recieved since they had the £40k, at worst they could get prosecuted if it's thought be be deliberate fraud. The OP is in a position to make things incredibly difficult for her relative if she's sufficiently vindictive.

Original poster
ClareClareClareClare · 15/04/2025 16:45

ilovesooty · 15/04/2025 16:42

that is not my nature

What's the difference between the natures of someone who reports it and someone who whinges spitefully on an anonymous forum?

It’s ok to feel angry at fraud of the benefit system. That system is there to protect the vulnerable at their time of need. People with £40k savings taking money they aren’t entitled to are stealing that money from the taxpayer and from those genuinely in need.

OP posts:
Coffeeishot · 15/04/2025 16:42

ClareClareClareClare · 15/04/2025 16:40

Don’t you think benefit fraud impacts the taxpayer?

Show quote history

Not at all,

ilovesooty · 15/04/2025 16:42

that is not my nature

What's the difference between the natures of someone who reports it and someone who whinges spitefully on an anonymous forum?

Original poster
ClareClareClareClare · 15/04/2025 16:42

Swirlythingy2025 · 15/04/2025 15:24

as i understand the finance side of it, the £ could of been put in another persons name then techinally that belongs to them and is their investments

You can’t just hide money like that. Same as trying to avoid care home fees, inheritance etc. you can’t just magic it away to be someone else’s.

OP posts:
BuffetTheDietSlayer · 15/04/2025 16:41

Oh ffs Biscuit

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