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AIBU?

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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:
Anothercoat · 15/04/2025 19:29

Hastentoadd · 15/04/2025 19:24

So I suppose you also think suspect fraudulent behaviour shouldn’t be reported or is it just suspect benefit fraud shouldn’t be reported?

How on earth did you reach that conclusion from my post? I pointed out the OP is jealous. You said she wasn’t, and I pointed out that she clearly and definitively is, and from that you extrapolate that I’m pro-fraud? How?

Vworried1 · 15/04/2025 19:29

This is mumsnet so :

-Mind your own business if someone is committing benefit fraud
-No one on benefits ever fakes it and people who work don’t have any problems in comparison to those on benefits
-It’s not true anyone could have thousands and thousands or a lead a relatively luxurious life on benefits , that’s just a myth apparently.
-It doesn’t matter if you, as a worker ,have an objectively harder life than someone who claims benefits . Their life is automatically harder I am afraid. Sorry 😔.

narcASD · 15/04/2025 19:27

This is where Mumsnet really pisses me off, it’s always a pile on the person who wants to report it, the person who has morales and is honest.

It is not vindictive if a suspicion of fraud is made, it is the decent thing to do. If the person has nothing to hide then it’s not an issue.

can bet your life the Mumsnet reaction to reporting a different address for a school place is completely justified, but when it comes to reporting benefit fraud it’s a different response entirely.

BlessedBeTheGroot · 15/04/2025 19:27

ClareClareClareClare · 15/04/2025 19:24

They are taking from the system. Others suffer for it.

I don't get less UC cos of piss takers. That is not how it works. If the piss takers were taken to account and charged, I would also not get more money as a result.

Anothercoat · 15/04/2025 19:26

Coffeeishot · 15/04/2025 19:25

Fingers crossed it's HA then we would have a "full house"

I’m hoping for a 4* immigrant hotel with free smartphone.

pointythings · 15/04/2025 19:26

Hastentoadd · 15/04/2025 19:24

So I suppose you also think suspect fraudulent behaviour shouldn’t be reported or is it just suspect benefit fraud shouldn’t be reported?

There's a difference. In the case of criminal fraud, the police don't stop your source of income. There's also a presumption of innocence.

Honestly, if you can't see that you really need to educate yourself.

Hastentoadd · 15/04/2025 19:26

MummytoE · 15/04/2025 19:23

@ClareClareClareClare I would report, let them investigate it. Maybe they will find something, maybe they won't. If the situation is as you say it is then it really isn't fair on the people who really need support

Agree, I have also said something similar earlier

ShanghaiDiva · 15/04/2025 19:26

ClareClareClareClare · 15/04/2025 19:19

It’s not fair.
It’s not fair if you claim something you’re not entitled to.
It’s not fair to take money from others that you’re not entitled to.

But what does that have to do with the comment about the gym. It’s irrelevant, but does highlight your personal feeling of jealousy. As I have said on numerous occasions report her. You claim to be 100% confident she has hidden 40k. Why are you posting on here and not phoning DWP?

Coffeeishot · 15/04/2025 19:25

Anothercoat · 15/04/2025 19:24

Uber rich pensioners still living in rental accommodation…

Fingers crossed it's HA then we would have a "full house"

Anothercoat · 15/04/2025 19:25

ClareClareClareClare · 15/04/2025 19:24

They are taking from the system. Others suffer for it.

How? Please explain, banking it up with actual figures.

The weight of the benefits burden on the taxpayer isn’t caused by the tiny amount of fraudulent cases.

Hastentoadd · 15/04/2025 19:24

Anothercoat · 15/04/2025 19:22

That’s literally the definition of jealousy. “Resentment at the perceived advantage of another.”

Ffs

So I suppose you also think suspect fraudulent behaviour shouldn’t be reported or is it just suspect benefit fraud shouldn’t be reported?

Anothercoat · 15/04/2025 19:24

Coffeeishot · 15/04/2025 19:23

You can't hide private pensions, and his pensions might be tiny. But we won't let that get in the way about talking about. Uber rich pensioners.

Uber rich pensioners still living in rental accommodation…

ClareClareClareClare · 15/04/2025 19:24

Anothercoat · 15/04/2025 19:21

There we have it.

They are not taking anything from you. You’re just envious.

They are taking from the system. Others suffer for it.

OP posts:
Coffeeishot · 15/04/2025 19:23

lindyloo57 · 15/04/2025 19:15

My next door neighbour is 82 and boasts all the time about how he doesn't pay council tax and his rent is payed as he claimed pension credit , but tells us he has a private pensions he hides .

You can't hide private pensions, and his pensions might be tiny. But we won't let that get in the way about talking about. Uber rich pensioners.

MummytoE · 15/04/2025 19:23

@ClareClareClareClare I would report, let them investigate it. Maybe they will find something, maybe they won't. If the situation is as you say it is then it really isn't fair on the people who really need support

uncomfortablydumb60 · 15/04/2025 19:23

Another ignorant poster unaware to understand that claimants are individuals with vastly different conditions
Educate yourself

ToKittyornottoKitty · 15/04/2025 19:23

ClareClareClareClare · 15/04/2025 19:20

Can’t you read?

Did you say you don’t know if she is claiming PIP?

pointythings · 15/04/2025 19:23

Hastentoadd · 15/04/2025 19:19

whether you want that on your conscience if it turns out you have reported someone who has done absolutely nothing wrong

Sounds like you are guilt tripping someone who suspects fraudulent behaviour into not reporting it

No, I am suggesting that they should consider all the potential consequences. Which is something everyone should do before taking drastic action. It's common sense and basic decency.

You on the other hand seem keen to believe that people with physical ill health and disabilities cannot possibly go to the gym, which shows an astonishing level of ignorance. Your advice on this thread is therefore of limited usefulness.

DogPawsMud · 15/04/2025 19:23

In the real world most people don’t suppprt fraud. Of any type, including defrauding the benefits system (= tax payers = all of us).
On MN there is a weird dissonance on this subject. I don’t know why. But MN is not the real world.

ShanghaiDiva · 15/04/2025 19:22

ClareClareClareClare · 15/04/2025 19:20

Can’t you read?

well you said yourself you didn’t know if she was claiming pip so it’s a reasonable comment.
you seem a little defensive, bordering on rude

Anothercoat · 15/04/2025 19:22

Hastentoadd · 15/04/2025 19:20

That’s not evidence of jealousy, that’s demonstrating the unfairness of it

That’s literally the definition of jealousy. “Resentment at the perceived advantage of another.”

Ffs

ClareClareClareClare · 15/04/2025 19:22

lindyloo57 · 15/04/2025 19:15

My next door neighbour is 82 and boasts all the time about how he doesn't pay council tax and his rent is payed as he claimed pension credit , but tells us he has a private pensions he hides .

This is so wrong though.
Irrespective of age, if he’s got a decent income he shouldn’t be claiming what’s not his. There are other families struggling on the bones of their arse while some abuse the system.
Being 82 is no excuse.

OP posts:
BlueTitShark · 15/04/2025 19:22

ClareClareClareClare · 15/04/2025 19:05

I don’t know if she qualifies for pip. She’s always been one of those people who has a lot of moans but no diagnosis. But she always presents as very able to do everything that I do, she’s never struggled to keep up.

That doesn’t matter,
PIP is about the limitations you have in your daily life, not your diagnosis.

To qualify for health related UC support, you need to have been evaluated. Not easy.
She migut be on ESA which doesn’t require you to have savings under £6/16k.
She might have used the money to repay her mortgage/do essential repairs to her house etc…. All of which is allowed under UC conditions. You have 1 year to do so.

ilovesooty · 15/04/2025 19:22

lindyloo57 · 15/04/2025 19:15

My next door neighbour is 82 and boasts all the time about how he doesn't pay council tax and his rent is payed as he claimed pension credit , but tells us he has a private pensions he hides .

I can't imagine how he hides a private pension. If that comes to light he'll have to pay back his pension credit and any tax he owes.

Anothercoat · 15/04/2025 19:21

ClareClareClareClare · 15/04/2025 19:19

It’s not fair.
It’s not fair if you claim something you’re not entitled to.
It’s not fair to take money from others that you’re not entitled to.

There we have it.

They are not taking anything from you. You’re just envious.