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My neighbour is threatening to report me for “benefit fraud”

216 replies

AugustSlippedAwayInto · 06/08/2025 08:39

I’m currently signed off sick from work after an operation last week. My street is full of gossips (to put it nicely) so the entire street knows why I’m off. Brill.

For full disclosure, the relationship with this neighbour is rocky at best. She’s screamed abuse at me and my family in the street before, she watched everyone from her window and films people walking past very regularly.

I decided that I felt well enough for a short walk yesterday, so my mum came over and offered we went. I think we were out for about half an hour, with a break halfway.

This morning as soon as she’s seen I’m up (lights on, curtains open etc) she’s banging on my door saying she’s contacted my work and “the government” to report that I’m “committing fraud”. I’m talking shouting, banging my door so hard I thought she’d break the glass, slapping the front windows. It’s all on the ring camera.

I’m not on SSP, as I get occupational sick pay, and after my walk I slept for three hours! WIBU to just tell her to do one and to leave me alone?

OP posts:
AugustSlippedAwayInto · 06/08/2025 09:08

Coffeeishot · 06/08/2025 09:04

She sounds so unhinged what do the neighbours think of her they must know what she is like? Report her for harassment might take the police a few days to get to it but they should, and never engage with her again don't speak to her don't look.at her. Hopefully she will stop.

I had a neighbour like this she was absolutely nuts and after the police spoke to her she never bothered me again. I was a council. Tenant and she would go to the council if we had weeds in the garden and that was the.tame stuff.

One of my neighbours is ex-police and tried to report her this time last year when she had a particularly bad day of screaming abuse in the street, but nothing ever came of it. I think the police take the view that it's more mental health than their remit.

OP posts:
AugustSlippedAwayInto · 06/08/2025 09:07

x2boys · 06/08/2025 09:05

Well it is because they are all gossiping and know your business.

I've said so many times though, this is normal for where I live. I'm in a small town, we all know each other and look out for each other. We keep an eye on each other and make sure we're all okay, it was lovely during Covid when we all came together to look after one another and get people the help they needed.

OP posts:
spoonbillstretford · 06/08/2025 09:05

AugustSlippedAwayInto · 06/08/2025 09:01

Sounds much like my neighbour. If my family come to visit (including babies) she’s out down the path in an instant, filming us, shouting at us etc

I'd film her, filming you and shouting.

x2boys · 06/08/2025 09:05

AugustSlippedAwayInto · 06/08/2025 08:49

Honestly it’s a touch annoying but also all in good fun - the majority of my neighbours are 80+ year old women who were all widowed a decade ago. Also not really the point of the post 😅

Well it is because they are all gossiping and know your business.

Coffeeishot · 06/08/2025 09:04

She sounds so unhinged what do the neighbours think of her they must know what she is like? Report her for harassment might take the police a few days to get to it but they should, and never engage with her again don't speak to her don't look.at her. Hopefully she will stop.

I had a neighbour like this she was absolutely nuts and after the police spoke to her she never bothered me again. I was a council. Tenant and she would go to the council if we had weeds in the garden and that was the.tame stuff.

clinellwipe · 06/08/2025 09:03

Well done for going on a walk which would help to prevent blood clots after an operation.

she sounds utterly bonkers

Nanny0gg · 06/08/2025 09:02

AugustSlippedAwayInto · 06/08/2025 08:50

I try to capture clips as and when I can. She will come out into her front garden and stare us down whenever we’re out the front, which is totally bizarre.

Phone 101

Awaywiththegnomes · 06/08/2025 09:02

AugustSlippedAwayInto · 06/08/2025 09:00

Yes we’re a small town, everyone knows everyone and looks out for each other. I didn’t want my neighbours to panic if they didn’t see me for a few days! Totally normal where I live

These same neighbours are the “full of gossips” ones?

Awaywiththegnomes · 06/08/2025 09:02

Op you’re not receiving benefits

So who is she supposedly planning to report you to?

AugustSlippedAwayInto · 06/08/2025 09:01

BeMellowAquaSquid · 06/08/2025 08:59

Definitely report to 101 a friend of mine her neighbour was filming people walking past, including children, screaming abuse, spreading hate and just generally being a nuisance and she was arrested for harassment.

Sounds much like my neighbour. If my family come to visit (including babies) she’s out down the path in an instant, filming us, shouting at us etc

OP posts:
AugustSlippedAwayInto · 06/08/2025 09:01

BeMellowAquaSquid · 06/08/2025 08:59

Definitely report to 101 a friend of mine her neighbour was filming people walking past, including children, screaming abuse, spreading hate and just generally being a nuisance and she was arrested for harassment.

Sounds much like my neighbour. If my family come to visit (including babies) she’s out down the path in an instant, filming us, shouting at us etc

OP posts:
AugustSlippedAwayInto · 06/08/2025 09:00

Gasp0deTheW0nderD0g · 06/08/2025 08:59

Sounds very like the street my Mum lives in. Everybody knows everyone else. Thank goodness for that, given that my Mum is 92, housebound and 400 miles from me (she and Dad chose to retire to a remote place rather than somewhere closer to my brother or me). It doesn't sound like our street, but we know quite a lot about our neighbours even so.

Yes we’re a small town, everyone knows everyone and looks out for each other. I didn’t want my neighbours to panic if they didn’t see me for a few days! Totally normal where I live

OP posts:
ellie09 · 06/08/2025 09:00

You tell her, "stop bothering me please while I am recovering. If you want to report it, you go ahead."

If she continues to harass you after this, you call the police.

Even if she was to report, nothing is going to happen.

BeMellowAquaSquid · 06/08/2025 08:59

Definitely report to 101 a friend of mine her neighbour was filming people walking past, including children, screaming abuse, spreading hate and just generally being a nuisance and she was arrested for harassment.

Gasp0deTheW0nderD0g · 06/08/2025 08:59

Awaywiththegnomes · 06/08/2025 08:47

So streets like this exist?? Utterly alien to anywhere I have ever lived

as for your question, let her

Sounds very like the street my Mum lives in. Everybody knows everyone else. Thank goodness for that, given that my Mum is 92, housebound and 400 miles from me (she and Dad chose to retire to a remote place rather than somewhere closer to my brother or me). It doesn't sound like our street, but we know quite a lot about our neighbours even so.

Awaywiththegnomes · 06/08/2025 08:58

You’re not getting benefits though?

You are being paid whilst on sick leave

Awaywiththegnomes · 06/08/2025 08:56

AugustSlippedAwayInto · 06/08/2025 08:49

Honestly it’s a touch annoying but also all in good fun - the majority of my neighbours are 80+ year old women who were all widowed a decade ago. Also not really the point of the post 😅

You say your street is “full of gossips”

So if you don’t want your health gossiped about…. Wait for it…. Keep it to yourself 🤷♀️

gamerchick · 06/08/2025 08:56

Pop down to your local station and show them the footage. Ask them if they would have a word with her. Sometimes a stern word from police is enough.

summerskyblue · 06/08/2025 08:55

Report her to the police for harassment.

It sounds like she has mental health issues and could be a danger to herself and others.

Safxxx · 06/08/2025 08:55

Walking is good for recovery so try to stay active,I'm sure your work won't expect you to be bed bound 24/7
Download & save the recording from ring door bell and show the police what she's capable of, she's a nutcase.

Vintagenow · 06/08/2025 08:54

How on earth do your neighbours know your private medical affairs? You must have told them I presume. Given you know they are gossips maybe keep that information to yourself in future.
I'd report the neighbour for harassment.

Driedupandleft · 06/08/2025 08:53

AugustSlippedAwayInto · 06/08/2025 08:39

I’m currently signed off sick from work after an operation last week. My street is full of gossips (to put it nicely) so the entire street knows why I’m off. Brill.

For full disclosure, the relationship with this neighbour is rocky at best. She’s screamed abuse at me and my family in the street before, she watched everyone from her window and films people walking past very regularly.

I decided that I felt well enough for a short walk yesterday, so my mum came over and offered we went. I think we were out for about half an hour, with a break halfway.

This morning as soon as she’s seen I’m up (lights on, curtains open etc) she’s banging on my door saying she’s contacted my work and “the government” to report that I’m “committing fraud”. I’m talking shouting, banging my door so hard I thought she’d break the glass, slapping the front windows. It’s all on the ring camera.

I’m not on SSP, as I get occupational sick pay, and after my walk I slept for three hours! WIBU to just tell her to do one and to leave me alone?

Unless you want to throw fuel on the fire and have an all out war with this woman then don't engage AT ALL!!! Can't you see that's what she wants? She wants a reason to have a fight so don't give her one.
Just call the police and log it. If she comes round again, don't answer the door, just call the police.....

AugustSlippedAwayInto · 06/08/2025 08:50

Typicalwave · 06/08/2025 08:48

Ring or similar doorbells can be very useful for gathering evidence for harassment and stalking

I try to capture clips as and when I can. She will come out into her front garden and stare us down whenever we’re out the front, which is totally bizarre.

OP posts:
Handrearedmagpie · 06/08/2025 08:50

I would absolutely call the police about this. How dare she harass you like this in your own home.

GCAcademic · 06/08/2025 08:49

Typicalwave · 06/08/2025 08:48

Ring or similar doorbells can be very useful for gathering evidence for harassment and stalking

This is a good tip. You need to be building up evidence and contact the police.

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