To be angry that a mutual friend is committing benefit fraud!

Quite.

I briefly worked in this area.

We are as a rule, private people when it comes to finances. People don’t like to admit that they have done well financially, or admit that they struggle. Many will say all kinds of stuff to avoid nosy friends and neighbours understanding their true finances.

Many cases of ‘benefit fraud’ are not fraud at all.

People often report others who are not even claiming benefits! Some allude to UC claims when they actually don’t claim UC. The family is reported as their lifestyle seems ‘too lavish’, and when investigated, they are not claiming UC because they have significant savings and or financial help from family. Case closed.

In other cases, reporting happens because the nosy neighbour does not realise that the taciturn son of the lady living at the house next door has multiple hidden disabilities and she is his full time carer. Some claimants are good at putting on a brave face to the neighbours, but actually, their situation is genuinely very challenging and they are in fact entitled to what they receive.

Then OP should report it. What does starting a thread on here achieve?

People saying that benefit fraudsters don't give out this level detail are missing a fundamental point. A lot of people are a bit dumb. They don't actually think about the consequences of their actions and think it's a very normal thing to do and everyone else is doing it. So to them it's not anything to be concerned about talking openly about committing fraud.

Then throw in the 'go and chase Amazon' argument and they're normalising criminal behaviour as morally justifiable. It's theft whichever way you slice it or try to dress it up.

What they don't realise is it is behaviour that will land you in very hot water legally and is actually damaging the country. It's getting easier and easier to detect and is really just a matter of time before you're caught out.

People who deserve benefits should get them. But not those that are fiddling the system.

Like all of the homeless people earning thousands of pounds per week from begging that are on rather good terms with Daily Fail/Torygraph readers and journos.

Its not benefit bashing! Its fraud.....and is a real issue......

I had a plumber who I had only just met proudly tell me he wanted cash in hand as ‘I pay some tax but prefer to keep most of it out of the system’.

Do both. Chase Amazon and clamp down on benefit fraud. It's not binary.

Problem solved.

People who think this is a normal thing to do openly talk about it

Yes, they absolutely do. As a PP, I know self employed people who literally brag about not paying/avoiding tax. It's called perception of risk and people assume they just wont be caught or that the law doesnt apply to them.

The idea that everyone who commits benefit fraud is some kind of criminal mastermind is laughable. Some people really are just that stupid.

People who think this is a normal thing to do openly talk about it. When I was in the maternity ward women (strangers to each other) were talking across the room about it, giving advice on how not to get caught. This was years ago, there has been a massive tightening up and cross linking between agencies now. On income support you never had to show a bank statement, UC aims to do 6 monthly reviews where you have to submit bank statements for the previous 4 months, and following that they can request years worth. If a couple are living together and not taking extreme measures, they will be caught sooner rather than later.

Such presumptions, from that deluded poster.

Not the same as benefits but DH has lots of friends who are self employed tradesmen who admit to not paying anywhere near as much tax as they should.

"I’m afraid OP, most people on here won’t believe you, or will tell you it’s ok to commit be benefit because…cue a load of whataboutery. Because they condone benefit fraud. Wonder why. Someone should look into these people’s own benefit claims."

Here we go.

Report them.

So we are supposed to believe that someone randomly shared their entire financial situation with you including the fact that they were cheating the benefit system when in comes to savings & living together?

I am putting this in my "it never happened" benefit bashing pile...

I’m afraid OP, most people on here won’t believe you, or will tell you it’s ok to commit be benefit because…cue a load of whataboutery. Because they condone benefit fraud. Wonder why. Someone should look into these people’s own benefit claims.

Report them.

Yes, unreal! All 4 parents, at soft play, for a playdate, and having such a riveting conversation.🙄

Because they are stupid.

It's not like stupidity is super rare is it? 🤣

Give it time

She can't have the savings because bank accounts are monitored. Banks now have the legal duty to report anyone on UC who have over-the-threasehold savings. So if he has them and she's declared herself legally single, she could get dropped on her arse at any point. Also he's using someone's address. Her work focused interviews will be starting soon. That might make them rethink.

Hardly

Because most people dont report it!!! Its low. Especially if you come on mumsnet you get told to mind your own

And in todays benefit bashing thread...

Yes, it’s almost unbelievable! No one I know shares their personal finances with me, I feel left out.

The DWP will find out about the savings in due course through electronic checks and then your friend will be in big trouble.

IF this is a true story.