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How to actually get authorities to take action on benefit frauds

354 replies

Hattieandcake · 23/01/2026 21:49

Examples reported and nothing done -

  • someone taking cash in hand for dogs - evidence sent online of cash only sales and also including social media showing lifestyle and purchase
  • someone who is lying that they are single having a partner living at their government address with ring footage available that they live their permanently - also taking cash in hand jobs - evident on footage
  • someone putting their SAHM wife on payroll to reduce income claimed - no work done for the business

These are only 2 of many and nothing is done, I am sick to death of it.

OP posts:
inthecornersofmymind · 24/01/2026 08:16

You come across as very hateful and unhappy; you should focus on your own affairs and stop being so involved in others' lives.

Theonlywayicanloveyou · 24/01/2026 08:16

BeanQuisine · 24/01/2026 07:42

Possibly the authorities have decided that so much "information" churned out by one individual, reporting so many of her neighbours, is unlikely to be credible.

Great point

Theonlywayicanloveyou · 24/01/2026 08:14

a) how do know that no action was taken
b) in all of these examples you have no idea of the specific circumstances eg cash payments may still be being declared on tax returns. There are huge numbers of people in this situation and it’s one of the reason that the making tax digital software is an issue that HMRC faces in the coming years as the quarterly return requirement idrops down to lower income thresholds and those with more ad hoc work , and how do you know the wife is doing no work for that business. You literally have no idea if you don’t work for that business yourself.

If you spend your days assuming the worst in others it will only lead to a bitter, miserable life. Time is all we have. My advice is to get into therapy and make an active choice not to spend it like this.

dottiedodah · 24/01/2026 08:13

I dont know ,you are probably right .Something though doesnt sit right with reporting people somehow.Even if they are caught it isnt necessarily reported as such.I am always a little sceptical of how much money each government has.Probably a bit more than we think!We have worked all our lives and paid taxes .However it seems a little "snitchy" to me

Skybunnee · 24/01/2026 08:05

I think there's levels. I wouldn't feel animosity towards someone doing a bit of cash in hand work on the side to make ends meet.

One mans bit of cash in hand is another’s 3 foreign cruises a year (local casual gardener). Ridiculous to assume nontaxed income is pin money. Its 20% more than taxpayers income to start with

Itsmetheflamingo · 24/01/2026 08:05

Skybunnee · 24/01/2026 08:02

At the moment Govs are robbing working people to pay benefits and nhs. Soon that will not work as tax increases won’t cover it - services will just continue to deteriorate

I feel more like I’m robbed to keep old people who deprived the state of their assets in care homes than I am by fraudulent benefit claims

there are more unclaimed benefits than the estimated value of benefit Fraud.

Skybunnee · 24/01/2026 08:02

At the moment Govs are robbing working people to pay benefits and nhs. Soon that will not work as tax increases won’t cover it - services will just continue to deteriorate

Periperi2025 · 24/01/2026 07:49
  1. Dogs - breeding puppies has significant overheads, my understanding is that you can side hustle up the £1k a year before having to do a SATR, if they are a couple, that is £2k between them. You wouldn't need to be particularly creative or fraudulent for one or two litters of puppies a year to write the tax off in that case
  1. Report away, my understanding is the council takes this pretty seriously. But don't expect to hear an outcome, confidentially exists for a reason!
  1. You don't know that she isn't contributing to the business, it is none of your business. Even PAYE you can use married couples tax allowance (or whatever it is called) to offset tax bills, so even if she only works a small amount it's not significant fraud, and again none of your business to know the details.
BeanQuisine · 24/01/2026 07:42

Possibly the authorities have decided that so much "information" churned out by one individual, reporting so many of her neighbours, is unlikely to be credible.

Kimura · 24/01/2026 07:39

FerrisWheelsandLilacs · 24/01/2026 07:15

I’m usually a big fan of reporting people, and hate the negative attitudes towards “snitches” on here and in the wider world, but other than the joint claim one these feel a bit of a stretch.

It’s rare for a SAHM to do no work for the family business in my experience. Maybe he’s paying her for childcare so he can work - it is taxable, she just earns under the tax threshold so doesn’t need to pay tax.

Unless you know the dogs for cash is benefit fraud, it’s perfectly fine to accept cash only in you business.

I’m usually a big fan of reporting people, and hate the negative attitudes towards “snitches” on here and in the wider world

I think there's levels. I wouldn't feel animosity towards someone doing a bit of cash in hand work on the side to make ends meet.

I'd feel differently about someone deliberately setting out to defraud the system by, say, faking a disability to obtain housing/benefits.

Thewonderfuleveryday · 24/01/2026 07:30

They can't even shut down blatant money laundering shops that are starting them in the face. I doubt they have the resources to start picking through the finances of small personal businesses.

Itsmetheflamingo · 24/01/2026 07:30

Barrenfieldoffucks · 24/01/2026 07:20

This is massively common, how is this a benefit fraud?

It’s not benefit fraud, it’s tax evasion. It’s not as common as it used to be, it’s so obvious it’s been easy for HMRC to crack down on and it’s also not as beneficial financially nowadays.

luckylavender · 24/01/2026 07:20

OonaStubbs · 23/01/2026 21:56

Benefits fraud is everyone's business.

100% this

Barrenfieldoffucks · 24/01/2026 07:20

Hattieandcake · 23/01/2026 22:14

The SAHM openly says she’s on the payroll
to bring down tax costs, just can’t believe people
can commit fraud in plain sight with no consequences it’s just so depressing.

This is massively common, how is this a benefit fraud?

Alexevers · 24/01/2026 07:18

What are people’s best tips or recommendations for keeping carpets and sofas clean in Birmingham? Especially for high-traffic areas and pet stains. Interested to hear what’s worked well for others.

Pricelessadvice · 24/01/2026 07:16

I think people have their head in the sand about the amount of benefit fraud happening. Especially people on this forum.

FerrisWheelsandLilacs · 24/01/2026 07:15

I’m usually a big fan of reporting people, and hate the negative attitudes towards “snitches” on here and in the wider world, but other than the joint claim one these feel a bit of a stretch.

It’s rare for a SAHM to do no work for the family business in my experience. Maybe he’s paying her for childcare so he can work - it is taxable, she just earns under the tax threshold so doesn’t need to pay tax.

Unless you know the dogs for cash is benefit fraud, it’s perfectly fine to accept cash only in you business.

Kimura · 24/01/2026 07:12

LilyBunch25 · 24/01/2026 06:53

I really do think there are some laws being broken here if that ring doorbell is capturing so much on someone else's property....because if it is it definitely isn't being used for its proper purpose.

This. What people assume is 'proof' and what actually constitutes legally admissable evidence can be very far apart.

beAsensible1 · 24/01/2026 07:00

LilyBunch25 · 24/01/2026 06:53

I really do think there are some laws being broken here if that ring doorbell is capturing so much on someone else's property....because if it is it definitely isn't being used for its proper purpose.

It’s illegal.

beAsensible1 · 24/01/2026 06:59

Where are you getting this camera footage?
you are only allowed to be filming your doorstep 1. If it’s others footage you don’t own then that’s likely illegal.

you wouldn't know if they’re investigating anything. They won’t tell you. It’s not your business.

Itsmetheflamingo · 24/01/2026 06:57

VeterinaryCareAssistant · 24/01/2026 06:55

Your child's TA? The staff at your child's nursery? The cleaners / canteen workers at your office?

I mean these are jobs you’ve guessed I am receiving the benefit of in my life. I don’t know anyone who does them.

Kimura · 24/01/2026 06:56

HerNeighbourTotoro · 24/01/2026 06:27

Maybe start looking into corporate tax evasion first.

I completely agree with the point you're making, but at the same time I don't think it's unreasonable for people to get more emotionally invested in issues closer to home. If someone was angry about people selling heroin outside their house, we wouldn't tell them to start looking into the gangs that import it from Europe first.

If you're surviving on benefits, or working all hours and still struggling to get by, it must range from infuriating to upsetting to live opposite someone openly defrauding the system and seemingly being rewarded for it.

There's a lot to be said for minding your own business, but when it's happening on your doorstep it might not be that easy.

VeterinaryCareAssistant · 24/01/2026 06:55

Itsmetheflamingo · 23/01/2026 22:20

well that’s not exactly unusual. I don’t even know anyone who claims UC

Your child's TA? The staff at your child's nursery? The cleaners / canteen workers at your office?

Itsmetheflamingo · 24/01/2026 06:54

Ladyymuck · 24/01/2026 06:46

Why would an employment lawyer be involved in a divorce case. Doesn’t ring true.

Also imagine paying £50k to get in front of a judge only to have a (employment?) lawyer “show them receipts” about how you used your wife to evade tax 😂 what difference would that make to a divorce? Wife says “I don’t need spousal maintenance I’ve got a job working for your company” husband OH YES YOU DO AND OH NO YOU DON’T 😂

LilyBunch25 · 24/01/2026 06:53

shouldofgotamortage · 24/01/2026 06:51

You sound like a stalker, why are you collecting evidence on your ring doorbell for two years?! Honestly get a fucking life. Creepy.

I really do think there are some laws being broken here if that ring doorbell is capturing so much on someone else's property....because if it is it definitely isn't being used for its proper purpose.

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