If you knew someone was committing benefit fraud would you report them?

[Chloefairydust]

If you knew of someone who was committing benefit fraud, and had been for the past 7 years would you report them? Let’s say for example this person has been bragging about claiming benefits (I’m assuming child benefits and universal tax benefit, potentially benefits toward housing too) during this time and hasn’t declared assets that she has in that she actually owns a house she shared with her ex. She’s been bragging about seeing a solicitor who’s told her she’s owed a substantial amount of money from having her name on the mortgage while saying shes thinking of a way to claim the money from the house without alerting the benefits people (she also bragged about how she never payed a penny towards the bills or mortgage when she lived with said ex, she seemed quite smug by the thought of getting her hands on his hard earned cash🤨) … I was quite shocked and didn’t want to judge but it just didn’t seem morally right to me… If it makes any difference she’s not worked in about 6 years either with no interest in getting a job 😕

Is this benefit fraud? And what is the moral thing to do here? turn a blind eye and accept she’s claiming money she’s not entitled to? Or to report? I have never reported anyone for anything, and I try really hard not to judge other people, so I’m struggling morally with what’s the right thing to do now…

Would she be in lots of trouble or would she just get the benefits stopped? What would you do?

I would report them yes

This is so true and as far as I can see the first time which this has been suggested on the whole thread. You don't need to report her to hold her accountable, just say to her "what you are planning to do isn't right, you should really consider not doing this in case you get caught". Your automatic jump to reporting her indicates you DO want to get her in trouble.

is this person a friend of yours? And have you heard this information first hand? Or is it just something you’ve heard other people gossiping about.

it doesn’t sound like she actually is doing anything fraudulent right now, so I’d keep my nose out and not ruin that poor kid’s Christmas. You clearly know nothing at all about the benefits system so my advice would be to stay well out.

OP, if you're even considering reporting her, make sure you are 100% that it's true.

Because, if not, an innocent persons life could be turned upside down and into pieces whilst they investigate this. Everything will be stopped for her. It isn't fair

Go get angry at the top instead.

Also worth noting that Women's prisons in the UK just put them all together, regardless of crime

Someone who's stolen a few thousands from benefit fraud will be put in with someone who's caused sexual assaults, attempted murder, etc

Property is disregarded until the asset is sold- it’s pointless hiding it from the benefit agency, at the moment she would still be entitled to benefit.

I’m very surprised- astounded that the BA don’t already know about the property- wasn’t she liable for council tax there?
They would be able to see she wasn’t renting it….

She will not go to jail… 🙄it’s a very easy thing to check out.

The BA will request a land reg, she will either be listed as the owner in which case they’ll write to her and ask if she’s failed to mention when entering her claim (she will still be entitled) until the property is sold.

i would warn her that i was worried
but i wouldnt report her

I don't think it's as black and white as others on this thread are making out. I know someone who was in a similar situation, where some family friends were claiming benefits (the woman had said she was a single mother with 5 kids - they were a happily married couple and he had a reasonably good job that paid well, but had registered his address elsewhere). One thing that really irked my friends was that they were living in local authority housing under this pretence, whilst another friend of theirs who really was a single mum with a toddler they had no space for. This family were going on holidays every year costing thousands of pounds, driving brand new cars, spending fortunes on Christmas etc.
They got found out in the end and are now in a dreadful situation. They didn't go to prison (I presume because of the children?) but they have to pay it back. It's such a huge risk! I can't believe people would take it when they've got young children.

Scaremongering.

Yes because I'm sick to death of working full time, paying childcare, struggling monthly and seeing lazy selfish people claiming for things they aren't entitled to!

See here for details of various women's prisons and their categories.

No they're not just all "put together regardless of their crime" 🙄

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:Women%27sprisonssinEngland

You've linked a list of prisons? Nothing else.

That link doesn't suggest a thing about different categories

Those are usually men's prisons. Women DO end up in prisons that have very serious offences other than for financial crimes

Unfortunately a lot of people do do it, and our country is in the state that it's in! 😂

To be honest I probably wouldn't report it because it will be a drop in the ocean.

Instead, you could write to your MP about concerns over how easy it is to claim benefits you are not entitled to. It's the system that needs changing. If people can get away with these things then they will.

@tranquiltortoise it isn't easy to claim benefits you're not entitled to.

I have a severely disabled child - I've had to fight tooth and nail for disability benefits for example, for him. Despite all the evidence they still took it to tribunal. I won. But they put me through hell before that

Please think before you write to your MP claiming it's 'easy' to claim benefits

You've linked a list of prisons? Nothing else.

I genuinely thought you'd be able to click on the links and work out the various categories for yourself. People really do expect to be spoon fed and chin wiped on SM at times.

Lol, you think it's okay to let someone steal tax payers money? Don't be so rude as to call this person 'pathetic' for asking an honest question.

Absolutely.

This. While the rich people employ accountants to help them keep more money in their pockets. Honestly I am not going to be helping by reporting anybody for suspected benefit fraud.

Yes I absolutely would. If half the people claiming fraudulently were grassed in the benefits system would be more able to support those who really need it. Why should we all work and pay for these wasters to sit at home.

I agree with you. Keep up the hard work.

Depends on the circumstances. If someone was getting a bit more than they were entitled to but was in genuine need and was otherwise living an honest life I'd turn a blind eye, but I have reported someone who was claiming a need to social housing and benefits when I knew they owned a property and was renting it out to someone else.
It's my taxes going towards funding this and I struggle too so...
Even if I didn't report, I don't think I could stay friends with that person.

I reallly really really hope that they slip up and release your details to her so she knows what a coward you are.

Find something else to do with your time

No, I wouldn't.

Firstly because you can never know someone's exact circumstances and secondly fuck the government. They're not exactly truthful or honest, are they?

Your first consideration should be looking out for yourself (and your family's) wellbeing.

If you report this person, could they easily deduce it was you? Would they make life difficult for you? Would you feel bad if they were actually innocent and you put them through hell in an investigation? Alternatively, would you feel bad if they were guilty and they were heavily fined and ended up destitute?

You need to consider all the outcomes before deciding to report. To put a personal spin on this, an extended family member has some rather "odd" benefit circumstances. We would never report (not that we have any proof anyway) as the fallout for the person would badly impact not just themselves but also their young children.