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Original poster

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

190 replies

Chloefairydust · 08/10/2022 01:07

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?

OP posts:
Original poster
Chloefairydust · 08/10/2022 16:01

Wow I’m surprised by how many people are ok about people who commit benefit fraud. I just see this as morally wrong, when people are taking money out of the benefit pot so to speak that they are not entitled to… My parents are disabled and on benefits, however just think of the amount of tax payers money must be stolen each year from people playing the system. I mean that has to cause some sort of damage to the economy and potentially in the long run to people who actually are entitled to the benefits and do rely on them…

This persons partner who lives with her earns a generous wage and she is far from struggling. She also has the education to be in a particular job which is also a very generous wage. However she chooses not to. She made it clear to me that the benefits people also know nothing about her assets and that she was planning ways to hide a large sum of money she will be getting soon from the house, she has no intention of declaring it (I don’t know the ins and outs of how, I assume they will be able to see her bank accounts 🤨) She lives very comfortably.

Saying that, I’m really surprised that people can go to prison for benefit fraud… I mean it seems a bit harsh for the crime…

OP posts:
Pumperthepumper · 08/10/2022 16:02

Chloefairydust · 08/10/2022 16:01

Wow I’m surprised by how many people are ok about people who commit benefit fraud. I just see this as morally wrong, when people are taking money out of the benefit pot so to speak that they are not entitled to… My parents are disabled and on benefits, however just think of the amount of tax payers money must be stolen each year from people playing the system. I mean that has to cause some sort of damage to the economy and potentially in the long run to people who actually are entitled to the benefits and do rely on them…

This persons partner who lives with her earns a generous wage and she is far from struggling. She also has the education to be in a particular job which is also a very generous wage. However she chooses not to. She made it clear to me that the benefits people also know nothing about her assets and that she was planning ways to hide a large sum of money she will be getting soon from the house, she has no intention of declaring it (I don’t know the ins and outs of how, I assume they will be able to see her bank accounts 🤨) She lives very comfortably.

Saying that, I’m really surprised that people can go to prison for benefit fraud… I mean it seems a bit harsh for the crime…

I’m totally fine with it. I might change my mind if we ever get to a position where very, very wealthy people are paying an appropriate amount of tax but I suspect we’re a while off that. Did you see the graph posted upthread? Benefits claimants, real or otherwise, are not the bad guys here.

AirborneSnail · 08/10/2022 16:06

You cannot know for sure that what you suspect is actually happening. Any number of different scenarios could be happening. Put your energy into something else.

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about this subject:

Benefits
Original poster
Chloefairydust · 08/10/2022 16:31

Pumperthepumper · 08/10/2022 16:02

I’m totally fine with it. I might change my mind if we ever get to a position where very, very wealthy people are paying an appropriate amount of tax but I suspect we’re a while off that. Did you see the graph posted upthread? Benefits claimants, real or otherwise, are not the bad guys here.

Show quote history

Call me old fashioned but have always been taught 2 wrongs don’t make a right. Just because there’s tax evasion going on (which I agree is wrong and shouldn’t happen) still doesn’t make it ok for people to be lying about their circumstances to the benefits people.

OP posts:
Pumperthepumper · 08/10/2022 16:35

Chloefairydust · 08/10/2022 16:31

Call me old fashioned but have always been taught 2 wrongs don’t make a right. Just because there’s tax evasion going on (which I agree is wrong and shouldn’t happen) still doesn’t make it ok for people to be lying about their circumstances to the benefits people.

Show quote history

If your house was on fire and then the fire spread to your wheely bin, which one would you care more about?

YumYummy · 08/10/2022 16:56

Yes I would and yes I have.

LaDamaDeElche · 08/10/2022 17:02

Saying that, I’m really surprised that people can go to prison for benefit fraud… I mean it seems a bit harsh for the crime And that's what you have to weigh up before you make that call. The fact that a family could lose their mother for a period of time and the massive distress and fallout that would cause. I don't know about you, but I'm not into destroying peoples lives like that.

toobusytothink · 08/10/2022 17:05

No. Never.

TheRubyRedshoes · 08/10/2022 17:08

No not in this case? And I assume she's from UK and has paid into the system?.

If it was foreign nationals in set up to rob UK yes. I would.
Not in this case I wouldn't as unpleasant as it may feel to you.

Mammed · 08/10/2022 17:15

Chloefairydust · 08/10/2022 16:01

Wow I’m surprised by how many people are ok about people who commit benefit fraud. I just see this as morally wrong, when people are taking money out of the benefit pot so to speak that they are not entitled to… My parents are disabled and on benefits, however just think of the amount of tax payers money must be stolen each year from people playing the system. I mean that has to cause some sort of damage to the economy and potentially in the long run to people who actually are entitled to the benefits and do rely on them…

This persons partner who lives with her earns a generous wage and she is far from struggling. She also has the education to be in a particular job which is also a very generous wage. However she chooses not to. She made it clear to me that the benefits people also know nothing about her assets and that she was planning ways to hide a large sum of money she will be getting soon from the house, she has no intention of declaring it (I don’t know the ins and outs of how, I assume they will be able to see her bank accounts 🤨) She lives very comfortably.

Saying that, I’m really surprised that people can go to prison for benefit fraud… I mean it seems a bit harsh for the crime…

I wouldn't say I'm fine with it, I do think it's wrong but at the same time it's not directly hurting anyone in the long term.
If everyone on UC who claimed as a single parent whilst having a working partner living with them stopped claiming then it wouldn't raise the benefits or cut the taxes for everyone else, it would barely make a dent in the financial budget.

I couldn't live with myself if I sent a mother or father to prison when I could've just turned a blind eye. It'd ruin their life for something that's completely irrelevant in the grand scheme of things.

YumYummy · 08/10/2022 17:25

I am surprised at these answers.

Florenz · 08/10/2022 17:28

I would report without a doubt, benefit fraudsters give other benefit claimants a bad name. Benefits should be there for people who need them.

Lu901 · 08/10/2022 17:31

Surprised how many of you wouldn't just talk to your 'friend'.

So what you going to do OP?

Report but still be in her life so she doesn't assume it's you whilst you watch her life get turned upside down?
You said two wrong don't make a right..

Do you not care about what may happen to or how it could effect the child?

FOTTFSOFTFOASM · 08/10/2022 17:32

It's not a "hard one", OP. I would report her like a shot. It makes me pretty sick to think that people who work really hard and are paid just enough to contribute to the welfare state (so we're not talking about hugely rich people here) are defrauded by cheats and liars. Though in fact, why should hugely rich people be cheated, either? I'm very decidedly not rich, but I don't share the MN loathing of people who are. However, I do dislike liars and I particularly dislike people who are proud of their cheating and lying.

I am surprised, though, that anyone who has any substantial amount invested in property qualifies for any benefits. That's certainly not my understanding.

Pumperthepumper · 08/10/2022 17:46

FOTTFSOFTFOASM · 08/10/2022 17:32

It's not a "hard one", OP. I would report her like a shot. It makes me pretty sick to think that people who work really hard and are paid just enough to contribute to the welfare state (so we're not talking about hugely rich people here) are defrauded by cheats and liars. Though in fact, why should hugely rich people be cheated, either? I'm very decidedly not rich, but I don't share the MN loathing of people who are. However, I do dislike liars and I particularly dislike people who are proud of their cheating and lying.

I am surprised, though, that anyone who has any substantial amount invested in property qualifies for any benefits. That's certainly not my understanding.

You are going to be apoplectic when you find out how much the top earners are scamming off the public. It’s phenomenally more than people are cheating in benefits, you’re going to be astounded.

Captainmarvel0160 · 08/10/2022 17:49

I look at it this way, if said person is indeed committing benefit fraud karma will bite them in the bum at some point. Known of us knows exactly what is going on behind closed doors and do you really want to be the person that opens it and is in direct firing line? If she does have kids, and as you say has been claiming for some time it's a huge possibility that she may well serve time. My advice leave it be, tell her to stop bragging about what she is doing as 'others' who know may well not be as forgiving as you.

FarmerRefuted · 08/10/2022 17:54

I wouldn't report her.

First of all, people chat a load of shite and there is probably a massive gap between what she is "bragging" about and what the reality is (weird how all these so-called fraudsters are always so open about their fraud...).

Secondly, she very well could go to jail and I couldn't have that on my conscience. Someone I worked with went to jail for benefit fraud, she was claiming as a single person but had ber boyfriend living with her. She was given a six month prison sentence, the boyfriend fucked off, no dad on the scene so her kids spent those six months in care.

Thirdly, no one likes a grass and I agree with a PP about being wary of the smiling assassin. If you're going to fuck her over then at least have the decency to do it to her face instead of behind her back.

drpet49 · 08/10/2022 18:00

Florenz · 08/10/2022 17:28

I would report without a doubt, benefit fraudsters give other benefit claimants a bad name. Benefits should be there for people who need them.

This. I would report without question.

misssunshine4040 · 08/10/2022 18:01

Chloefairydust · 08/10/2022 01:32

Yeah she has her boyfriend living with her as well but is claiming to be a single parent too.

Its a hard one isn’t it… I don’t want to get her into trouble but I don’t like the thought of knowing about her benefit fraud either.

Does anyone know what happens when you report someone? Like are they in trouble for it or is it just a slap on the wrist and payments stopped?

You don't want her to get in trouble but you want her to get in trouble at the same time?
She will get in trouble yes.
Why don't you tell her the truth? That you feel it's not right etc? Why go behind her back? Just say how you feel

misssunshine4040 · 08/10/2022 18:03

Chloefairydust · 08/10/2022 02:23

I just don’t know… Obviously I don’t want her to end up in prison (surely that’s worse case scenario though and doesn’t actually happen to people??)

But then I don’t know if I can turn a blind eye now I know about it…

I mean if everyone did this what state would our country be in? The rules are there for a reason right?

Why the fake naivety?
What do you think happens?

ElectedOnThursday · 08/10/2022 19:06

what annoys me most is you claiming to be non judgmental, concerned, old-fashioned, when in fact you are being deeply judgmental, interfering, treacherous and spiteful.

Truth is, you don’t know, you don’t care, you are ignorant of her true situation, you are green with envy and all up doing this to satisfy not some moral code but bloodlust- if I can’t have it, no one can.

Do you have any insight into how absurd you sound justifying your parents’ being beneficiaries and decrying your “friend” in the same breath?

Do you realise how dishonest you are being in pretending to be her friend while plotting her downfall?

Original poster
Chloefairydust · 08/10/2022 19:30

ElectedOnThursday · 08/10/2022 19:06

what annoys me most is you claiming to be non judgmental, concerned, old-fashioned, when in fact you are being deeply judgmental, interfering, treacherous and spiteful.

Truth is, you don’t know, you don’t care, you are ignorant of her true situation, you are green with envy and all up doing this to satisfy not some moral code but bloodlust- if I can’t have it, no one can.

Do you have any insight into how absurd you sound justifying your parents’ being beneficiaries and decrying your “friend” in the same breath?

Do you realise how dishonest you are being in pretending to be her friend while plotting her downfall?

I would never be dishonest and claim benefits that I’m not entitled to. I believe lying is wrong. And I don’t think it’s hypocritical that my parents are on benefits, they are good, honest people who happen to have real disabilities and therefore receive the help they are rightfully entitled to and no more.

OP posts:
itwasntmetho · 08/10/2022 19:56

I believe lying is wrong

You're going to tell her that it was you that blew up her life and potentially her childs then?

Lu901 · 08/10/2022 20:12

Ohhhh it's only okay when you lie okay got ya..

Can't just tell your 'friend' how you feel about it.

FOTTFSOFTFOASM · 08/10/2022 20:22

Pumperthepumper · 08/10/2022 17:46

You are going to be apoplectic when you find out how much the top earners are scamming off the public. It’s phenomenally more than people are cheating in benefits, you’re going to be astounded.

Show quote history

I'm not going to be in the slightest bit astounded. I am aware of these people, too. If I knew of some rich fucker who was enjoying screwing the system illegally, I'd report them too. It's not the amount of money but the legality, really.

Though in the case the OP mentions, it is germane that this "friend" has money invested in property and is laughing about her fraudulent benefit claims. I'd have far more sympathy for someone who was genuinely struggling and was quietly claiming benefits while in a 'grey area', as most of us are. I'd probably keep quiet in that situation, even though it's wrong.

I am still wondering about the veracity of the OP's friend's claims, really. www.entitledto.co.uk/help/own-other-property