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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to want to report someone for benefit fraud?

65 replies

ElectricSoftParade · 30/05/2011 21:05

That's it really.

I know, as the person concerned told me, that she is working cash-in-hand and also claiming DLA plus rent/council tax rebates.

I usually try to keep my nose out but this is really making me, well, angry. Although I do WANT to, I don't think I will as it feels like I am sticking my nose in and also being a "grass".

So AIBU in not reporting her and posting this? Or should I just do it? WWYD?

OP posts:
FabbyChic · 30/05/2011 22:02

You can work 40 hours and still get housing benefit, it depends how much you earn and how much you rent is.

Pandygirl · 30/05/2011 22:03

Look if she's above board it won't matter if you do report her, I have to say working "cash in hand" sounds a bit dodgy.

Personally I would because if she's doing no wrong it won't make a difference. Not sure why you would hold back?

Original poster
ElectricSoftParade · 30/05/2011 22:06

Yes boilingpoint hence my subsequent posts.

OP posts:
usualsuspect · 30/05/2011 22:06

It will make a difference if her benefits are stopped while they investigate

I wouldn't report for a bit of cash in hand even if it was a bit dodgy

millie30 · 30/05/2011 22:09

Seriously Pandygirl? Do you think it's that simple? People can have legitimate benefits suspended and be dragged through investigations. You have no idea of the financial impact or stress that could place on an already vulnerable family. But you think it's fine do to that 'just in case' someone might be committing fraud? Nice.

millie30 · 30/05/2011 22:09

x posts with usual suspect!

tallulahxhunny · 30/05/2011 22:10

some lovely people on here, really... :shakes head

GypsyMoth · 30/05/2011 22:11

any dc in the equation??

Original poster
ElectricSoftParade · 30/05/2011 22:13

No DC involved but neither I am. Nose well and truely OUT.

OP posts:
IprivateI · 30/05/2011 22:17

Does she register her cash in hand money so her tax is deducted? If not, then she is up to no good - she is working tax free and she is claiming benefits. Don't worry, if you don't report her, she'll get caught soon enough. They do all sorts of wonderful films and photography to catch frauds these days. She might even end up on one of those programs on the BBC....ha ha

SockShitter · 30/05/2011 22:18

Reporting is vile, sorry. Two wrongs don't make a right.

Reporting is not wrong. If someone stole from you, actually went in your house and stole you woudn't report it because two wrongs don't make a right? Hmm I call bull shit.

If someone is stealing from the government than they are stealing form every person paying taxes.

ThisIsANiceCage · 30/05/2011 22:18

If she is getting contributions-based Incapacity Benefit/ESA, ie has paid enough National insurance, this is currently not means-tested. (There is also a means-tested Income-Support type ESA for those without enough NI stamp.)

DLA is never means-tested and is intended to help people to live and work (it helps pay for the extra cost of transport, wheelchairs, etc). It is not taxable.

If she is getting IB/ESA, she will be allowed to work a very small number of hours a week and earn a very small amount of money, in order to "stay in touch with working life".

Unless she's living rent-free, the above will barely make a dent in the rent, and she is therefore likely to need means-tested Housing Benefit/CTB.

I know you've decided not to do anything, ESP, but just thought I should lay it out for everyone.

usualsuspect · 30/05/2011 22:24

SockShitter just out of interest ,would you report the builder/mechanic etc who was doing a bit of cash in hand work and not paying tax on it?

ThisIsANiceCage · 30/05/2011 22:25

The personal tax allowance is £7,475 pa.

The top rate of Incapacity Benefit, the only part which will count as income for tax purposes, is £4901 pa. (She could conceivably get an additional age allowance which tips the IB just over £5000 pa).

So she could earn over £2000 without it becoming taxable.

millie30 · 30/05/2011 22:28

All the outrage that someone struggling might be topping up their benefits with a few hours at minimum wage. How nice that we've all got our priorities right eh.

mumnotmachine · 30/05/2011 22:31

IB is not means tested
You can also earn £20 a week without it affecting benefit
You can also do permitted work for up to a year earning £95 a week without it affecting benefit

Pandygirl · 30/05/2011 22:33

I work hard, and pay taxes, why shouldn't people who might be claiming fraudulently be investigated? How else can the system work? We could do the American thing where there is no welfare state, but that doesn't seem fair, I absolutely think we should support the people we need to support, but give us the right to question the claims.

mumnotmachine · 30/05/2011 22:34

And if you feel the need to report
0800 854 440

millie30 · 30/05/2011 22:37

The clue is 'might be.' With no hard evidence a person's life could be blown apart just because someone with a superiority complex thinks others aren't worthy of their benefits. I'm not the sort of person who could do that. If you are then good for you.

TheSecondComing · 30/05/2011 22:38

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

ThisIsANiceCage · 30/05/2011 22:38

Of course fraud should be investigated.

Problem comes with investigating not-fraud.

Bit like me claiming your car is actually a stolen vehicle and you're smuggling cocaine in the wheelarches, and the police seize it for three months and hold you for questioning for 48 hours.

And it turns out I'd just misheard you over the garden fence.

I'd want a decent grasp of the facts before accusing someone of fraud.

FabbyChic · 30/05/2011 22:41

They don't stop benefits whilst they investigate, they investigate first and get all the evidence they need, they then call in the person for an appointment, depending on whether or not they are still working is when they suspend benefits.

usualsuspect · 30/05/2011 22:42

There isn't a big campaign for people to report tax evaders though TSC
only the benefit scroungers

A few well placed stories in the Daily Mail and the I don't pay my taxes brigade are frothing at the mouth

mumnotmachine · 30/05/2011 22:42

Benefit can be suspended pending investigation if the fraud officer/investigator requests it
It depends on the nature of the investigation

Wottywot · 30/05/2011 22:43

YANBU - If it is true that she is claiming what we others have to pay for, yes, it would really piss me off.
Maybe make sure you have the facts right first though or it could make you look a bit silly if it's not correct.

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