to want to report someone for benefit fraud?

[ElectricSoftParade]

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?

A friend of mine got reported for benefit fraud after someone rang up and said her xp lived with her. They had 3 kids and formed a good relationship (after they seperated).

Her money was stopped for weeks whilst they investigated. She had to ring up and beg for crisis loans weekly to feed her family.

It was a horrible time for her and she was eventually cleared.

I would report myself if i knew it to be a fact, otherwise i wouldnt..

Fabby I know someone who recently had their benefits suspended for 2 weeks whilst they were being investigated. Why do you post inaccuracies as absolute fact?

Millie they were lucky it was only suspended two weeks, there are many that takes months.....

They will stop while they investigate.

I had mine stopped because they didn't receive a piece of evidence that my ex partner had moved out of my flat. It had just got lost in the post but they still stopped them until they had it.

YABU.

I couldn't do it to anyone, wouldn't want to. It wouldn't make me feel like a better citizen, not sure it would make a big difference it ALL benefit fraud stopped tomorrow, but it's your call really isn't it?.

If you'll feel you,ve done your bit for the nation go head la.

If the police ever came round here and even asked me anything, I'd say I don't know.

Because really, you'd have to be crazy to live here if you could afford otherwise. And if you were, then I feel sorry enough to just let you go about your own business as long as it isn't bothering me or mine any.

But, as pointed out, DLA is not means-tested and you can work away on it. What taxes and NI you declare and pay to HMRC are none of my business and so I couldn't care less.

Can't say I'm for grassing up a person over a few measly bob, though. FFS.

Good on you op for realising there might be more to it. My friend was once reported for benefit fraud by someone close enough to know she'd come into some money but not close enough to know she had to pay it all back out. It was awful. Just that year she'd gone through redundancy, bereavement, a stressful tribunal and a burglary (all within two months). I hope whoever reported her was incredibly proud of themselves for causing her so much stress. Luckily she had evidence to take to interview and was believed but she was so upset someone could do that to her. I wouldn't advise anyone to report without knowing all the facts, it really can make someone's life a misery.

For those who keep going on about it being means tested As other people have mentioned, you can earn over £2k whilst on DLA before it becomes taxable. The fact it's cash in hand makes it sound like it's only a few hours per week. And housing benefit/LHA is income based, not reliant on benefits. Glad the majority of posters have their heads screwed on, tbh...

Talking to my BF and her husband yesterday we found out that he makes roughhly £300 a day cash in hand. They were also telling us how they will still be eligable for child benefit when that changes. But they are not claiming any benefits so they think it is ok. My DH didn't think this was a problem but I just don't think it is right. I am not about to report them but it leaves a bitter taste in my mouth. Who do they think is paying for the school for their DD or the hospital they will have DC2 in.

Am I turning into a Daily Mail person in my old age?

I think this is exactly the problem with this kind of "scrounger" culture that Tory papers like the Sun and the Mail keep writing about. Fact is it is not that common, but because people are reading about it in the papers all the time it makes people think every claimant is a "scrounger" then get all irate about people living the high life with their flat screen tvs and want to report people. I think most of it is just a ploy anyway to take the attention of themselves, their tax avoidance and their own expense scandals and blame the poor for everything.

DLA isnt classed as taxable income anyway, neither is Incapacity Benefit if someone has been receiving it prior to 1995

if you report, the authorities will look into it and pick up any discrepencies if there are any

if there arent, no harm done :)

That's interesting, mumnotmachine. My IB is taxable, being more recent, but as it's my only income (apart from non-taxable DLA), I never reach the personal limit.

It's seems you don't know all the facts here so I wouldn't not report her until you do. My mom works but gets DLA as she's got MS. DLA is there to help you at home with a carer, you don't know her circumstances and it seems to me your going on a witchhunt.