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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

To report somebody for benefit fraud?

24 replies

Sharkie45 · 15/02/2013 22:01

Have nc'ed as I don't want to out myself
My sister has her dsd(16) living with her however I know that the girls mum still claims child tax credits and child benefit for her
This really annoys me as she is claiming for a child that no longer lives with her and doesn't pass any of that money on to her daughter or my sister
I am considering reporting to the benefit fraud helpline...

OP posts:

MrsLouisTheroux · 15/02/2013 22:04

Yes. Do it.

DeepRedBetty · 15/02/2013 22:07

Does your sister and her husband not realise that they're missing out on the money? If they don't, tell them, and it's their job to ask for it. If they do, they may prefer not to rock the boat.

Original poster

Sharkie45 · 15/02/2013 22:08

Am just a bit worried about her finding out it was me, she's a bit Jeremy Kyle -esque spirited

OP posts:

DeepRedBetty · 15/02/2013 22:08

Sorry Do not Does at beginning. You can tell I spend time in Pedant's Corner...

Original poster

Sharkie45 · 15/02/2013 22:10

They have asked but she said she will give the money to her daughter and that was the last they have heard of it, they need to stand up for themselves but to be fair they have had a lot of trouble with her in the past

OP posts:

DeepRedBetty · 15/02/2013 22:10

Why should she find out it was you? If she's a bit JK ish she may well have told loads of people who could subsequently grass her up.

usualsuspect · 15/02/2013 22:10

Really?

DeepRedBetty · 15/02/2013 22:11

How long ago did she say she'd start passing the cash on to her daughter?

Itsjustafleshwound · 15/02/2013 22:13

If you are certain and can deal with the fallout that is going to happen then do it.

I think the better form would be for you to get them to instigate the change

MeDented · 15/02/2013 22:14

All they have to do is apply for the child benefit themselves explaining the daughter now lives with them.

noisytoys · 15/02/2013 22:16

I reported someone for benefit fraud when they were living with their working partner and claiming as a single parent. They had to pay back years worth of benefits and never found out it was me because I did it anonymously

Trazzletoes · 15/02/2013 22:17

I may be wrong, but the child doesn't have to live with you for you to claim child benefit, does it?

Of course that doesn't mean it's fair on your DSis and her DP, but I think they just make a separate claim themselves, don't they? I don't think the Child Benefit claim by the mother is fraudulent...

As I said I could easily be wrong!

No idea about tax credits though.

Original poster

Sharkie45 · 15/02/2013 22:19

She promised to start giving money after Christmas.
To be honest I don't know why they don't just claim the benefit I think they are too worried about the fallout but i am so annoyed to think this woman uses the money that should be for her daughter for herself and my sister and husband are struggling to make ends meet
Oh I don't know, I think I will report it I was just looking for a bit of back up that I'm doing the right thing

OP posts:

DeepRedBetty · 15/02/2013 22:24

Well Christmas was seven weeks ago...

It is your sister and husband who will have to deal with the fallout, but she shouldn't be claiming this money if she's not the one who's supporting the girl. How old is the child btw?

madwomanacrosstheroad · 15/02/2013 22:27

The rule re tax credits is as far as i know that you have to receive child benefit for the child. It sounds like unfair arrangement that is legal. In effect it is a private arrangement. Your ds can contact child benefit, let them know the child lives with her and apply for the benefit. If they dont do that it is their decision. They may be worried that the childs mum will withdraw consent or be otherwise concerned.

madwomanacrosstheroad · 15/02/2013 22:33

Also even if a child was in care the parents continue to be entitled to child benefit.

Birdsgottafly · 15/02/2013 22:49

As said they are not committing fraud, as you can get those benefits if the child goes to live with a relative and you are contributing to their upkeep.

I doubt that your Dsis will drop the mother in it and say that they havre had nothing off her.

You need to leave it for them to sort it out, they will be involved with the investigation, which will be stressful.

littlemisssarcastic · 16/02/2013 10:29

Your sister and her DP have had trouble with his xp in the past. They don't want any fallout.
Have you discussed your plan to report your sister's DP's xp with your sister or her DP?
How old is your sister's DSS?

AmberLeaf · 16/02/2013 10:33

Stay out of it, there are too many details that you don't now for sure.

manicinsomniac · 16/02/2013 10:37

I wouldn't.

THe child is only being claimed for once so it's only your sister and her partner who are losing out not society as a whole. And the woman would probably suspect your sister of doing the reporting leading to trouble for them.

HecateWhoopass · 16/02/2013 10:39

She will probably think it is them. If they aren't chasing it themselves because they are afraid of her - don't you think that by reporting it, you will bring down on them the very thing they are trying to avoid?

Yes, she really ought to be reported. She isn't contributing, is she? I haven't read anything about her actually handing any money over. Doesn't that make it fraud?

But - your sister knows that she is entitled to some money - be it child benefit, tax credits, maintenance or whatever. If she isn't fighting for it through fear - don't fight it for her, because this woman will go after them and from what you say, that's what they are trying to avoid.

littlemisssarcastic · 16/02/2013 10:52

I agree with manic.

As soon as any investigation begins, your sister's DP's ex is going to assume it was your sister or DP.

Perhaps your sister has already decided the extra money isn't worth the trouble it would entail.

The most likely outcome imo if you report is that your sister's DP's xp will kick off and think it was your sister.
Your sister will, quite rightly, deny it and will then feel that she can't claim the money because to do so would be akin to proof to sister's DP's xp that it was indeed her.
Why else would she report other than to be able to claim the money herself? What other reason would there be?
Of course there is the added problem that it sounds like your sister and her DP's xp don't like each other very much.

So it would all point at your sister reporting, to claim the money herself.

In the end, no one would get the money and there'd be more bad feeling between the 2 women.

Where is the benefit in reporting?

SecondhandRose · 16/02/2013 10:54

How about an anonymous note through her door, she might stop it herself then.

littlemisssarcastic · 16/02/2013 10:56

She'll still think that came from the sister though imo.

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