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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Friend fraudulantly claiming tax credits as a single mum

149 replies

OrangeFlower7 · 26/08/2013 18:36

I am getting increasingly exasperated with hearing the woeful stories from my friend - she and her husband 'split up' at the start of the year but are now back together / still living together. She is always saying how skint she is, since getting married (was a single mum beforehand) as her tax credits claim stopped. So, when they split up, she started a new claim as a single parent with a low income. He has a full-time well paid job. So now they get housing benefit for their 1.1K/month rental house, a high tax credits award of about 10K plus his money from his job...it just seems a bit unfair for her to keep moaning on when we've been struggling with DH being made redundant and getting by on some self-employment but really trying hard each month to get the money together for the mortgage bills etc.

WWYD? What should i say next time she moans on? Do you think, I should report them for tax credits fraud?!

OP posts:
noisytoys · 26/08/2013 18:39

Report them. I have reported people in the same situation, their claim was stopped, it was investigated and it is anonymous. Thankfully for me they told anyone would listen about their fraud so they don't know I reported them and I don't know if anyone else reported them.

JaneFonda · 26/08/2013 18:39

Yes, report her.

But her wealth has nothing to do with yours (or lack of it).

nkf · 26/08/2013 18:41

Two separate things. Do you report? And how do you deal with her moaning? Don't muddle the two.

timidviper · 26/08/2013 18:42

I too would report them. I am in favour of benefits at a decent level for those who need them and there will never be enough money to do that if irresponsible grabbers claim more than they should.

Finola1step · 26/08/2013 18:45

Report her.

gamerchick · 26/08/2013 18:52

I wouldn't grass on somebody for that. But I would look at your motives for it. Are you doing it because IT'S NOT FAIR! She's got more than you? or you just think it's the right thing to do? Could you look her in the face if they decide to make an example of her?

She will probably get caught herself without your help at some point. They're really cracking down.

janey68 · 26/08/2013 18:54

Report. It's utterly wrong and a kick in the teeth to all genuine claimants and taxpayers.
I've never been in a position to need to report anyone but I know others who have and it seems very straightforward. They won't know who they've been reported by, their circumstances will be investigated and if they weren't doing anything fraudulent they'd have nothing to fear

SmiteYouWithThunderbolts · 26/08/2013 18:55

Report her because it's fraud, not because you're sick of her moaning.

Viviennemary · 26/08/2013 18:56

I would report them. I've never reported anybody but in your situation I would. This is theft of public money by fraud.

Mojavewonderer · 26/08/2013 18:57

Report it! It's not right and that's tax payers money that they are getting and not entitled too. You can report it anon online now so there is no excuse.

MintyChops · 26/08/2013 18:57

Agree with Thunder. Report.

hashtagwhatever · 26/08/2013 18:59

if she works full time in a well paid job, she won't be receiving highest ctc or full housing benefit on her home.

StuntGirl · 26/08/2013 19:01

Haha, I bloody love this website sometimes. About a week ago someone asked if they should report someone in the same situation and was roundly condemned for it, told it was none of her business and to stfu.

PresidentServalan · 26/08/2013 19:01

Report her. And if she is a pita, stop being friends with her.

RhondaJean · 26/08/2013 19:01

Not her the husband who "doesn't" live with her hash tag..

Report. People like this are thankfully a minimum but they do the genuine claimants a disservice and I have no sympathy for them.

CatAmongThePigeons · 26/08/2013 19:01

Hasnt the housing benefit cap came in to stop people claiming larger rents?

Original poster
OrangeFlower7 · 26/08/2013 19:02

She isn't in the well paid job, he is. Stuntgirl yes that does sound a bit typical Smile

OP posts:
RhondaJean · 26/08/2013 19:09

Housing benefit cap is related to number of bedrooms not rental cost.

Overall benefits cap is 26k so 1.1x12 + 10k comes in under that.

SubliminalMassaging · 26/08/2013 19:16

Tax credits of 10k? ConfusedShock

How does that work then? I know nothing about tax credits but I think I know they are not worth up to 10k. At least I bloody hope they're not.

SkinnybitchWannabe · 26/08/2013 19:19

Report her.
Ive done it in the past, very easy to do online

jacks365 · 26/08/2013 19:23

Report. It's fraud and everyone pays the price for it.

Original poster
OrangeFlower7 · 26/08/2013 19:25

Subliminal, I think, if you are claiming on a very low income the maximum award is about 10K over a year, or about 800pounds a month.

OP posts:
CatAmongThePigeons · 26/08/2013 19:26

Thanks Rhonda I knew I probably wasnt right.

Anyway, report them.

CoffeeandScones · 26/08/2013 19:27

More like £11-12k I think if working sixteen hours or more and on about £10k a year.

noisytoys · 26/08/2013 19:28

Income support for 'lone parent', child tax credit, child benefit, housing benefit and council tax benefit could easily be more than £10k, none of which she would be eligible for if her DP declared living with her.