to think about shopping friend of friend for undeclared income?

[FatAssPantaloons]

Is this really snide of me?

Friend of friend has several cash in hand cleaning jobs. Her three DCs are at school so she takes on as much work as she can while they're there. No idea how much she makes in a week but know she charges clients 10 pounds an hour. She works very hard - is one of these people who never seems to pause, is always buzzing wth nervous energy, working or looking for work.

Recently found out that she also claims tax credits as though she were a SAHM. All of her cleaning work is under the table - no tax paid but also claiming benefits as though she wasn't working.

Her husband has a full time low paid job, and they rent a small house in a wealthy area, in a rural place so they each need to run a car, so I can totally see why they need every penny they can get. But, she's defrauding, isn't she?

It's none of my business, right? Or is it?

I would not consider shopping her.

But it is still wrong to claim something you are not entitled to.

tbh with how shit everything is at the minute with the stupidly high cost of living etc i dont blame people for doing stuff like this

so no i would not say anything personally

but she needs to be careful

Completely agree with crumbledwalnuts.

It's disgusting that so many people think it's acceptable to steal from the public purse for personal gain.

People like this are the reason why disabled people are having to put up with ridiculous assessments and are being denied money that they need and deserve. They are the reason why every benefit claimant has to put up with stigma.

I think it's important to mention disapproval to people directly if you see them doing something dodgy. Social pressure to stay the right side of the law is the best way, if it works.

Social pressure would be good, but as this thread proves, many people think benefit fraud is a non issue and you are malicious and spiteful if you disagree with it.

Personally, I wouldn't talk to someone directly who was doing this, it's clear that they think it's acceptable and they're not just going to say 'oh, yes, you're right, Ill get on the phone to HMRC straight away'. It would only cause an argument. There are confidential phone lines for a reason.

I don't think I would report anyone on the basis of hearsay and gossip.

If this person was my friend, I'd probably have a conversation about it and it would make me think less of her if she didn't declare her income long term. That said, I'm self-employed (and declare everything!) and she won't be paying very much tax at all on those earnings. Even if she is getting 10ph, there are only a certain amounts of jobs she can do within the school day, she would have expenses to offset etc. I'd be surprised if she paid any income tax at all.

Doubt I would. My BIL is a chippie and does lots lot homers/weekend work. My sister also works and they don't claim anything. He is classed as self employed so he never has a set amount coming in anyway. I just can't get worked up about folk doing unreliable odd jobs for a little extra.

thats awful about your friend msrdevere

whats wrong with some people

I wouldn't. Not for someone earning only £10 an hour for a max of probably five hours a day. Especially if her husband was also on a low income.

I would not report her. She is just trying to survive in an unjust world. If the wealth in this world was spread out more fairly there would be no need for people to resort to this sort of thing. I could not report and look at my reflection in the mirror. When times are getting harder and food and fuel bills are rising so fast what do people expect people to do just lie down and die.

What she is doing would be the least of my worries.

I wouldn't because it's NONE of my business, just as it's none of yours either.

I believe in Karma so I wouldn't personally.

She'll get caught of her own accord,don't risk bringing bad karma on yourself.

Broken sunglasses: "many people think benefit fraud is a non issue"
ain't that the case, and 95 pc of people here just proved you right

I would not report her. She is just trying to survive in an unjust world. If the wealth in this world was spread out more fairly there would be no need for people to resort to this sort of thing. I could not report and look at my reflection in the mirror. When times are getting harder and food and fuel bills are rising so fast what do people expect people to do just lie down and die.

^^ THIS. exactly this.

I wouldn't shop her, but I would hire her. Good cleaners are like black diamonds round here.

The problem is everyone thinks they're poorer than someone else, and everyone things someone else is on the take. So you've got "why shouldn't I, it's not fair" and why shouldn't I, they are". Thus the state is abused, so the system begins to crumble. This thread is demonstrating beautifully the corrosive effect of entitlement.

On info from a friend of a friend no I wouldn't report, you never know why someone has said something if it is true and what they are basing it on even if they tell your there version of events people like to gossip they also tend to enjoy exaggerating and telling fibs.

If this woman was my friend and she personally had told me she was doing that then I would because I would have had opportunity to tell her the exact difference it would make to her tax credits and what penalties would happen and then tell her I would if she didn't stop.

Yes, I would report her as she is committing theft. I always find it funny when people on MN talk about bankers stealing and how terrible it is yet think it should be condoned when other people do it. Surely theft is not ok, whether it is big or small amounts? And if it is ok for this woman to steal from the taxpayer then it is also ok for everyone else (including the very rich to steal)? Two wrongs don't make a right (except on Mumsnet)?

Are you going to shop the people who are paying her cash in hand too?

stealing a small object is not any lesser degree of theft than stealing a valuable one.

she probably wouldn't pay any tax if she declared, but would lose benefit. Now it is true that the system is faulty in that it doesn't encourage work in some cases, but it is the system that needs changing. Meantime we should all keep the rules.

talk of 'shop' and 'grass' belongs in the playground. BUT that said I'm not sure you have enough evidence. The best bet is that she comes clean of her own accord.

It depended when she started working - You do realize that Tax credits are based on the previous years income? and in any case if she is self employed she can deduct expenses from earned income which may mean despite them both working, they may well still be entitled to clam tax credits esp as her Husband is on a low wage.

If you report on hearsay,you run the risk of her tax credits being stopped whilst they investigate (which could take months)