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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To report family members for benefit fraud

176 replies

Blueberrymuffint0p · 18/06/2014 20:09

Suspected benefit fraud I should say.

My cousin and his wife have 5 children. I know nothing about their financial situation ie.if they're struggling, in debt etc. cousin works full time, cousin in law is a part time self employed beautician.

12 months ago they announced they were having a trial separation. Cousin moved in with his mum (my auntie) He spent all his time at the family home but used aunts house to sleep in. This started to tail off about 6 months ago when he'd only sleep at aunts house about twice a week.

A couple of weeks ago he drops into conversation that they think the house is being 'watched' he hints at social services (they've had dealings with the family before). Suddenly he's back to sleeping at my aunts every night again.

They seem to be, in every other way a normal couple. They spend weekends together, nights out etc. It seems pretty obvious that they're on the fiddle and it's hard working people like my husband and I who are picking up the bill not to mention the pressure on my elderly aunt who's worried sick about her son. She doesn't know if the marriage is on the rocks and is washing his clothes, cooking meals etc. When asked directly he mumbles about things being 'complicated'

I don't know what to make of it. Should I keep out of it or make a phone call?

OP posts:
Happydaysatlast · 18/06/2014 20:11

Keep out of it.

glasgowstevenagain · 18/06/2014 20:11

I would keep out

ashtrayheart · 18/06/2014 20:11

Yes keep out of it.

Ratbagcatbag · 18/06/2014 20:12

Make the phone call, it's anonymous anyway.

Fcukfifa · 18/06/2014 20:13

Do what you want to do. Personally I don't give a fuck about other peoples finances.

JennyOnTheBlocks · 18/06/2014 20:13

Really?

You know nothing about their financial situation but think they are fraudulently claiming benefits?

How do you work that one out then?

Blueberrymuffint0p · 18/06/2014 20:13

I'd have a horribly guilty conscience if I reported them but it's really starting to boil my piss!

OP posts:
CoffeeTea103 · 18/06/2014 20:14

You don't know anything for sure. Keep out of it.

Blueberrymuffint0p · 18/06/2014 20:15

Jenny, it's too lengthy to explain on here. Just take my word for it that it's clear as day they're fiddling the system.

OP posts:
HPparent · 18/06/2014 20:15

Well if they are already being watched by the fraud investigators there is little you can add. I would keep out of it. It seems a lot of trouble though, to pretend the marriage is in trouble and spend various nights away from home to fiddle benefits.

YouTheCat · 18/06/2014 20:17

Keep out of it.

WooWooOwl · 18/06/2014 20:17

If you're that certain that they're fiddling the system, then you have a responsibility to report them the same as you would have with any other crime you knew about.

JennyOnTheBlocks · 18/06/2014 20:19

Well if it's that clear, leave it

I'm sure you wouldn't be posting here so a whole bunch of people who know fuck all about them, can get stuck in and tear the little they do know into pieces?

Viviennemary · 18/06/2014 20:20

Report them if you think they are defrauding the system. It is theft of public money after all.

ilovesooty · 18/06/2014 20:20

I don't see how their fraud is clear at all

Mind your own business.

specialsubject · 18/06/2014 20:23

if you are certain enough that it is fraud that you would convict on the evidence, report.

if you are not that certain, don't.

it is a crime and if you are sure it has happened, report it.

Lighthousekeeping · 18/06/2014 20:25

Keep out of it. My next door neighbours clearly are but I wouldn't get involved. It's not of my business and I couldn't cope with the fall out.

Blueberrymuffint0p · 18/06/2014 20:25

No jenny, no one's tearing anyone to pieces I was just interested to see if people in general would report family members in this situation.

It seems that the general consensus is to stay out of it which is what I'll do. As hp says, if they're already being watched it won't take long before it catches up with them. It does seem a really extreme thing to do, to inflict upon the children but the household is chaotic at the best of times and maybe its worth it to them if the financial stakes are high enough.

OP posts:
allisgood1 · 18/06/2014 20:28

I love how people are telling you to keep out if it.

Do you not realize that YOUR MONEY is benefiting people who are CHEATING THE SYSTEM?!?

Yes, absolutely report them, anonymously of course!

WhenSheWasBadSheWasHorrid · 18/06/2014 20:30

Hmmm I think I would report.

WhenSheWasBadSheWasHorrid · 18/06/2014 20:32

allisgood good point re people saying mind your own business and it's their finances. If they are making fraudulent claims it is your business

IAmANightOwl · 18/06/2014 20:33

You'd be surprised the lengths some people go to to screw the system! I know a couple who years ago, actually got divorced because they found out they were better off claiming as single people than a couple (but they were still 'together')!! Shock I'd stay out of it though, especially as it seems they are already being investigated...

IsadoraJ · 18/06/2014 20:38

I don't understand the keep out of it/mind your own business mentality - when it comes to people commiting this crime - that people on Mumsnet seem to have.

Report them.

sammy90 · 18/06/2014 20:38

With family like you, who needs enemies?

MexicanSpringtime · 18/06/2014 20:40

Put your energy into getting after the bankers, at least they have nannies they can leave the children with.

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