To report family members for benefit fraud

[Blueberrymuffint0p]

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?

I'm going to report usual for bad language. So fucking, bollocksy, shitting there.

Well if you are going to report someone you should be willing to own it, and any consequences and damage that may occur as a result. All this 'Report, it's anonymous and if they've done nothing wrong they've got nothing to fear' is just a cop out so that people can report based on nothing more than jealously, spite or suspicion and wrap it up as a public service. I'd say that whatever section you posted in.

..if you are wrong then they won't have any problems will they!

Don't be naive.

Even if they are completely innocent, their money will be stopped while their claim is investigated. So no money coming in, with no warning and 5 kids to feed.

And further to basgetti's very good point, why is it that these threads never EVER say "Should I speak to my friend/relative/neighbour about my suspicions"? No-one ever considers mustering the courage to be straight with their supposed loved ones, it seems.

Report them. It's not for you to decide whether they're innocent. The truth will come out.

Hmm this has made me think and panic!
I separated from my husband early May and have since claimed as I single parent. He now has his own flat but comes round 5 times a week to help out but does not sleep ( I'm 8 months pregnant , we have 2dc, he had an affair which is a whole other thread )

Where the hell do I stand ! There's not a cat in hells chance I want to be dependant on that philandering liar but we have 2 dc together which he sees at my house. In my eyes we are truly separated but how would others see it?

If they have 5 children's together surely they have to have a amicable relationship for their sake?

Yup, I've never read 'am I being unreasonable to be really worried my family members are claiming benefits and working, I might be wrong but would like some openers in starting a conversation with them about it' either

I'd report them.

It is a difficult one but it is the reason so many get away with cheating the system. If it was a close family member I would bring it up in conversation and try to cause enough worry to make them stop.

It used to be the situation that a partner could stay over three times a week.
Whatevs.

It is a difficult one but it is the reason so many get away with cheating the system.

How many?

The only unacceptable thing IMO is when people deflect wrong-doing by pointing the finger at "Big Corporate", Starbucks, Google committing tax fraud.

One is benefit fraud the other is tax fraud, see the common word?

Two wrongs don't make a right, no matter how many times people try to make the excuse!

If he is staying with his mother I am struggling to see what the problem is. They aren't doing anything at all illegal. I work with single mothers, many of them have partners they don't live with- not an issue or the DWP at all- they can even stay over a couple of nights a week! Honestly, people really have too much time on their hands if they are worrying about this! Also- tax credits, which presumably the wife is claiming, don't take account of any additional child maintenance, so again, I am not sure what the 'fraud' is???

I don't have any statistics but I'm sure many wouldn't feel comfortable reporting family or neighbours out of fear they will be found out and it will cause trouble.

The only unacceptable thing IMO is when people deflect wrong-doing by pointing the finger at "Big Corporate", Starbucks, Google committing tax fraud.

Maybe the finger pointing is due to the fact that these corporations have no action taken against them yet the mere suspicion that a person on benefits isn't behaving as someone else deems they should is enough for them to make a report, potentially causing a lot of damage, and be actively encouraged to do so.

if they are both working they will usually get less working tax credits as a single person than as a couple

the only way to make benefit fraud pay is to be on JSA ESA etc because they give you single person's allowance and a half for being a couple and both get single person's allowance if you're separated it still only works out to £40 a week extra hardly worth risking a prison sentence for

my guess is they really are separated fell into a sort of relationship then when they almost got caught they made it clear they are separated the lines got blurred and with 5 kids who is surprised

The preliminary estimated value of overpayment in 2013/14 is £3.3bn which is a decrease when compared to 2012/13: £3.5bn. In 2011/12, the value of overpayment was estimated to be £3.4bn and in 2010/11 it was estimated to be £3.2bn. This is due to the fall in the overpayment rate.
Estimates of Fraud and Error Overpayments by type of error in 2013/14 P
? 0.7%, or £1.1bn, of total benefit expenditure is overpaid due to fraud; ? 0.9%, or £1.5bn, of total benefit expenditure is overpaid due to claimant error; ? 0.4%, or £0.7bn, of total benefit expenditure is overpaid due to official error.

Statistics. Oh look, it's bugger all
The highest percentage of the benefits bill is pensions, after that it's people in work.

For all you know, it could be an abusive situation where she's letting him stay to placate him.

You have no idea about their finances, or their marriage. You are reporting based on a suspicion because you're upset they're stressing out family.

Unless you are willing to take in those 5 kids and help feed them while the money stops (by your doing), then I'd stay out of it.

government figures

I wouldn't report it.

It might not be very moral of me but I wouldn't report my own family for a crime unless it was really causing significant suffering to someone else (eg rape, abuse, murder, blackmail type stuff). Stealing etc - no, I wouldn't. I love my family and wouldn't want to make life difficult for them.

I'd report it. If there's no case to answer, no harm done. If there is a case to answer then they deserve everything they get. I can't abide liars and cheats and I'd fully expect anyone to report me if I broke the law.

Not quite the same, but I've reprted my ex for benefit fraud. I did it online.

Oh and if you're still stalking me, and reading this....you're welcome

cheers

Joysmum there is harm done. Benefits are suspended whilst the fraud team investigate. That's harm, especially when there are five children involved.
If you are genuinely unsure as to whether or not somebody is committing benefit fraud, don't report them, people do suffer.

Do report or not, FFS. Advance search the topic and plenty of virtually the same comments come up. Yawn.

Or you could steal their goat and the plug from the mahoosive Tv. That'll learn 'em.

Its pathetic, it really is.

This. And enjoy the goat.