Ive Just shopped someone for benefit fraud, do I deserve to burn in hell.

[Gulitladen]

I feel quite bad.

This person is an acquaintance, She was a single parent for a few months, then she met someone who pretty much moved in, he was paying her bills for her and moved in properly earlier this year.

She has always worked full time with a salary of around 20k.

She seems to have an awful lot of money, and, as a single parent myself, I couldnt quite work it out. However, I have seen her tax credits renewal form as she didnt understand something and asked me to have a look for her, and shes claiming to be a lone parent, working 16.3 hours a week, earning 12k a year less than she actually is.

She is also claiming housing benefit as a single parent.

So, I have completed the DWP form and sent it off. I couldnt help it, it makes me see red.

But I now feel terrible.

WooWoo that'd be fine if it was actually true.

So WHY didn't you ask her, or tell her? Why go behind her back?

I was recently wrongly accused of benefit fraud relating to a very short period of time when I was unemployed; it caused me months of anxiety and desperation even though I knew I had done nothing wrong. Finally it did get sorted out but the stress of being questioned, sending in bank statements and generally being under suspicion really upset me even though I knew was innocent. The benefits department were relents in pursuing me despite the fact I provided everything they asked, no longer claim and the period in question was only three months. Please don't think if she has done nothing wrong it will all be fine.

What did she need help with on the form?

I'm completely in favour of a system where if an anonymous report is found to be malicious the reporter loses their right to anonymity.

Having been harassed in the past by someone who reported us to various agencies completely anonymously.

The police can do absolutely nothing, by the way.

Not sure why the OP is getting such a hard time for reporting someone who is possibly committing a criminal offence? Those of us who work hard and live within our means have to fund the lifestyles of these benefit cheats who are robbing us blind. I don't have an issue with the genuinely needy claiming benefits, but people like this really anger me.

I haven't said anything that's not true, I've given an opinion!

Unlike you who is just making stuff up. Joysmum didn't say anything about disabled people or carers yet your defensiveness is attaching that to a completely unrelated comment anyway. It's pathetic.

This is a conversation about fraudulent claims, not genuine ones. See the difference?

Good for you op! All those people moaning about it affecting her poor children- tough shit that's not the ops problem. Her friend should have thought of that before she claimed fraudulently

Good for you op! All those people moaning about it affecting her poor children- tough shit that's not the ops problem. Her friend should have thought of that before she claimed fraudulently

Because im a terrible person, clearly.

I am always slightly shocked on MN that there seems to be a general consensus that it is not acceptable to moan about those people on benefits who are committing fraud or taking the piss out of the system. These are the people that are giving everyone else on benefits a bad name.

The benefits system is there as a safety net and most people realise that any one of us could find ourselves relying upon it at some point. Surely the people who are taking the piss out of it disadvantage the other 99.99% of people who are in that position through circumstances beyond their control.

Not you, WooWoo. The OP.

You said it, OP.

Also I think you were a coward. If the person who reported me had spoken to me about it I would have put them straight and not suffered the stress I did.

WooWoo what proof does the OP have is she a tax accountant? does she or has she worked for HMRC, does she access to this womens complet financial records - I'm guessing no so I think we can be reasonable in assuming she doesn't have all the facts but is willing to fuck her friend over on a hunch, I'm sorry but that is not ok.
Also I have calimed tax credit over the years and have always had to put my final year salary taken from my P60. So if the OP is saying she put 8k down when she earns 20k that is going to be picked up quickly and only an idiot would try to do that, or maybe (and I'm being kind here)the OP looked and something not mis-understood what the figure was and has used that as justification for grassing someone up on zero evidence.

You don't think you're in the wrong OP so why ask?

I doubt you actually feel any guilt. You reported what you believe to be a fraudulent claim. If it is well, that's her look out. If it's not then you've reported a fraudulent claim which doesn't exist

It seems like you want a pat on the back for reporting this woman. Why?

I agree Abbey. It just goes to show what an odd place MN can be, and how far removed from my reality it is when people who truthfully report a crime are attacked.

I don't get it at all.

*SantasLittleMonkeyButler"

"You just wanted a pat on the back really didn't you? "

Well, I'll join the queue of patters. I reported someone a few years ago. She had four boys who all went to work and she kept four dogs. All on full benefits (she told me when I had to witness on a document for her). It's so annoying to fo to work for your money, pay tax and national insurance only to find that others take illegal advantage of what our taxes are for - the benefit of those in a form of hardship not those who can afford 4WD cars, theatre trips, holidays, booze and cigarettes.

YoutheCat I do know that! But, assuming the OP is correct, the OP's friend is not entitled to it, so why should she get it.

Good for you OP. You suspected fraud, you reported it. If I suspect other forms of stealing I report it - I don't do the investigating myself, I leave that up to the people whose job it is.

OP, why do you feel guilty??

You know that logically you did the right thing. And you know she isn't going to starve.

I think the fact you feel guilty shows that you are a kind person and did it for the right reasons, rather than being filled with glee you are feeling guilty.

I'm with joys mum, I'd buy you a drink too.

*go to work

Yes you do deserve to burn in hell, I'm just answering your question. Jealously is one of the worst emotions to have and karma will catch up with you, I don't believe in telling tales on people.

I know plenty of people who are involved in benefit fraud but I turn a blind eye as it is none of my business.

Ive had benefit spot checks in the past, I understand what its like. I also know how it is when one benefit goes up a tiny bit and then another one drops, or you work some overtime to try and better yourself or to pay for something for your children, and you lost out. Its rubbish.

Which is why I reported her, because shes making a mockery of it, taking what she isnt entitled to and doesnt need, while there are other people, who really need that money, and it should be there to support them.

I don't see where she's being attacked for reporting fraud, I haven't seen anyone say that fraud is ok.

I do see where she's being criticised for being a two-faced snake in the grass, who may actually be causing harm to a family who aren't doing anything wrong.

you did the right thing op, wish I had the balls to do the same, someone at work is doing the same as your pal

oh,and you dont have to justify yourself to anyone