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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To wonder if benefit fraud is rife

202 replies

sam71xxx · 06/04/2015 09:59

Was at my mums house on Thursday. Post came and 2 bills for my brother were in it. He has lived with his girlfriend for 3 years since moving out of mums. His girlfriend was a single parent to 3 children, living in a HA house. She does not work. Brother works full time earning £38k a year.

I asked why my brothers post was still coming to mums and she said that he is still officially living at her house so they can afford to save for a house deposit! Girlfriend claims as a single parent.

I was gobsmaked! I told mum it was very wrong that low paid people like me and my husband paid taxes and didnt claim a penny in tax credits while others played the system and that I can only dream of saving for a house deposit on a £30k a year combined income! She then got very upset and asked me not to report them (which I won't)

This is the third person in 6 months I have heard of doing this kind of thing (claiming as single). I am beginning to think it is probably more normal than I thing and I am the mug for not claiming as a single parent (I would be much better off!)

OP posts:
shewept · 06/04/2015 10:00

Its is rife, but not as much the daily mail would give the impression of. I wouldn't do it. Couldn't be happy with myself if I did.

ilovesooty · 06/04/2015 10:02

Here we go again.

No it is not "rife". Try educating yourself on the amount lost through fraudulent claims versus the amount lost through tax evasion. Of course you may just know one or two dishonest people.

PtolemysNeedle · 06/04/2015 10:04

Yes, this happens a lot in my experience as well.

AlpacaMyBag · 06/04/2015 10:05

I think 'rife' is probably going a bit far but it's not unheard of. I don't live in the UK, but my former neighbour was doing exactly what you describe (while also sub-letting the council flat he claimed to live in although he was living with his girlfriend. He made a massive profit while also ripping off the people on our very long housing waiting list many of whom are desperate for a safe and affordable place to live).

Crime doesn't pay and, sorry to say, your brother is horribly dishonest and I don't know how he lives with himself. Claiming benefits you are entitled to = sensible. Committing fraud = beneath contempt. He is not "playing the system", he is flat out lying and could find himself in jail!

shewept · 06/04/2015 10:05

ilovesooty I understand what you are saying. I actually wished I hadn't used the word rife, myself. But you can't compare the 2 both are wrong. Most people on benefits need it for a variety of reasons. However there are plenty of people who do, do it.

sanfairyanne · 06/04/2015 10:05

nope not rife
tax evasion is though - by multinational companies and the richest of the rich
stop fighting over the crumbs from their table and look up

peggyundercrackers · 06/04/2015 10:06

Yep this happens a lot. I find it infuriating as well.

Eggynuff · 06/04/2015 10:06

I think it's so common that many people are quite open about it.

Original poster
sam71xxx · 06/04/2015 10:06

I couldn't do it either as I would end up getting caught! I always wondered why there are no photos of them together on FB and now I know why.

Does explain the two lovely holidays a year they manage to have though.

I know a few people who work on the side too, so I agree that tax evasion is also a big issue.

OP posts:
sanfairyanne · 06/04/2015 10:07

are you a regular poster? or did you join just because of this?

usualsuspect333 · 06/04/2015 10:07

MN is rife with this sort of twatty 'wind them up and watch them go' thread.

ilovesooty · 06/04/2015 10:08

Well of course the OP could report them since she feels so strongly about it. She could follow their example if she wants to rusk a fine, a court appearance or a custodial sentence.

AlpacaMyBag · 06/04/2015 10:08

"nope not rife
tax evasion is though - by multinational companies and the richest of the rich
stop fighting over the crumbs from their table and look up"

This x 100.

ilovesooty · 06/04/2015 10:10

Oh and you could also advise your mum that facilitating fraud isn't a bright idea either.

If you're not just posting to be a GF of course

bamboostalks · 06/04/2015 10:10

Yes completely rife. As is tax evasion of course. I know so many parents at school who are claiming all sorts of benefits completely fraudulently. Of course many folk are on the bare bones of their arse as well but that doesn't negate those on free school meals etc who are in Florida at the moment. It's this problem which has given the Tories their mandate to shaft the most needy. Everyone knows someone on the fiddle and so they want to stick the knife in.

shewept · 06/04/2015 10:10

I don't see why people talking about people who are clearly committing benefit fraud has to turn into benefit bashing. Most people deserve/ need the benefits they get. Its 2 different things.

YouTheCat · 06/04/2015 10:11

No, it's not rife at all. What nonsense!

More goes unclaimed than is claimed fraudulently.

TenerifeSea · 06/04/2015 10:11

I know far more people who "do a little bit of work on the side" or work for cash in hand than defraud the welfare state.

Iliveinalighthousewiththeghost · 06/04/2015 10:12

I wouldn't dreAm of asking people about post that comes to their house. Not even my mother, and nor would she ask me.

VirginiaTonic · 06/04/2015 10:13

Why are people so defensive about anyone claiming benefit fraud is 'rife'? I reckon it is!

gamerwidow · 06/04/2015 10:14

It does happen, I know at least 3 people who are claiming fraudulently as a single person when living as a couple. It's not everyone on benefits though and it still costs the country less than tax evasion. It's not ok and if they do get caught they will find themselves in a lot if trouble.

AlpacaMyBag · 06/04/2015 10:14

"I don't see why people talking about people who are clearly committing benefit fraud has to turn into benefit bashing. Most people deserve/ need the benefits they get. Its 2 different things."

Exactly shewept. I work FT and also claim the tax breaks/benefits to which I am legally entitled. I would be stupid not to. However I do not and would not try to make a claim based on misrepresenting my circumstances. I would be about as likely to go and steal something from a shop or a bank or a neighbour.

ghostyslovesheep · 06/04/2015 10:15

I'm always amazed at how much people know about other peoples finances and personal affairs - like which parents claim FSM and who is on benefits Hmm

for every £1 lost of benefit fraud £4 is lost in tax avoidance - so maybe focus your outrage elswhere

Jacobsmum1973 · 06/04/2015 10:15

Not a prevalent as tax avoidance/evasion.

VirginiaTonic · 06/04/2015 10:16

Why can't people be outraged at both?