Sister committing benefit fraud

[Namechange1987]

I'll start by saying I work in benefits - the fraud department. My job is to investigate people like my sister. She has been on benefits for 2 years since her DD was born, she has worked on and off - she never admitted this to me but I know through several other people she's been doing cash in hand work. (Never told benefits before of course though)

Anyway - 4 months ago she moved her new partner in, he works full time earning around 26k, she is refusing to tell benefit organisations and is continuing to get full rent, majority of council tax, income support ect.

I have constantly said to her 'you have until 1st august' ect to tell them, she hasn't and says she won't as 'why shouldn't I get benefits I don't go to work' no, she has never paid tax but she is 'entitled to do this'

Would I be unreasonable to write in to benefits pretending to be her and letting them no he has moved in? I really don't want to report her for fraud as it may look like I've helped her to do this..

Any advice would be greatly appreciated. I can't stand her booking holidays, buying a new car ect with money supposed to help people who genuinely need it. It makes me sick.

AIBU? Should I just keep my nose out of it?

[specialsubject]

'shop' 'dob in'.

FFS. The woman is an entitled thief, and thieving from those who NEED it.

you lot are so worried, you bloody pay to support her criminal arse. I don't want to.

[juneau]

What you do need to do is protect your job. So talk to your manager, tell them what you suspect, then stop worrying about it

Yes, this^

[DinosaursRoar]

But Vixxface - it is the OP's business if it comes out and she loses her job. This isn't something that doesn't effect the OP, it could distroy her family's finanical security.

OP - you have no choice, talk to your manager that you suspect your sister is committing benefit fraud, you can word it that you think she's moved her DP in and not declared it but aren't 100% sure. It would go on record that you raised your concerns so that if she's looked into, you would have raised it. I wouldn't mention the cash in hand work, just that he's moved in and something that was said recently makes you think she's not declared it, but obviously you could be wrong, what does your manager think you should do next...

If you work in benefit fraud, then this is your business. If your sister knows what you do for a living, she must realise she's risking your job, by telling you (and other extended family), she's the one who's caused the problem.

You should be mad at your family for putting you in this position, not them at you for doing what they know you must do given your job.

[Rebecca2014]

So you would all risk causing a huge rift in the family and an broken relationship with your sister that would most likely never heal?

[Namechange1987]

Thanks everyone, I'm going to speak to my line manager when I'm next in the office. Although based on the fact he is living with her, it's quite clear I would know this for a fact, it's not something I could be 'unsure of' I also know it would not be hard to prove if she's investigated. I've text her and told her she has until Monday morning when I'm in office to do it herself or I will. She will not go to jail, I do know that.
She is my sister but I have a duty to my children to not lose my job in order for my sister to unlawfully sponge from the government.

[juneau]

Good for you OP

[DinosaursRoar]

Rebecca - would you say the sister had caused a rift if the OP loses her job, or would the Op be expected to take that on the chin and not be allowed to get upset that her sister did this to her?

If the sister is prepared to let the OP lose her job in order that the sister can have a bit more money she's not entitled to, then is that a relationship that's worth protecting? Is this someone who cares about the OP's wellbeing?

[sparkleup]

Good for you OP, I know this is a difficult situation but you're right, you have a duty to your family too

[DinosaursRoar]

oh and Monday is a good deadline OP - give her a last chance, but do it on Monday. Be sure to 'get in first' with extended family/your parents and say that she was risking your job, she'll probably whinge that you've forced her hand and it's your fault she's struggling financially etc...

[Shutthatdoor]

Good OP for you

[Boleh]

I think when you speak to your manager, taking the approach that you know he is living there but you are 'unsure' whether she's declared it as a result of something she said recently - as suggested upthread is entirely sensible.
It would be perfectly reasonable for you to have assumed she would have declared his moving in, like any sensible person, unless she'd told you otherwise.

[MrsLupo]

OP, why don't you write two letters, one from her declaring her changed circumstances, and one from you reporting her for fraud, and then take them to her and ask her to read them both and choose which one she wants sent.

Shitty situation.

[19lottie82]

I'm sorry but I would never grass up a member of my immediate family, that's just wrong.

[Bubblesinthesummer]

I'm sorry but I would never grass up a member of my immediate family, that's just wrong

A) it is the OPs job
B) the OP would lose her job and she has her own family to think about.
C) the sister is committing fraud which is illegal and basically stuck her fingers up at the OP when she spoke to her about it.

[Lweji]

First, I'd check that you are expected to report even close family members. What does your contract, job regulations say specifically.

If so, then, it take the forms, fill them and tell her to sign them or you'd ring there and then.
But don't issue an ultimatum you're not prepared to carry out.

[skyfullofstars010708]

OP how do you know for sure she won't go to jail?

[ConstanceMarkYaBitch]

you have no idea the harm you could bring to your sister if you did report her. It could tear your extended family apart, especially if she got into big trouble (jail)

Surely then the person bringing the harm and wrecking the family would be the one committing the crime, and not the person reporting the person committing the crime?

You seem to have your blame-meter pointing the wrong way.

[murmuration]

You can be sure he moved in, but unsure if she has reported it.

[trulybadlydeeply]

19lottie82 You would never "grass up" a member of your family? So theft is ok? What other illegal activities are ok? Burglary? GBH?

The OPs sister is obtaining significant sums of money that she is not entitled to. This is a crime. She is not doing it to make ends meet, she is working, plus has a partner on a decent salary, and is effectively stealing the money to fund holidays, car etc. She is stealing from you, from me, and every other tax payer.

[ChazsBrilliantAttitude]

All of those saying the OP shouldn't report her sister, what about the harm to her etc.

How many of you think that her sister will step in and support the OP if she loses her job for failing to report her sister. How easy to you think it will be for the OP to get another job if she is sacked for misconduct? The OP has nothing to gain by reporting her sister but a hell of a lot to lose if she doesn't do it.

[Pepperpot99]

You should definitely report her. She is breaking th law and putting your career in jeopardy. She is exploiting your family loyalty. If it comes out that you knew, you would be regarded as complicit in her fraud.

[DinosaursRoar]

Family loyalty works both ways - the OP's sister doesn't seem to care that her illegal actions could not just effect her, but her sister. It's not "just" that she's stealing from the tax payer and committing fraud, I personally think that behaving in a way that risks her sister's livelyhood and making no attempt to hide that is morally far worse than the original crime.

[TheBitchOfDestiny]

[Whippet2]

By writing in you would be committing fraud and would definitely lose your job if they found out. Report her, what she is doing is morally and legally wrong.

[guajiraguantanamera]

You have to report her. Why should she get everything paid for while every other tax payer has to pay over the odds for rent/mortgage, council tax etc..