To think reporting someone to dwp for going on holiday is ridiculous?

[CactusJelly00]

As it doesn't actually mean they're hiding income!
It's happened to someone I know; and she's now in the unfortunate situation of having some of her money stopped while everything is investigated and being treated like a criminal, as someone has reported her for having undeclared income.... because she went on holiday!
Aibu to think this is a ridiculous reason to report someone?
They know who's done it and why, but now she still has to prove herself to the DWP and I just think it's awful that someone's reported her for that.
Would anybody report someone for that? I just can't understand it.

Also - why isn't it an offence to make these malicious reports? Why aren't those people dealt with?

Graphista indeed, since its costing the TAX PAYER for all these malious reports.

let's forget about the people on the receiving end of these malious reports, people are not bothered about them.

But they are bothered about people steeling their taxes straight out of their HARD EARNED WAGES.

So yes why are the people who make malious reports not vilified, prosecuted or fined? They are costing YOU THE TAX PAYER!

Graphista - Why aren't malicious allegations looked at ? They are . I've been out of mainstream benefit fraud for two years but when I left less than 1:50 allegations were being investigated. Since then the fraud investigation service has had its numbers slashed by a third in government cost cutting exercises - so it will be less than that now .

graphista
I agree there is a disproportionate level of journalism on looking at benefit claimants.
And I totally agree that reports should be assessed for validity first. I am horrified to hear that benefits are stopped, just on the say so of a malicious neighbour before investigation. It's cruel, and goes against our principles of fairness and justice.

I will preface this by saying that I do claim benefits. Benefits that I have been proven to be entitled to. DLA/PIP and UC (disability part of it)

I have never been on a holiday. Would I judge someone who has and claimed benefits? No!
Even though I am not doing anything illegal I live with the constant worry that someone will report me for benefit fraud.
I only knew one person who delibretly frauded the system when I was a child and that was my stepfather. (Claimed for a bad back and wasnt disabled) I considered when I was 18 reporting him but, I didnt because, I didnt want my siblings to suffer.

I live with the constant feeling that I dont deserve my benefits. Despite learning that I have a rare genetic condition. Despite the fact I have a serious long standing heart condition and despite the fact that I have serious mental health problems. Even now I feel guilt. I feel undeserving.

I also know two people who work for the DWP under fraud. They never discuss the cases they are investigating.

The media and the Tories have done a lot to stir up hatred and resentment towards people on benefits. Its sad.

If they're signing on, they're supposed to declare holidays I never did.

Thank you Ted27 - it does look lovely and we are so looking forward to it. And actually, I think the looking forward to it is the best bit of all, the thought of just a little bit of time away from all the bleakness, the struggling and the drudgery can be what keeps you going at times. That people openly begrudge you that just sickens me.

Rhodes does look beautiful, Lindos in particular.. One day, I hope.

Wales and `Brighton - great choice, I love both. I hope you have a fantastic time.

Kittens I'm sorry but that's REALLY not been my experience. The times I was reported they would have had NO evidence even for a "suspicion" let alone anything else. I've never lived frivolously and don't even have a car (can't drive due to meds) the reports were blatantly and obviously malicious yet the reaction by dwp every time was as if I HAD done something wrong.

ALSO because the nature of life is such that people with similar incomes end up living in same areas I've know it happen to several other people too - most reports are made by bitter exes - and then you BARELY get an apology from dwp after MONTHS of no income driving you further into debt and worsening health - mental and physical. But hey, we're only benefit claimants so wtf do we matter? Let alone our DC!

I notice you've been unable to provide ANY evidence of investigation or even prosecution of those that make malicious reports.

You say the dept has been cut YET there's still approx 10 X more civil servants assigned to investigating benefit fraud than tax fraud - yet investigating, prosecuting for tax fraud would be a deterrent and more profitable for the country - so hmm the policies aren't as "fair" as is claimed!

I just tried googling "prosecuted for making malicious benefit fraud report" NOT ONE report matching - PLENTY of articles on benefit fraud and people who've been accused, prosecuted for it though!

If claiming too ill/sick to work but can go away then it's a bit suspect etc.

We seem to have come a long time since the days when doctors recommended patients to go into the countryside or abroad for a change of air, and when charitable people would collect money to enable workers to do the same.

I only knew one person who delibretly frauded the system when I was a child and that was my stepfather. (Claimed for a bad back and wasnt disabled) I considered when I was 18 reporting him but, I didnt because, I didnt want my siblings to suffer.

Not excusing fraud at all, but depending on his age this might have been something he was encouraged to do. When the unemployment figures were really high lots of people were shifted onto sick benefits. It's where the assumption that there's lots of people pretending to have bad backs myth (not saying your SF wasn't at it) comes from because back when loads of people were put on it for really spurious reasons. It made the unemployment figures look better.

If claiming too ill/sick to work but can go away then it's a bit suspect etc.

I had an argument with someone about this the other day. The criteria for claiming ESA is about having limited capability for work, not being unable to work. That doesn’t necessarily mean you are too ill to travel or, heaven forbid, enjoy life.

Someone can be eligible for contribution based ESA with savings by virtue of the fact that they meet the criteria and have paid sufficient NI contributions. Should they not claim it because they can afford not to? Should you not claim on house/car/health insurance if you can afford to pay the bill yourself?

I don't understand the thought process behind claiming people too ill to work should be too ill to go away. Holidays and work aren't at all similar.

I'm not sure what y'all do at work, but I know when I go to work, I don't lie by a pool sipping pina coladas all day.

I could understand, to an extent, adventure type holidays being an issue if you're on disability benefits for mobility problems but beyond that, it confuses me.

Every time there is a reporting benefit fraud thread, the same old rubbish is trotted out about benefit being stopped whilst an investigation is conducted.
As a Benefit Fraud Investigator, I can assure everyone, that Benefit is only suspended if irrefutable evidence is held. For example, if someone's bank account has over £16,000 in it or they are currently working and haven't declared it. If there is an allegation of living together or doubtful disability, evidence has to be gathered over a period of time, often months, before a claimant is called in for an interview. Even then, benefit is not stopped until a referral to a Decision Maker results in it being disallowed, unless of course, the claimant admits the offence at interview.
Regarding holidays abroad, benefit is not affected for a short period abroad unless the claimant is getting Jobseekers Allowance. With Jobseekers, the claimant has to be available to start work immediately and they would not be were the abroad. This is a very old piece of legislation that hasn't kept up with the internet etc

Thank you for that PUER, would you care to explain why our benefits were stopped whilst we were under investigation then? No wrongdoing or evidence of any wrongdoing.

PUER125
Google ''benefits are stopped while under investigation'' and look at the top results;

Benefit fraud - GOV.UK
www.gov.uk/benefit-fraud
Your benefit may be stopped while you're investigated.

''If your benefit's been stopped or you're asked to confirm some facts, it doesn't always mean you're being investigated for fraud. Often, it's just to check you're getting the right amount of money.''

www.citizensadvice.org.uk/benefits/benefits-introduction/problems-with-benefits-and-tax-credits/you-think-youre-being-accused-of-benefit-fraud/

Peoples benefits can be stopped, and they are then guilty until proven innocent.

Bollocks is it not stopped. Housing Benefit for one example is one that gets suspended at the drop of the hat because the wind changed direction.

As a Benefit Fraud Investigator, I can assure everyone, that Benefit is only suspended if irrefutable evidence is held

Why are you lying? Because we know you are. Either about being a benefit fraud investigator and claiming to know what happens or you are a benefits investigator who knows what happens are are lying about it.

Benefits are stopped without 'irrefutable' evidence. Of course they are. If that wasn't the case all investigations would lead to prosecutions.
They don't.
WTF has over 16k in the bank account got to do with ESA and DLA/PIP?
Shocking as it is to the 'disabled people must be poor or they are not disabled' crew, you can have 100,000k in the bank and still get both.
Though why anyone would put themselves through the humiliation to claim them is beyond me.
I am playing Euromillions for one reason, if I win I can tell DWP to fuck off and leave my OH alone.

Mrs D V, I am not in the habit of lying. During an investigation,I would only request that someone's benefit be suspended as I have stated earlier.
Capital exceeding £16,000 does affect Income related E S A.

If you are not lying you are under informed considering your profession.
16k income doesn't affect non income related ESA and it doesn't affect PIP.

You have stated that benefits are not stopped unless there is irrefutable evidence.
That is clearly not the case so why would you claim it?

There are several of us on this thread who are aware of cases where benefits have been suspended.
As the benefits have eventually been reinstated how does that fit in with your 'irrefutable' evidence?
Have all your cases ended with the claimant being found guilty of fraudulent activity?

A friend has just retired from the fraud section due to ill health. By just retired, I mean last month; so I 'phoned her. Benefits are stopped; frequently. They investigate as many allegations as they can and no, they don't put it all down to spite and maliciousness until they get multiple accusations from one or two people regarding one person e.g.when they know it's a spiteful ex and his/her mate. They do not wait for more or less irrefutable evidence before investigating, only if actually going out to watch someone. So that goes against everything you've said Puer. Interesting.

"Bollocks is it not stopped. Housing Benefit for one example is one that gets suspended at the drop of the hat because the wind changed direction." This with BELLS on!

It's happened to me, it's happened to relatives and friends. And certainly in my own case every time NOTHING suspicious, did NOTHING wrong.

I too am very sceptical you are in the profession you claim. If you are you're extremely unaware of how others in your profession behave.

Housing benefit is stopped with any change in circumstances. And as it's also paid in arrears, those start to mount fast. Benefits being stopped is now a major cause of rent arrears.

It’s not usually just the one thing which sparks a report though is it? I have a friend who has been reported multiple times (not by me I should add). She’s a good friend and I know the ins and outs of it and that she’s never committed any fraud. But she does have wealthy and generous parents. They buy a lot of clothes and gadgets for their daughter and grandchildren, they take them on holiday and she has access to a brand new and expensive car. She has use of their Waitrose and JL accounts. The way her parents see it they have paid more than enough into the system their daughter benefits from.

Even though she’s done nothing wrong I’m not sure I blame the people who’ve reported her. She has a lifestyle most people who work can’t afford. I understand why people would think something underhand was going on. I’m actually pretty sure one of the people who reported her is on benefits themselves which is why they were so suspicious, they knew benefits couldn’t stretch that far. I can understand why people who are often going through very hard times themselves feel very resentful of those who might be cheating the system when they themselves are being honest and suffering.

I think it's downright shitty to report someone unless you are 100% sure they are cheating.