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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

AIBU to report her for benefit fraud...

267 replies

Bringyourown · 17/08/2018 18:42

Very long story short. Person I know has been claiming benefits for at least 7 years I've known her.
Now this is a case of sour grapes, she misrepresented herself to me and basically used me for all she could get out of me, and me being stupid and gullible and so happy that someone liked me that I gave her everything I could.
I've been stewing on this for months and my mental health has broken down to the point I just can't get out of bed. I have nothing and nobody left.
She is a dog walker/boarder, horse trader and now a scrap metal merchant.
Should I report her or should I just put it down to experience?

OP posts:
pasttimes11 · 17/08/2018 21:50

. The horrendous hoops people who actually NEED and are entitled to state help now have to jump through is because of the fraud in the system
Is it hell. Fraud has fuck all to do with people having to jump through hoops to get their benefits. The government have purposely made a system to deter people from even trying to get money. Universal Credit is an absolute nightmare and the hardships it causes are incalculable.

It's absolutely nothing to do with fraud and all to do with the government not giving a fuck and relinquishing their responsibility towards vulnerable people in our society.

MrsChollySawcutt · 17/08/2018 21:54

So you have reported this woman for benefit fraud. Now what? How is this helping you get yourself out of bed?

sweetsomethings · 17/08/2018 21:54

Pastimes are you the OPs friend seen as this is the only post you have ever commented on ?

pasttimes11 · 17/08/2018 21:55

Sorry sweetsomethings i don't understand your post, where did i say anything about assaulting people?

sweetsomethings · 17/08/2018 21:57

You said it was ok to commit a crime as others have done it . So I changed the example of fraud to assault both crimes both not acceptable .

pasttimes11 · 17/08/2018 21:58

Been on here for 6 years sweetsomethings, just coincidence i posted after i'd changed my user name. Why did you bother checking? Confused

pasttimes11 · 17/08/2018 22:00

No i mentioned the government because they are two faced, They should lead by example.Your anology doesn't apply.

ilovesooty · 17/08/2018 22:03

I don't think the OP gives a flying fuck about the actual benefit situation. She's seemingly looking to report this woman because she wants to make her unhappy. Perhaps she feels better now she's done it and satisfied her desire to lash out.

pasttimes11 · 17/08/2018 22:03

Btw i didn't say it was okay to commit a crime at all. I've been talking about reporting someone for a "crime". There has been no proof of any crime. Stop with the conjecture.

sweetsomethings · 17/08/2018 22:05

Anyway OP you done the right thing and I hope you feel better soon. If she has been committing fraud for 7 years it’s not your doing what happens to her but her own. You maybe have given others strength to do the same and by some on the comments on here have a few others worrying . So maybe will help change their ways. Take care OP

sweetsomethings · 17/08/2018 22:11

Pastimes I’m pretty sure the OP has proof to believe what she does after being friends with her for 7 years and again if she is innocent she has nothing to worry about. As a few people have stated her benefits wouldn’t be stoppped unless they have proof and as you failed to tell me where I could read many examples of innocents getting no money after wrongly being accused.

BigBumandMumTum · 17/08/2018 22:11

My benefits weren't stopped while I was investigated but the reporter made 2 big mistakes in their report that made it instantly obvious it was just malicious.

StoneofDestiny · 17/08/2018 22:12

It is very easy for people to hate poor people. Thing about all the tax evaders (e.g. Gary Barlow, Jimmy Car) who cheat the state out of far more money but because they are wealthy nobody hates them

Who is talking about hating the poor ~ or even the rich?

People are talking about recognising benefit fraud as theft, just as tax evasion is theft. It's taking money you are not entitled to and depriving the rightful recipients of it i.e. the NHS and other public services AND genuine claimants. Hate doesn't come in to it.

Report it - it will be investigated. If there is no case to answer that will be the end of it.

fontofnoknowledge · 17/08/2018 22:13

Have some of you been on the gin tonight because there is some fucking weird logic around !

So, MPs defrauding expenses = not reporting others who steal from the state. ? Isn't that the embodiment of two wrongs don't make a right ??

The horrendous hoops now in place for disability has nothing to do with previous fraud ? Grow up. I can assure you it's exactly why it was changed. Over the three decades I prosecuted benefit fraud by far the greatest benefit scammed was DLA. By about 5x the other benefits. Even greater than housing benefit.
IF there hadn't been the issue with disability benefits, IF it had only been claimed by those entitled - then there wouldn't have been the huge expensive change in the system to reform it. Reform costs millions. It wouldn't have happened for the sheer fun of it ! Very naive and 'conspiracy theorist' to believe otherwise .

Scamming one benefit doesn't just stop there either. Entitlement to one benefit often passports on to others. Dla (now PIP) mobility leads to motorbility vehicles , free insurance, tax etc... disability premiums on housing benefit.. entitlement for another adult to claim carers allowance and income support and housing benefit for looking after someone lying about their disability.

It's not a 'small fraud' an average dla/pip fraud cost is over £100k with all the add ons.
Personally I don't want that money going to someone who doesn't deserve it - because I really believe in the welfare state and am proud to live in a country that has a system that supports those in need. It's the scammers who will tear it apart for those who are in genuine need.

WhatAnAbsolutePenis · 17/08/2018 22:16

You haven't actually said how she's committing this fraud.

And you're posts are very descriptive but don't actually say that she's done anything wrong at all.

There's absolutely no explanation of anything despite all the many words you chose to use.
I wonder what her side of this is?

LaurieMarlow · 17/08/2018 22:16

Needy people aren't deprived because of benefit fraud. There are set rates, they don't drop down because of fraud.

Are you really this obtuse? Hmm

When people fraudulently claim, there is less money in the kitty for the people who need it. Eventually that will have an impact on the rates paid out to genuine claimants/money for NHS/social services/etc.

It's not a bottomless pit.

HeckyPeck · 17/08/2018 22:18

Revenge is not a nice feeling. It will haunt you. Don't do it.

I haven’t RTFT, but just have to say this isn’t always true. I got my own back on a truly awful ex and it felt brilliant. And still does. Smile

LaurieMarlow · 17/08/2018 22:19

MPs abusing the expenses system and/or corporations taking advantage of tax loopholes do not justify benefit fraud.

It's logic fail central here tonight.

Hayles88 · 17/08/2018 22:31

If she is illegally claiming benefits you must report her. It is unfair for others to fund her lifestyle if she has other means to support herself. Benefits are for those who are in need, not someone who earns under the table and wants some extra money.

I've been a single parent on benefits, it should be a short term means of support, (unless health issues, disability or caring duties are involved) not a long term solution. Im now a high rate tax payer with 2 jobs and see a couple of acquaintances earning cash in hand for jobs at £15 an hour whilst claiming full benefits. It isn't fair, it puts people who need and deserve the help in a constant state of judgement by others. For every fraudulent claim there are many fighting to get the benefits and disability top ups they really deserve.

I think if the solid proof or knowledge is there we all have to report people fraudulently claiming. It's such a shame the few who are bed up making it a nightmare for those who really are in need.

If you're certain it should be investigated then do what is right.

pasttimes11 · 17/08/2018 22:34

Laurie you do realise that there are millions go unclaimed every year. and the kitty isn't going to dwindle because of benefit fraud. The money set aside for benefits won't dwindle with or without fraudulent claims.The government is actually saving billions because of Universal credit, PIP, bedroom tax, unjustified sanctions and all the other disgusting ways they've thought up to deprive needy people of their money. That's where the problem lies.

Hayles88 · 17/08/2018 22:35

*end not bed ... Clearly autocorrect has realised I need more sleep.

pasttimes11 · 17/08/2018 22:37

laurie you really think the failing NhS is or is going to, be impacted because of benefit fraud? Shock

LaurieMarlow · 17/08/2018 22:39

pastimes benefit fraud deprives the exchequer of money that could be used for other things. Why do you find that so hard to understand? Confused

pasttimes11 · 17/08/2018 22:45

am proud to live in a country that has a system that supports those in need. It's the scammers who will tear it apart
No it isn't the scammers who will tear it apart, it's this conservative government, and it's doing a damn good job of it. How can anyone be proud of a country that allows so many vulnerable people to become homeless, cut off without a penny, often through no fault of their own.

God help the vulnerable, the poor, the disabled of this country, because the government don't give a toss.

pasttimes11 · 17/08/2018 22:51

No it doesn't deprive the treasury, because the money is there anyway. If they weren't fraudung they'd still have to pay it out. Don't just pick on me, there's loads of others that don't agree with reporting people for allegedly frauding. That is my main issue, i don't agree with reporting people, usually with no proof. But then i have empathy for people who might have their world turned upside down by people who rightly or wrongly believe them to be on the fiddle. We shouldn't assume.