Suspicious over over neighbours new found money!!

[JKCR2017]

Hi all, I have a neighbour and a friend (although not a close friend as such). A year or so ago she claimed her and her partner were completely broke, barely surviving until pay day every month. They have 4 children, she is a SAHM and her partner works.

So fast forward to now, and they seem to be in a much better financial situation. Which is brilliant for them but they are eating out 4-5 nights a week, go out on an expensive days out with the children every week, new clothes, new shoes (designer), 2 cars, expensive perfume, the kids have everything, holidays etc. She is also the type of person who posts all this on her social media accounts so we all know about it. It just seems very bizarre. I know circumstances change but this seems extreme. Her partner hasn’t changed jobs as far as I’m aware. Like I say, she’s the type of person who posts absolutely everything about her day on social
Media and I am certain I would of heard about it.

Their rent is most likely in the region of £700-£900 pcm based on the other houses on the street.

She’s not a close enough friend to really tlak about it but odd things do come up.

Now really this is has nothing to do with me. But I am wondering if they are either hideously in debt, drug dealers (joking) or its something else. A little while ago they temporarily split up, she kicked him out, he’d to claim benefits, changed the tenancy. They were apart for about 4 months. So I am wondering if she’s still claiming as a single parent getting housing and council tax benefit so they have all this extra cash? He is definitely living there though. It just seems bizarre!

I’m just baffled.

Even single parent benefits and a normal wage wouldn’t buy all that. My parents won £40,000 and certainly didn’t tell the neighbours.

There is nothing worse than nosey neighbours who usually get the wrong end of the stick but spread malicious gossip anyway.

Seriously what business is it of yours?

Trying to do a benefit bashing thread by stealth OP? Must try harder. You just come across as nosy and jealous.

I'm a single mum on benefits (income support etc) I don't get all my rent and council tax paid, it's not like it was a few years ago - and council tax benefit varies by area (in my old city it was fully paid, here it's half)

OP, I don't understand why this is a concern of yours. Maybe unfollow her?

The Kids will know and will be talking about it at school if its any of the ''positive'' explanations. However if it is benefit fraud, they will no doubt remain sullen and withdrawn (if its been discussed at all in front of them), having been told to keep their mouths shut. Our former worker's partner is double dipping, same sort of thing happened, they split up and he went home to Mum who was employing him paying him cash. Partner signed up for the benefit and accommodation allowances for her and the 4 kids, and has never come off it since despite him moving back. Also had his wage with us paid into her bank account so she could monitor what he was up to. Nasty piece of work that one is. I put her in, after all its our taxpayer dollar supporting her lifestyle and choices. The response I received back was my information was only ''speculation''.,.... go figure. As an employer I was having to deduct child support payments, which along with the remaining portion of his income and her benefits/supplements (I'm not in the UK) and they are on a nice earn.

Well aren't you a nosey cow? What on earth business is it of yours?

Wouldn't be benefits buying all that you get capped now at a certain rate, so you can be entitled to so much money but would be affected by the benefit cap and wouldn't actually get the amount you should.

Probably a lottery win or inheritance

It's not really your business but there could be a few reasons for this: inheritance or a job promotion is the most likely one. It's odd that you immediately jump to some type of fraud.

YABU. It's none of your business.

She's selling Aloe Vera.
It's instant wealth, dontcha know!

Oh op have you not been watching Cleaning Up? The drama starring Sheridan Smith.
She has clearly taken note of this and is doing insider dealing.

"Benefit fraud wouldn't buy you all that, probably inheritance."

This!

I'm disabled and on benefits and not far off the max it's possible to claim - I couldn't even come close to affording all this!

If it were round here drug dealing would not be a joke suspicion, but inheritance, lottery or other large gambling win (a local woman won a national bingo prize recently that was a shedload!) would also be entirely possible, also compensation claim come through for a crime or accident they were victims of, won money or some of the new items via competition/s, could be a combination of things:

Pay rise + inheritance + debt paid off.

Yabu it's none of your business!

OP is probably looking in with binoculars!

Is anybody else thinking of Hot Fuzz right now?!

Unless you are the richest person in the World there will always be someone who has more.

I hate the term splashing/flashing the cash. No they are spending their money how they like. Be happy for her and her kids. Wish I could do the same for mine. And am happy for others that can.

How unpleasant. Instead of asking MN maybe ask your neighbour outright if she's a drug dealing benefit fraudster. Maybe she'll be happy to tell you what to do. Maybe she'll tell you to attend to your own concerns rather than hers. Go on, I'm sure she'll have something to say to you.

The OP is phrased so disingenuously. ‘I’m just baffled’ as though it’s innocent curiosity. No, you suspect them of benefit fraud and you want to bitch about them. Don’t pretend otherwise!

I have no problem with benefits if used for genuine reasons. It just seems a huge coincidence how they seem to have a lot more money since her spell of being a single parent, claiming benefits and then he moved back in... with his wage! I know she had to claim benefits at this point as she told all her 500 Facebook friends about it.

I have been a single mother on benefits myself. I am not judging anyone who is a single mother who has to claim benefits. I know how hard it is. But if she is claiming as a single mother but her bloke is living back there bringing in a wage...

She is the type who posts every single thing on her social media, everything apart from why they are living more comfortably. I’ve been friends with her on fb for a few years now..

I know about everything she buys as she posts it all ok Facebook. I’m not in a position to delete or unfollow her. We do speak, our kids go to school together etc.

I think you should mind your own business!!

I know about everything she buys as she posts it all ok Facebook. I’m not in a position to delete or unfollow her.

Just unclick ‘notifications’ on FB and you won’t get any more updates. Simples.

Don't take any notice of people telling you to myob. Only on mn do people say they never ever wonder about stuff that other people get up to. They are lying obviously. If you suspect they are fiddling report it. If they aren't I'm afraid you'll never know how they've got the new found wealth.

None of your business

Cut the crap OP it's pretty obvious you think she's committing benefit fraud and want to see her get her just deserts.

You are no where near her friend.