AIBU?
To contemplate reporting someone for possible benefit fraud? WWYD?
WWYDhey · 30/11/2019 12:16
So there’s this girl I know. Not a close friend but someone I know and would say hi to in the street. We are Facebook friends. I know a bit about her through mutual friends.
She is claiming as a single parent of two kids but her boyfriend lives with her. Full time. They have actually just become engaged and she is pregnant. He has 3 kids to someone else with which he sees 2 of them every other week.
He is ‘unemployed’ but I believe he works full time for cash in hand. (Some kind of joinery or building work)
What has made me consider reporting her (if that’s something you can even do??) is that she spends all her ‘free’ money on weekly hair up appointments, professional make up done. New nails etc (we all know this as she documents everything on Facebook) always out at restaurants and nights out. Almost like she is bragging.
Doesn’t look like she spends much on her kids. They always look a bit scruffy and bored in her photos. (Think tops that look too small or worn out)
And now that she’s pregnant she’s uploading loads of expensive purchases for the baby (ted baker everything, massive pram ordained in Jewell’s)
Now I know some of the replies I will get here will be along the lines of ‘what’s it got to do with you how she spends her money’
- well yes it has nothing to do with me but it is really irritating that I work full time with kids and pay a lot in tax and have to scrimp and save. I don’t get all of the luxuries she does. Yet ina round about way I contribute to it.
‘How do you know she’s on benefits’ our mutual friend knows she is for certain. Plus she works 18 hours per week in a cafe so it’s not rocket science.
So would you report someone claiming as a single parent when she isn’t?
YABU- Dont report her and don’t give it another thought
YANBU- Do report her
If so how would you report anonymously?
Am I being unreasonable?
AIBUYou have one vote. All votes are anonymous.
LolaDabestest · 30/11/2019 12:20
Keep your beak out ffs ...yes it's wrong but so is being bitter it's not a good look. You've paid taxes for years blah blah blah but so has my elderly family member for 60 odd years didn't stop him having disgraceful treatment by the nhs in his final days so that means shit.
WWYDhey · 30/11/2019 12:21
What I forgot to add is that every single week she’s out at a restaurant with her fiancé NEVER with her kids. And she gets her make up done and hair put up for it (tags herself in the beauticians and hairdressers every week) then shows photos of her new look..
She NEVER posts anything about doing fun stuff with her kids. They are never at soft play or farm parks etc. NEVER.
Although she does post pictures of them watching tv or eating dominos etc.
WWYDhey · 30/11/2019 12:25
@barrenfieldoffucks
True point. But I guess I needed to point out the benefits she is fraudulently claiming are not going on the children like they would be intended for.
They are going on her appearance and nights with her fiancé.
So if she was wrongly claiming benefits but it was to give her kids everything they needed I might have a different view.... perhaps
DDIJ · 30/11/2019 12:26
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ColdTattyWaitingForSummer · 30/11/2019 12:29
I don’t know. On the one hand, people playing the system make claiming harder for genuine claimants. On the other, I get disability benefits, I also regularly get my hair blow dried at the hairdresser; what people other than my close friends don’t know is that I struggle to wash it myself safely due to my lack of balance, so I use a percentage of my PIP to pay someone to do it for me. (And not looking like sh1t all the time has done wonders for my mental health as well.)
Thesearmsofmine · 30/11/2019 12:29
How do you know so much about what she is claiming when you aren’t close? I mean you might know what someone has told you but I take gossip with a pinch of salt.
If you were genuinely concerned about her children then that would be a call to social services.
LolaDabestest · 30/11/2019 12:29
My point was fuck them. And no maybe if they had t over populated the country there would be more money for the nhs. Why are you being so resentful of this woman? You seem to know everything she spends on and does and it makes you sound petty. You know nothing fully about her life just hearsay etc you don't know how this would affect her or her kids no need.
90schic · 30/11/2019 12:33
You can go to jail for benefit fraud. I know what she is doing is irritating and wrong, I totally agree with you. But what if she got sent to jail and her kids (albeit bored and scruffy) with her went into care? How would you feel then OP? Sometimes best to just let things slide. Unfair bad stuff happens in the world every day.
PinkiOcelot · 30/11/2019 12:33
You’re always going to get people saying keep your beak out. Mind your own business blah blah. I don’t know why some people take that stance, especially when some people live in poverty or even on the streets. It’s disgusting. It’s stealing!
Yes I would report her!
WWYDhey · 30/11/2019 12:34
@LolaDabestest
She documents everything on Facebook. I think all of her FB friends know about her life.
Resentment as every Saturday without fail she is in a hair salon having an up do and then make up done. Followed by a night out. That’s not a cheap habit.
When many wouldn’t be able to afford those luxuries on even a full time wage.
I am being petty you’re right but I’m not ashamed of that on this occasion.
Awwlookatmybabyspider · 30/11/2019 12:41
You know an awful lot about her to say you’re not “close friends”, and I’m sure she doesn’t tell the world and his wife about what she claims on Facebook.
Why do you want to ruin this family’s Christmas. How will that enhance your life. People do what they have to in order to survive.
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