To ask if you would report benefit fraud?

[namechanged102]

Name changed.

Me and DP have a friend who recently reconciled with his ex. She was a single parent who hasn't worked because she had her first DC young.

Said friend does earn and has moved in with her, however she is still claiming as a single parent and pretty much everything is paid for - rent, council tax reduction etc.

They seem to be living such a comfortable lifestyle, they recently got a new car and have had numerous staycations. I feel like it isn't any of my business what they get up to, but me and DH work full time and still can't afford anywhere near the lifestyle that they lead. It just seems a bit shit.

AIBU?

I wouldn't, I don't believe in it - I just don't give headspace to it

Wouldn't report anyone flouting Covid regulations either

Yup. Benefit fraud is theft and there's little enough in the pot as there is.

Nope. You’re only considering reporting out of jealousy.

Yup. Cheating the system is cheating us all.

I wouldn't trust an ex not to leave again. Maybe she's scared he will fuck off and leave her with nothing?

Nope

She'd be stupid to cut off her benifits anyway if they've only just recently reconciled.

I tend to look at other people having nice cars and 'numerous staycations' and think "Good luck to them", especially if they're an actual friend.

But then again, the word "friend" often seems to mean something else on Mumsnet, especially if said "friend" is enjoying nice holidays and cars.

*Benefits

Yes you should report them

You only want to do it because you're jealous OP. If it would make you happy to see her suffer the consequences then crack on. Being her friend you can see it in full glorious effect

Yes, other people’s taxes pay for it and it’s theft. Not reporting is no different to watching a house break in and doing nothing imo.

So because you are jealous of their lifestyle you are going to report them.
You sound really horrible tbh.
It's non of your business, give up your job and live like them then, if it's so much better.
You have the same choice, but you wouldn't, lol.

Report. It’s not like they can’t live still live together, he will just need to start pulling his weight financially like everyone else does. Why should he get to live rent free courtesy of tax payers?

Absolutely report her, I and many like me don't work all hours to fund people like her.

Nobody likes a grass.

Absolutely report her, I and many like me don't work all hours to fund people like her

Yes you do

@TheChiefJo

Nobody likes a grass.

They really should make these boards 16+

Yes. Our children are going to be paying shed loads of taxes to make up for the whole Covid mess, let alone theft like this.

Oh and those defending defrauding the system, are probably at it themselves

How do you know she's claiming as a single person?

As a moral issue it should be reported but many people wouldn't report it.

You are only wanting to report them because you have noticed their new car and staycations that you can't afford yourself, not because they are committing fraud. You do sound jealous and a bit bitter, I'm glad you aren't my "friend".
If you go ahead and report them would you continue to be friends with them and console them when they get caught or own up and say you reported them?

These threads all 11 million of them nearly always boil down to jealousy parading as 'wanting to do the right thing'.

They tend to make the OP look far worse in my eyes than the 'friend' claiming what they're not entitled to.

I do genuinely think I'd rather be a benefits cheat than a green-eyed two-faced monster who could look my 'friend' in the eye, listen to all their financial business and then secretly report them because I'm eaten up inside about their new car and holidays.

And if I ever did decide to report someone, I'd cut out the obligatory Mumsnet thread and the virtue signalling.

It’s fraud however you look at it.

You don't know the whole truth. One of my neighbours was claiming whilst telling benefits that her and her sons dad were separated but living at the same address. He was financially abusive and spent all money on drugs and gambling. She was saving money to leave him.

Just dont do it.

Yes I would.

Yes, I’ve worked in benefits.
It’s fraud, it’s a crime, why would you not report it.