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?

Assuming you mean holidays in the UK rather than staycations?

A staycation (a portmanteau of "stay" and "vacation"), or holistay (a portmanteau of "holiday" and "stay"), is a period in which an individual or family stays home and participates in leisure activities within day trip distance of their home and does not require overnight accommodation.

@Lalaloveyou2020

Nope. The worst thing that happened to the UK was buying into the whole Rupert Murdoch benefit fraud class war. If you want to get angry about people stealing from the masses focus your ire on Amazon Starbucks Apple etc Focus on the Tory government whose friends have all profited massively from the covid crisis. They've already capped child benefit for workers and we sat back and took it. What would you do if she gets reported, they break up, and then she's living on the breadline. Will it then make you happy to see her suffer? I prescribe a healthy dose of The Guardian. Put down your Daily Mail.

Exactly this.

The entire welfare bill, fraudulent or genuine, is only a fraction of the bill of unpaid corporation tax from companies we all use daily.

@namechanged102

They have confirmed that she is claiming as a single parent. I'm not jealous, I would much rather lead an honest life and work hard for the things I have. It just seems unfair and it is actually fraud.

Of course you're not...

If you're so outraged about the pittance she's taking from the benefits post whilst she's working out where her relationship is going, before making herself and her child reliant on this man financially, why did you need to name change and ask the internet?

Surely you would've just got on with it quietly?

*Benefits pot

Yes absolutely report her

I don't faithfully and honestly pay my tax for some scrounger to cheat the system

Yes I would. It's stealing from all of us.

If she goes down as in a relationship and they make a joint claim they would only receive around 250 less a month.
I’d wonder if it’s worth reporting, losing a friend and potentially letting her kids go hungry over this amount, maybe talk to them and see if you can convince them if they are found out it’ll be a dire situation for them all.

Oh ignore me you said he does earn! Different kettle of fish.

Have to say that she's walking a tightrope if she's honestly telling people she is defrauding the system.

It's just a matter of time until someone reports her.

They’re stealing from you, the NHS, the schools, the care system, the elderly and disabled. It’s crime.

I pay my taxes and I'm saying don't report her. If you wouldn't make that phonecall right in front of her then don't do it.
I never got this obsession of kicking downwards? Save your anger for those above you who cheat the system of millions.

All the ones saying yes I take you would also report Tax Evasion or is it avoidance.
We can’t one one set of rules for “dole heads” and another for billion superiors now
can we

I wouldn’t do it to my worse enemy but doing it or even thinking of doing to a friend is a low blow.

Report.

Nope. But it always catches up with them in the end. So I would pray for them to realise the error of their ways and make amends before it impacts on the children involved.

Yep, and I have done twice. Especially knowing how genuine claimants have to jump through hoops.
Plus, those subletting council properties, disgusting!

Yes always, regardless of who they were. It is stealing.Also immoral as then there is less for those who really need it.

Years ago I was a fraud investigator [not DHSS etc]. Although people did report frauds in practice the reporter does not know the details and the claims would be found legitimate.

I would say that perhaps 3 out of 10 reported cases were fraudulent. Background checks will be done and if the case is dropped the person will never know.

@namechanged102

@awlookatmybabyspider
First of all 'doleheads' what an insulting term. And the ones claiming fraudulently are not those entitled to it.
Yes, I would report tax evasion and cash in hand, it disgusts me all equally.

What @AdventureCode said.

'NOBODY LIKES A GRASS'
Well you can bugger right off with that.
Why the hell should I work my arse off to help support someone who is too fucking lazy to work? (And what's more, probably has more disposable income than me.)
Where do you think benefits come from - Father Christmas?
That kind of attitude pisses me right off.
I'd love to be able to think of retiring in five years or so - my job is very stressful and I'm riddled with arthritis. I just can't afford to.

Depends whether you know for absolute sure he lives there permanently and how long for? Because if its a new relationship he may not actually be living there or she may be in the process of reporting it.

Nope

@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?

If this is true and I do not believe it is.. what a horrible toxic person you are mate

Tell her you’re going to report her - because you’re an honest person. Then report her.