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AIBU?

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Original poster

Reporting benefit fraud

246 replies

Pandemicfundswhattodo · 12/04/2021 06:59

Have nc'd for this.

Have you ever reported benefit fraud? Would you report covid-19 financial fraud (getting support when not needed and having to lie to do this)?

Sadly worried about karma as we are always told to "not tell tales" but this family have received thousands in help from the government over the last year and have been claiming UC fraudulently as well.

Before anyone asks ... yes we do know the above are facts. Would you even think twice?

Also there is no need for me to be worried about karma as have never claimed anything fraudulently so that feeling has no need to be there, it is just me feeling guilty!

OP posts:
Morgan12 · 12/04/2021 07:55

Or you could just mind your own business.

LetItGoHome · 12/04/2021 08:00

It would only be stopped with reasonable grounds to investigate. If people don't report how can we keep the money (that isn't a bottomless pit) to those who need it most?

Rubyupbeat · 12/04/2021 08:04

I have done and would do it again. It wasn't being spiteful, it was the two fingers up to all who work for a living and the beasts of which benefits this person was claiming.
I did it online, it was investigated and the person was prosecuted. Basically as thick as s**t, because it was all on her facebook, which is unbelievable!

Rubyupbeat · 12/04/2021 08:04

Boasts not beast

MiaowMiaow99 · 12/04/2021 08:05

What is this, honour amongst thieves?

OP the fraud report line is there for a reason. As long as you're not being malicious, do it.

Northernsoullover · 12/04/2021 08:05

I wouldn't if they have children. It happened to a friend. Whilst investigating they suspended all their payments and made it difficult to feed the family. It took weeks to resolve.

drpet49 · 12/04/2021 08:07

Yes I would report without a doubt.

Iminaglasscaseofemotion · 12/04/2021 08:07

I'm really interested to know how you know this and how they are managing to fraudulently claim thousands of pounds? Can you explain?

PyjamaFan · 12/04/2021 08:08

Report. They are stealing from the rest of us.

peak2021 · 12/04/2021 08:09

I have never done so but would do so in your shoes.

It is a pity that government systems are so disjointed that the kind of fraud you describe can happen.

zigaziga · 12/04/2021 08:10

I wouldn’t hesitate to report benefit fraud.

MrsTreglowan · 12/04/2021 08:11

How do you know all this, have you seen bank statements and letters?

Iminaglasscaseofemotion · 12/04/2021 08:13

And no, I wouldn't report. The percentage of fraudulent aims is absolutely tiny. Something like 1%. I wish more people knew how to or managed to scare the system, then maybe there wouldn't be so many people in the UK living in poverty, relying on foodbanks and turning to crime.

Iwantacookie · 12/04/2021 08:13

Not a chance. You have no idea about their finances only what they tell you.
Their UC would stop while it was investigated. That could mean every penny they get stopped.
Worry about the Torys giving millions to their friends instead.

EmeraldShamrock · 12/04/2021 08:13

but this family have received thousands in help from the government over the last year and have been claiming UC fraudulently as well.
If both are government payments they'll be caught soon anyway.
I personally wouldn't. Sometimes I'm envious and although it's stealing the government have enough employees to investigate.
The one I'm describing put everything including dinner on their public fb profile if anyone checked they'd see they've a mam earning living with them.

RonObvious · 12/04/2021 08:13

If there’s kids involved, then I wouldn’t report.

EmeraldShamrock · 12/04/2021 08:13

*man

Countrygirl2021 · 12/04/2021 08:14

No. I keep well out of other peoples lives.

I mean where do you draw the line on this? If you see someone stealing a car do you call the police? What if they steal a handbag or attack someone?

All theft.

I can't believe how many people would report Shock

Iminaglasscaseofemotion · 12/04/2021 08:16

*scam, not scare!

Vursayles · 12/04/2021 08:18

I’d report it, cheeky shits, and I wouldn’t feel at all guilty. It’s taking money away from those who really need it. Like it or not there are rules we have to abide by in civilised society and this is something you just don’t do.

Countrygirl2021 · 12/04/2021 08:20

*wouldn't report

seashells11 · 12/04/2021 08:21

I'd keep out of it. If they are they'll probably get caught anyway but don't be the cause of another families hardship.

gorillalegs · 12/04/2021 08:21

Always the same on these threads. So many people who would ignore. Makes you wonder what else they'd turn a blind eye to. Benefit fraud is theft, taking public money that you're not entitled to is theft. It makes a mockery of those who really need it. I relied heavily on tax credits as a single parent. The very same day my now fiancé moved in I rang up and cancelled them. It would have been easy to just 'forget' about it for a few months and get an extra few hundred quid in my pocket but I couldn't have slept at night. It baffles me how many people can. It's just really scummy in my opinion.

Op if you are certain then do it. If you are proven to be wrong then that will be uncovered and the investigation closed. So it's a no brainier really.

GlitterGiraffe13 · 12/04/2021 08:21

You're on shaky ground here I think.

If you're 100% based on what you've seen on facebook/Instagram then it's arguable that you don't know the full facts
If you're 100% because you've seen their bank accounts/bank statements then the question will (rightly) be raised as to how you came to see this private information..

Secondly would they be able to easily figure out that its you? If so are you comfortable having that discussion with them when they confront you?

Hophopandaway · 12/04/2021 08:21

Do it. The dwp will easily be able to work out if it is true once you have alerted them. It is stealing from taxpayers.

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