To consider shopping my ex for benefit fraud

Startagain51 · 2022-08-17T18:43:02+00:00

Ex currently pays no child maintenance as he is on benefits and has DS (15) every other weekend. We finally got divorced earlier this year so I have some insight and evidence in terms of his financial status; so although he claims to be penniless and dependent on benefits, I know he is running his own internet business and that he has a generous pension (although I can't prove how much). I contacted the CMS after the divorce to ask them to reassess him on the grounds of his pension and they have finally said he hasn't declared it to the DWP and as I have no evidence of the amount of pension, my only recourse is to report him for benefit fraud. I don't know what to do. I'm worried about the consequences of 'shopping' him, for me and DS, (Ex has been threatening enough for police involvement in the past, and has refused to see DS for extended periods if he doesn't get his own way). But I'm also struggling like so many, with rising prices and an uncertain income. For context, he is currently on a fortnight's holiday with DS. In a villa with a pool on a Spanish island.

FlyingSaucerss · 17/08/2022 19:48

I asked if I should do this with my ex as similar situation pays no maintenance but getting money in other ways but to cms he isn’t working or claiming benefits, I was told not to by the posters on here so interested to see if you get different responses!

RedHelenB · 17/08/2022 19:56

I doubt you'd get the money.

Diamondsareforever123 · 17/08/2022 20:09

Leave it. It could cause massive repercussions. They'll find him out. I can't understand how they have allowed him benefits when he has a good pension. I thought all earnings had to be declared with bank statements?

Original poster

Startagain51 · 17/08/2022 20:20

He was awarded his benefits before he was awarded his pension. So obviously he just hasn't declared it. In fact I'm fairly sure he delayed sorting out his pension until after the court proceedings for the divorce. He gets a substantial amount for rent which he doesn't pay (according to the bank statements submitted to the court)

OP posts:

Thesefeetaremadeforwalking · 17/08/2022 20:26

So if he is on benefits, how can he afford to look after DS at a w/e ? Or do you send money for that ?

sst1234 · 17/08/2022 20:30

So he’s conning you and the taxpayer. And then people wonder why attitudes have hardened against welfare.

Report him.

sst1234 · 17/08/2022 20:31

Diamondsareforever123 · 17/08/2022 20:09

Leave it. It could cause massive repercussions. They'll find him out. I can't understand how they have allowed him benefits when he has a good pension. I thought all earnings had to be declared with bank statements?

What repercussions? And why is that bad?

DrDetriment · 17/08/2022 20:34

I don't think it is very kind to go out of your way to get your ex a criminal conviction and I don't think your son will thank you for it. Pursue maintenance through the proper channels. Are you trying to get revenge on him for something as you sound quite bitter?

JulesCobb · 17/08/2022 20:36

Diamondsareforever123 · 17/08/2022 20:09

Leave it. It could cause massive repercussions. They'll find him out. I can't understand how they have allowed him benefits when he has a good pension. I thought all earnings had to be declared with bank statements?

What repercussions?

WTF475878237NC · 17/08/2022 20:36

I don't think it is very kind to pretend you can't afford child maintenance.

JulesCobb · 17/08/2022 20:37

DrDetriment · 17/08/2022 20:34

I don't think it is very kind to go out of your way to get your ex a criminal conviction and I don't think your son will thank you for it. Pursue maintenance through the proper channels. Are you trying to get revenge on him for something as you sound quite bitter?

Why should she be kind to an angry selfish man?

FarmerRefuted · 17/08/2022 20:40

Even if you shopped him, I don't think you'd see a penny of the money. Is it likely he'll kick off if he suspects its come from you? That would be deciding factor if it was me - would you potentially be at risk if he was to blame you for it?

whiteroseredrose · 17/08/2022 21:01

Surely they will catch up with him re the pension. It's not like a cash in hand job, every payment will be reported to HMRC.

ClottedCreamAndStrawberries · 17/08/2022 21:07

DrDetriment · 17/08/2022 20:34

I don't think it is very kind to go out of your way to get your ex a criminal conviction and I don't think your son will thank you for it. Pursue maintenance through the proper channels. Are you trying to get revenge on him for something as you sound quite bitter?

I barely know how to respond to such a shitty post. Her ex is treating her disgracefully and not providing for their son, whilst going on luxury holidays. It’s completely his problem if he ends up with a criminal record and @Startagain51 should feel no shame in reporting him.

sst1234 · 17/08/2022 21:10

It never ceases to amaze how MN is full of benefit fraud apologists. All claiming to have the highest morals the rest of the time.

Sunnyqueen · 17/08/2022 21:10

I don't blame you for wanting to but personally I wouldn't. You have to way up if the repurcussions are worth it, he will more than likely know it was you.

Sunnyqueen · 17/08/2022 21:11

Weigh*

Berthatydfil · 17/08/2022 21:14

The Dwp gets information from HMRC every so often and this is compared to what is declared on a claim so there may well be a delay but at some point it will catch up with him.
I would tell them as the sooner they find out the less his overpayment of benefits will be and the less serious any sanctions will be for him.

shandon14 · 17/08/2022 21:16

What a prince among men. It"s on him if he gets caught. It's on him if he gets a criminal record - a sure fire way to avoid that is to not break the law. Report it in anonymously. You don't owe him any favours.

ChickinMarango · 17/08/2022 21:19

DrDetriment · 17/08/2022 20:34

I don't think it is very kind to go out of your way to get your ex a criminal conviction and I don't think your son will thank you for it. Pursue maintenance through the proper channels. Are you trying to get revenge on him for something as you sound quite bitter?

If you’d read the post she’s said she has gone through the proper channels and has no recourse as he has played the system well.

She is fighting to provide for her DS which is far more than can be said for her Ex.

balalake · 17/08/2022 21:37

Make sure your DS is in a safe place when you do it.

Onandupw · 17/08/2022 21:41

Honestly if he’s that type of man I think it’s just not worth the risk. He’ll find some other way to wriggle out of maintenance. He’ll probably work out it’s you.

purely looking At it in terms of impact on you I think it could well end up causing you much more pain and angst

MayThe4th · 17/08/2022 21:43

The reality is that very few people end up prosecuted for benefit fraud. It’s almost unheard of in fact unless they are reported.

it always amazes me how people seem to condone benefit fraud on here, and given that attitude I wonder how many mn’ers are guilty of the same.

OP I would shop him personally, but I would do so from a moral perspective, because you know it’s wrong, not just because he doesn’t pay you maintenance.

Ask yourself honestly, if he was paying maintenance, would you still report him?