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AIBU?

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Original poster

Would you report this? Potential benefit fraud

389 replies

Overthebow · 03/03/2023 09:35

I’m struggling with this one, on one hand I think just leave it as everyone is struggling to survive, on the other it just doesn’t sit right with me. And I’d it even benefit fraud? I don’t have much experience with benefits so not sure. I need your thoughts! here’s the situation.

A couple had a baby a few years ago. Almost straight afterwards they split up.she got a housing association property and universal credit, she doesn’t work. He lives at his mums, has a decently paid job and doesn’t claim UC. But ever since they’ve still appeared to kind of be together. He sleeps over a few times a week, they go on days out and holidays together and she talks about them as ‘we’ and ‘us’. She’s also talked about buying a house together in the future as he is able to save a decent amount.

OP posts:
Jaxhog · 03/03/2023 13:42

memyselfi · 03/03/2023 09:38

What the hell is it to do with you ?
Just mind your own business.
Do people really live like this ?
Monitoring friends or neighbours for some transgression?
You've no clue what their lives are like , wish them happiness.

Just who do you think is paying for this? The government? Well, they get it from us in taxes! It IS our business.

PinkButtercups · 03/03/2023 13:42

That's not fraud and no I wouldn't report it. I wouldn't really care in all honesty.

She got a property fast though!

crowsfeet57 · 03/03/2023 13:51

She's playing the system. But it's not fraud.

AutumnColour89 · 03/03/2023 14:23

Woah back down! No one ever said situations were related- the point was that people are entitled to feel pissed off as they struggle whilst other play the system.

And as it goes... the 'what's it got to do with you, mind your own business' argument could just as easily be trotted out in response to complaints about rich celebs avoiding tax.

If you're a contributor- it is your business!!

Crikeyalmighty · 03/03/2023 14:49

@AutumnColour89 Yep it appears to be it's fine to 'play the system' and think it's your business - if you are not well off but it should be everyone's business if you are well off.

It is not ok if people are essentially in relationships with families and living apart in order to maximise benefits. If it's their money then it's no one's business what their domestic set up is, but it isn't -it's public money paid for by everyone paying tax

Mozzereena · 03/03/2023 15:09

No that's not benefit fraud and it's none of your business how they live. Maybe you need to start a new hobby or something. All the best.

GertrudePerkinsPaperyThing · 03/03/2023 15:10

That’s not benefit fraud

It’s really important for women’s safety that this sort of thing isn’t classed as benefit fraud. It can trap them living with men they really shouldn’t be otherwise.

Northernsouloldies · 03/03/2023 15:14

Why are you even giving this situation attention, its nothing to do with you.

callmeblondee · 03/03/2023 15:40

GertrudePerkinsPaperyThing · 03/03/2023 15:10

That’s not benefit fraud

It’s really important for women’s safety that this sort of thing isn’t classed as benefit fraud. It can trap them living with men they really shouldn’t be otherwise.

Exactly this. It is damn hard enough as it is being a single mum and so imagine being grassed up the basis of a stranger observing your life from afar, its just plain weird and depressing how some people carry on. Of course we worry about where are taxes go and how they are distributed but this sort of thing is not the one. Seems to me the OP is extremely bitter and nasty and needs to get some kind of life or start campaigning for rich people/rich corp tax loopholes to be closed if so concerned about this issue, but id say that is not really what they are concerned about, they just want someone to suffer because they feel so shit about their own life. Thats how it comes across.

Mrsjayy · 03/03/2023 15:56

GertrudePerkinsPaperyThing · 03/03/2023 15:10

That’s not benefit fraud

It’s really important for women’s safety that this sort of thing isn’t classed as benefit fraud. It can trap them living with men they really shouldn’t be otherwise.

Hardly anybody thinks or caresx about this . Whingers like the Op don't really care all they see is "feckless women getting more than them !

MovinOnUp · 03/03/2023 16:02

GertrudePerkinsPaperyThing · 03/03/2023 15:10

That’s not benefit fraud

It’s really important for women’s safety that this sort of thing isn’t classed as benefit fraud. It can trap them living with men they really shouldn’t be otherwise.

Exactly this!

ALongHardWinter · 03/03/2023 16:07

Maybe it's playing the system,but strictly speaking,not benefit fraud.

amiold · 03/03/2023 16:17

This is not benefit fraud. You can be together. Live apart and stay a couple of nights a week. Maybe they just don't like each others company 100%

BUT MAYBE it's because the system is set up so that parents who stay together get no help! Single parents have a greater universal claim usually, are entitled to 15 hours childcare at 2 and 30 hours at 3.
MAYBE he has another child he pays child maintenance for and cannot support both children in the same way so they live apart so both mothers get some child maintenance (7.5% of the top line each and not 11%/1%).

If you really want to report her jd ask her why they now live separate and what's drove them to that because I bet there's more to it than the nosy neighbours think

Daffodilsandbeer · 03/03/2023 17:22

MrsSkylerWhite · 03/03/2023 09:55

Yes it is likely fraud. I have a relative, who I don’t see for many reasons, who is very deliberately in this situation. They both live in separate social housing (he has disabilities and is priority for housing and a notability car) claim various benefits as single people and spend several nights together with their children each week. They are very much a couple.

But that’s not fraud.

Lotsofthingstoconsider · 03/03/2023 18:26

ALongHardWinter · 03/03/2023 16:07

Maybe it's playing the system,but strictly speaking,not benefit fraud.

As a benefit fraud investigator for 32 years.. this is DEFINITELY something we would look at !

And btw .. we do not suspend benefit 'on suspicion' there are rules . Only when there is incontrovertible proof /or a confession is it suspended.!

Daffodilsandbeer · 04/03/2023 04:56

Lotsofthingstoconsider · 03/03/2023 18:26

As a benefit fraud investigator for 32 years.. this is DEFINITELY something we would look at !

And btw .. we do not suspend benefit 'on suspicion' there are rules . Only when there is incontrovertible proof /or a confession is it suspended.!

Show quote history

So basically you’re not actually sure if it’s fraud either? 😂

blueskylie · 05/03/2023 11:31

Are there really posters on here who are that stupid. Is it possible you could actually worked out how to post on an internet forum and yet HONESTLY BELIEVE that benefit fraud is not e everyone's responsibility. ?

Or maybe you're not understanding the nuances of posters' understanding.

Benefit fraud is about 2% of fraud in UK. Tax fraud is much higher, about 70%. And benefits overpaid due to official error is higher than fraud. So really, you should be focusing on official error before we turn to fraud, if you're worried about the public budget.

Im not getting myself worked up over what some curtain twitcher has supposed is happening with someone's private financial information. And I'm also not against the poorest in our society playing the system the way that the wealthiest do every day. It's seems it's much more acceptable for a wealthy shareholder to take steps to avoid tax - offshore account, tax avoidance strategies through expensive accounting firms. Acting in a way to maximise finances seems a no-brainer for rich people, but it's morally bankrupt for the poor to act like that.

LuluLehman · 05/03/2023 20:17

Cocobutt · 03/03/2023 11:25

I don’t think you should report them but it’s very obvious from some of the replies which posters also play the system.

Are you saying that you play the system too?

JazbayGrapes · 05/03/2023 20:26

Are you saying that you play the system too?

Playing the system isn't fraud. The system is rigged. People get financially punished if they try to better themselves.

XenoBitch · 05/03/2023 22:17

YABU
What would you like to see happen? That they be forced to live together?
Her benefits get stopped? How would that help her and her baby?

How do you know this lady? I hope you do not consider yourself a friend, because you are absolutely not one.

JaffaCake70 · 05/03/2023 22:54

Daffodilsandbeer · 04/03/2023 04:56

So basically you’re not actually sure if it’s fraud either? 😂

Show quote history

🤣🤣🤣

MacarenaMacarena · 05/03/2023 23:33

If they are a couple and simply living apart for now in order for her to claim benefits while he saves money, they are not being honest. Those saying it's fine might consider how their taxes could be more fairly spent on providing a teaching assistant in their classroom.

XenoBitch · 05/03/2023 23:36

MacarenaMacarena · 05/03/2023 23:33

If they are a couple and simply living apart for now in order for her to claim benefits while he saves money, they are not being honest. Those saying it's fine might consider how their taxes could be more fairly spent on providing a teaching assistant in their classroom.

So, how would you suggest this situation be resolved? Her partner be forced to move in with her?
Would you like the government to tell you that your boyfriend must live with you or your benefits be stopped?

Moonicorn · 05/03/2023 23:36

XenoBitch · 05/03/2023 23:36

So, how would you suggest this situation be resolved? Her partner be forced to move in with her?
Would you like the government to tell you that your boyfriend must live with you or your benefits be stopped?

Show quote history

Yes.

XenoBitch · 05/03/2023 23:40

Moonicorn · 05/03/2023 23:36

Yes.

Show quote history

Can you not see how awful that would be for women in an abusive relationship?
If you were a single mum, would you like the government to force a very new boyfriend to live with you?

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