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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

To report sister to benefit fraud / police.

67 replies

Noodlehen · 03/03/2023 11:57

I have been out of the UK since 2017, and returned late last year.

I have a strained relationship with my mother and sister, and they live a life I do not agree with (won’t go into it all as will be here all day) I am now NC with them both..

in 2020 my sister text me and said that she had been claiming benefits in my name and she had done it the week before in a panic but she had tried to cancel it saying it was “an error” but she had received a payment that she would pay back. I told her to make sure if it was cancelled and if she hadn’t that I’d be reporting her for fraud. She told me that if I did she would go to prison and that she would kill herself and my nieces would be left without a family and it would be my fault. I told her that i wouldn’t if it was cancelled and trusted that she had cancelled. My mother also said that she was aware but that sis had cancelled.

fast forward to late 2020 I had a niggling feeling, called the universal credit hotline who confirmed there was a claim and reported it for fraud. Heard nothing back.

Yesterday, after reading a post on here about NI contributions I decided to have a look at mine, noticed contributions for the years I was out of the country. Today I’ve called UC again they have confirmed the claim is STILL going and that it has been open four years.

I have reported it again to the benefit fraud hotline and given her name, would it be unreasonable for me to report this to the police as identify theft? Is it even a crime? I seem to have shocking credit since moving back and I’m wondering she has opened catalogues or other credit accounts in my name too. When I left I had a good credit score.

i also don’t even understand how this has happened for four years, would she not need to go and sign on or something?

OP posts:

MamOfFive · 03/03/2023 11:59

Not unreasonable to report to the police. End of the day, if your working and it's in your name you'll end up with a massive overpayment & be done for fraud.
So it needs reporting. You should be able to close the claim if it's in your name too.

MamOfFive · 03/03/2023 12:00

Also look online at your credit score and have a look, I would be checking everything.

GrasstrackGirl · 03/03/2023 12:01

I would be checking your credit score.

MyopicBunny · 03/03/2023 12:01

You're not unreasonable because this could have a massive impact on you, adversely. Sorry you have this worry.

Vegetablesupreme · 03/03/2023 12:06

In your shoes, I would report to police too.

Pepsipepsi · 03/03/2023 12:11

Bloody hell I thought this was going to be one of those claiming UC whilst working a part time cash in hand job, which I could turn a blind eye to.

But she's been fraudently impersonating you for 4 years?!! And it's a person you don't even get on with?? Yes I would report the shit out of it.

longwayoff · 03/03/2023 12:11

Yes, she's done everything you think she has. And more, if your family is as toxic as you say. Report everything or you'll be the one that pays for it eventually.

Original poster

Noodlehen · 03/03/2023 12:13

Thanks guys! I did have a look on clearscore (?) at my credit report and it was asking if I’d ever had credit with x and if I’d an overdraft which I thought was strange. As I’d only just put myself back onto the electoral roll I thought I’d wait a bit longer for my credit score to readjust.

i don’t work at the minute, I had a few health issues I wanted to have the time to sort. My husband earns enough that I don’t claim any benefits. I thought that made me really lucky, however it probably would have been picked up handier if I did work or claim something 🙄🙄

DH wants me to go to the police station today too, so I think I will. I have all the messages saved from her confessing so I want to just hand someone the proof and get it sorted.

OP posts:

Grumpyunleashed · 03/03/2023 12:15

I hate fraud and benefit crime and agree with everything you have done so far.
My next step would be to secure copy of your credit reports and check to see if they reveal anything wrong / incorrect or fraudulent.

There is always the possibility that your details have been used to con people / companies out of goods / money and they are in the process of tracking you down seeking to recover money that you know nothing about.
If she has stained your credit records / financial reputation this could seriously adversely impact your life and financial reputation.

I would then report the lot to whoever was relevant, be it Police, creditors or card companies etc…..

Good luck

Allblackeverythingalways · 03/03/2023 12:18

Fucking hell, I'd be straight onto the police. Sister or not.
I'd immediately be NC too.
She could have impacted you permanently. I could not forget or forgive that.

SemperIdem · 03/03/2023 12:20

I’d absolutely report to the police. This could impact you terribly, if not addressed.

AnotherSpare · 03/03/2023 12:20

Definitely report to the police - identity fraud. Sounds like it's more than just a benefit claim in your name if there are questions about overdrafts. This could really impact your life. Report asap.

SherlockFones · 03/03/2023 12:23

Oh bloody hell. Definitely report this to the police. It's disgusting how low your sister has stooped, I would be extremely concerned over what loans or credit she may have taken out in your name and anything else she has done.

I sat open mouthed reading your post OP. How awful returning to the UK and finding out all of this. Really hope you manage to get everything sorted.

Imthegingerbreadwoman · 03/03/2023 12:24

Yes report report report and save all evidence and call logs to universal credit. Email them too if you can for paper trail. Physically report at the police station and keep reference numbers.
Download credit report and check for accounts/credit cards/ finance and things like very or next accounts etc. And If anything I would be asking the police what to do!

Imthegingerbreadwoman · 03/03/2023 12:24

Also check any addresses that come in on your credit report too

Choconuts · 03/03/2023 12:26

I agree that is unforgivable and should be reported to the police.

However when I set up my clear score it asked me about specific credit cards:loans etc which I had never had as part of the checks I.e did I have a Barclay card in 2020 or a John Lewis card in 2005 just to prove identity so hopefully that doesn't mean she's taken out lots of credit in your name.

Aprilx · 03/03/2023 12:28

I was pretty shocked when I saw the thread title, thinking it was going to be like the other one I saw earlier about the couple that have split up.

But with this information, yes I would definitely take this further, you have to because of the potential very negative impact on you.

LaviniasBigBloomers · 03/03/2023 12:28

I was swithering about involving the police when I first started reading, but by the time I got down the thread I now think you have to. You'll probably need a crime number as you unpick all of this, as it definitely sounds like she's taken things out in your name too.

I don't even know how you unpick it - maybe a solicitor can help? I'd be looking for county court judgements too. It's not just your credit score, it's people coming after you for money 'you' owe so you need a paper trail to prove it's 'not you'.

Ncgirlseriously · 03/03/2023 12:28

How has she done this? You have to show ID every time you go to a UC meeting. Does she have your ID?

ImpossibleGirl · 03/03/2023 12:29

Doesn't UC have to go into an account in your name?

If so, she will be running a bank account in your name

WaltzingWaters · 03/03/2023 12:30

Definitely report to the police. This could potentially have substantial effects on your life if it doesn’t get sorted. She’s had plenty of time to stop what she’s doing and hasn’t so report immediately.

Ncgirlseriously · 03/03/2023 12:31

Oh I didn’t even think about the bank account. That’s very serious, yeah you should report it. Do let the police know about her threats to herself as well.

Ilikewinter · 03/03/2023 12:34

Oh my god, 100% I'd throw her under the bus and run her over with it !. You need to report this to the police and get credit checks with clearscore and experian. If shes been defrauding you then you will need to try and untangle the mess.
I hope the Police and DWP (?) take you seriously.

Raindancer411 · 03/03/2023 12:35

No you need to cover yourself now so report, report, report!! Glad you kept the text.

LIZS · 03/03/2023 12:35

Identity fraud as well as benefits fraud. Where have the payments gone, is there a dodgy bank account in your name?

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