Should I report benefit fraud?

[Greeksummer]

Firstly, this isn’t a benefit bashing thread. It’s something I feel hugely conflicted about.

A couple I know is committing benefit fraud and have been for quite a few years. They live together with their school aged child however, the dad is not actually down as being at the address so their rent is paid for as the mum works part time, as well as single persons council tax discount. The dad earns a very good salary (not 6 figures but for where we live in the UK it’s a lot of money) so there’s absolutely no excuse for it. I know the mum better than the dad and she’s quite open about it all and money in general. Both of their parents’ help them out as well - regularly buying their weekly food shop, covering the costs of their child’s school uniform every year, school trips etc (no issue with parent’s helping out if they’re able to, I’m just highlighting that they’re in no way struggling financially).

It just makes me so cross as I know a disabled person who’s benefits were stopped as they were deemed not disabled enough and had a horrendous ordeal trying to get them back. I think it’s so wrong that they’re taking money they’re not entitled to and don’t need when so many people are struggling. However, I’m also aware that it’s a drop in the ocean compared to what millionaires and billionaires get away with hence why I’m conflicted as to whether I should report it or not.

YABU - keep your nose out, people get away with much worse

YANBU - it’s wrong and you should report it

I would definitely report these greedy people. Disgusting. there are way too many doing this and I always hope they get caught.

Aah man. I would keep my nose out of other people’s business. But that’s me.

Any particular reason why you felt the need to start the thread in the first place?

There's a rolling programme of Greedy/Fat Relative, Lazy Husband, Shall I Go To A&E, There's This Person I Know Who's Committing Benefit Fraud and We All Hate Expensive Weddings posts on Sundays.

YABU!!!

what do you think you’ll achieve?

I usually believe in minding your own business but I wouldn't think reporting them is the worst thing you could do. Do... don't. Either way, I can't get worked up whatever you choose.

Of course you should report them. They're stealing money from taxpayers and making life difficult for all the people claiming honestly. They're dirty, dishonest criminals.

Yanbu. If everyone did it, the system would be even more broken than it currently is

Personally, I couldn't. Not sure why as I know it's wrong. I'd feel like a coward reporting someone anonymously and continuing to have a relationship with them secretly knowing I'd done that.

I completely understand your frustration though, although you won't get much sympathy on mumsnet (benefit threads never go down well and a lot of people seem to think benefit fraud doesn't exist for some strange reason)

I have a family member who has claimed as a single parent for years even though she was in a long term relationship with her daughters father and he earned a good wage whilst she worked part time and claimed benefits (I think they were bringing in at least 3k a month as well as having the rent paid and council tax discount). That went on for 7-8 years, then they split and she is now with someone else and he has moved in. They even said in conversation a few months ago that he would keep his mothers address as his main residence so she could continue claiming benefits as a single parent.

I work 40+ hours a week and earn less. Does it piss me off? Of course, but what can I do. It's family and I wouldn't be able to look at her again if I reported her. It's not worth it.

At least I can sleep at night knowing that I've not broken the law for years. Personally, I feel that the government might it too easy for people to commit benefit fraud too.

How will this impact the children? That's what would make the decision for me.

I agree. Though MN seem to love benefit cheats for some bizarre, messed up reason.

I'd be tempted to keep my nose out

That said... If the female is openly discussing it and money then I'd be more likely to report it. That's just a brass neck.

OP most people on here will tell you not to report it, because MN like benefit cheats. But if you look at the voting YABU/YANBU you’ll get a more accurate picture of what people think (but are afraid to say!)

Because I wanted advice @NeverDropYourMooncup, HTH.

My instinct is to mind my business but because the mum talks/brags so openly about money I find it hard not to judge or feel cross. I think it would be best to distance myself and put it to the back of my mind.

Yes I would report them. It drives me mad that people take what they are not entitled to. There isnt a bottomless pot of benefit money, and for every person who claims stuff they arent entitled to, means there is less available for those that really need it.

As others have said previously, it’s because all these people are up to no good themselves. Hence the defensiveness about benefit fraud and telling people to ‘keep their noses out’.

Top up benefits are there for those who need them and they are not insignificant amounts that people get either. Therefore claiming as single when you have a working partner is just plain greedy and should be reported . People forget who is paying for this greed.

You must know her quite well to know so many minor details of her finances.

I guess reporting her will give her a lesson in learning who to trust.

Their child wouldn’t be affected in the slightest @GoodChat the father makes a substantial amount of money. That’s the thing, if I thought they were genuinely struggling I wouldn’t even dream of reporting them (I know it would still be wrong but in my mind there would be a justifiable reason for it). They’re better off than most and still would be if they paid their rent like they should be doing.

That being said, the thought of reporting them makes me feel uneasy. Perhaps it’s my upbringing but I never wanted to be that person.

You didn't want advice. You started a goady thread to get the frothers frothing.

Rubbish. You have no basis whatsoever to surmise that anyone who is reluctant to report is fiddling benefits themselves.

Of course report them, they're criminals.

I posted here as it’s not exactly an easy conversation to have in real life. I haven’t seen anyone frothing.

I think keeping my distance is the way to go.

I agree. I do not think benefit fraud is a huge problem (in terms of money lost) but they are still taking money from the pot, and contributing to the low opinion some people have of those on benefits.
If I knew for certain (and it sounds like this woman is open about it) then I would report them.

If you are happy to pay taxes to pay for this, say nothing

But if you object to the fraud, which it may well be, report it

You are paying for it in the tax you pay

I wouldn't report it because it's very unlikely to be true. If the family help with food shops I suspect the guy doesn't earn anything much at all but is a Walter Mitty fantasist type.