Is it ever OK to report anyone?

[PassingStranger]

Following on from the TV licence thread is it ever OK to report for benefit fraud, car tax, TV licence, etc or does it always come back and bit you on the bum?

Would you be scared to do it?

I wouldn’t do it personally I don’t think. I’d always report safeguarding concerns and things like domestic violence but TV licence and benefits…no. You never know someone’s full circumstances and I think people must be desperate so no.

Well by reporting it it means it's looked into

If all is fine then no worries, if not then it's dealt with

You can report anonymously

Yeah I just couldn’t bring myself to be that mean though

Depends how you look at it..

Yes I would because I’m a snitch who believes in fairness and paying your way in life. Only if it was the taxpayer they’re stealing from though.

I think it depends on the situation. Someone desperately trying to survive and put food on the table - no. People taking the piss, playing the system and going on multiple holidays/buying fancy tech (or whatever) - yes. It’ll then be looked into and if nothing wrong, it’ll be left at that.

Safeguarding concerns of any kind on the other hand should always be reported of course.

Yes, but could you even if anonymous?

No way. Not for benefits etc

Beyond safeguarding I can't imagine why you'd even care. I'm just not that bothered by what other people do.

I'd report safeguarding and DV issues.

I've been falsely reported for benefit fraud, luckily there was no evidence (they can see what's in my bank account without needing my permission to look) so they didn't have to suspend my benefits while they investigated.
It might be different today. My adult son lives at home and chips in for bills. IDK if that could trigger a more severe investigation.

I can't imagine how boring and pathetic people's lives must be to be going around reporting people for not paying a TV license or car tax 🤣

Reporting something like benefit fraud, tax evasion or driving without insurance, I wouldn't bother personally but I think more valid as its more serious and decent sums of money involved.

I wouldn't report someone for not having a TV licence. Benefit fraud possibly though depending on the circumstances.
A single parent working a few hours cash in hand to make ends meet - no Someone claiming several benefits but working basically full time cash in hand then yes

My neighbour went on holiday for 2 weeks and left her poor dog locked in a tiny patio. The poor thing barked day and night. I reported ir to the RSPCA and someone came and took the dog (she had someone coming in daily to feed it). She was livid and had to fight to get her dog back. I would do it again without a second thought.

I have reported benefit fraud. I volunteered for CAB for years and tbh I saw way more people ashamed to claim or older people who thought “others deserved it more” than people taking the piss. When someone I know was claiming fraudulently and I knew it for a fact I reported. She was very pissed off her “free money” came to an end. If I thought she needed the money to put a roof over her head or feed her kids I would think it wrong but wouldn’t have reported.

It depends what you mean about 'is it ever okay?' and it 'coming back to bite you on the bum'.

Laws are there for a reason and benefit fraud, not paying car tax or TV licence are criminal offences in law (car tax and TV licencing only applying within specific parameters). Which can lead to prosecution.

So are you coming from it as - breaking the law is breaking the law, as members of society we all hold some kind of obligation to report law breaking because it does negatively impact on society?

Or is it more about "someone I don't like getting away with something that I'm not/wouldn't do, and that pisses me off"?

This reminds me of the COVID days and people having a go and me for not reporting my own COVID results "but it's in the terms and conditions". Sorry but why am I supposed to give a shit?

Think of it differently.

They might not like someone. Who knows Why?

I would absolutely report anything where a human or animal was at risk of harm, no question about it.

Depends, I would absolutely report child abuse, DV or animal cruelty/neglect.

Smoking a bit of weed, no TV licence absolutely no.

Car tax I don't think, but car insurance I probably would, driving under the influence definitely if I couldn't get them to stop via intervention.

Benefit fraud would depend, taking the piss with multiple holidays & new cars I probably would.

I wish I could report littering, not cleaning up dog crap & dangerous driving when their perpetrators are seen & have something actually be done about them.

What you did was absolutely the right thing and I would have done the same.

Depends on what you are reporting and why.

I anonymously reported a relative who had an alcohol problem, think drinking spirits as soon as she woke up.

She was driving her car regularly while over the limit, with her 2 small children in the back with no seat belts on.

She'd already been banned once as had crashed in to a tree while over the limit.

I just knew I couldn't have lived with myself if anything happened to those 2 small children.

Can't blame you?
What happened? If anything?

She was banned shortly after (for about 2 years) as I believe was something like 4 times over the limit.

That's very different to the topic of the thread though.

Virtually no-one would criticise anyone for reporting criminal offences where very real interpersonal harm is likely or safeguarding adults, children or animals from abuse.

The OP is about things where a lot of people will say MYOB - car tax, TV licencing, benefit fraud.