My neighbour is threatening to report me for “benefit fraud”

[AugustSlippedAwayInto]

I’m currently signed off sick from work after an operation last week. My street is full of gossips (to put it nicely) so the entire street knows why I’m off. Brill.

For full disclosure, the relationship with this neighbour is rocky at best. She’s screamed abuse at me and my family in the street before, she watched everyone from her window and films people walking past very regularly.

I decided that I felt well enough for a short walk yesterday, so my mum came over and offered we went. I think we were out for about half an hour, with a break halfway.

This morning as soon as she’s seen I’m up (lights on, curtains open etc) she’s banging on my door saying she’s contacted my work and “the government” to report that I’m “committing fraud”. I’m talking shouting, banging my door so hard I thought she’d break the glass, slapping the front windows. It’s all on the ring camera.

I’m not on SSP, as I get occupational sick pay, and after my walk I slept for three hours! WIBU to just tell her to do one and to leave me alone?

In this instance I think it’s because of her sister, who has pretty severe mental health issues, and apparently her parents had them too (but I didn’t live here then).

Perhaps OP is quite ok with her health being gossiped about but not ok with a deranged woman hammering on her door and screaming at her?

When I say gossips I don’t mean nasty (well sometimes it can be, but thats life!), it’s more “oh August has had an op, who’s going to take her dinners”, which is honestly heartwarming. Makes me feel like I have a street of grannies looking after me!🥹

Oh the mental health excuse is so tedious.

She’s an unhinged bitch is all. Who cares if she’s mentally ill, unless that means someone’s going to lock her up for everyone else’s safety.

Honestly I’m so sick of every unhinged behaviour being put down to “obviously needs help/is mentally ill/is a victim” give it a bloody rest ffs.

She didn't call 999. She called the 101 number for advice and logging. As she should. It's very concerning and intimidating behaviour. Imagine you wouldn't like it if someone was doing this to you regularly in your own home.

A reaction?

She's harassing the OP and now repeatedly contacting OP's place of employment.

'Ok have a nice day' doesn't work with people like this.

Just ignore her

Honestly you are entitled to tell anyone you choose. Take out a full page advert in the local paper if you like. Why people feel like lecturing you about what you can tell friends or neighbours is beyond me.

Hope your recovery is going well despite the woman nextdoor

Put something like this in you window looking out

Id ring 101 to record the incident

This is harassment and you should report it to the police. You’re not committing any sort of fraud! She sounds absolutely vile.

A PCSO has been over, and has said at the moment it’s not criminal, but to keep sending in things as and when they happen. He could see her stood in her front window filming, but said because it’s not me she was filming, he can’t do anything!

And? None of that excuses her behaviour. None of it.

It’s like MN bingo.

I’m just waiting for someone to pop up to suggest that maybe she’s also “on the spectrum.”

But I’m not excusing it so I’m not sure why you’ve decided to pester me with your bs?

All I said is to keep reporting it because she’s obviously mentally unwell. If there are enough reports it will be dealt with at some point.

Bloody hell this street…. Sounds ghastly all the gossiping about really initiate things

But clearly this gossiping is reaching the mentally unstable neighbour

It’s really lovely. I know some places aren’t a close community but my area is, we all chat and genuinely like each other!

OMG 😱
She cray-cray fo sho😳

We’ve got a neighbour like this OP and we’ve really enjoyed taking the wind out of her sails on a recent repair issue we needed to handle with her.

1. I convinced DH to totally grey rock her and she’s moved onto another neighbour.

2. we’ve invested in the 1 way privacy film on the windows she can see into. Your neighbour is clearly trying to intimidate you by filming you, if you don’t allow her to see in without the inconvenience of shutting your blinds or curtains that’s a speedy win in my book

Record, even if on your mobile. Sound and visual. 999 for harassment. Any protected characteristics? A ring doorbell or cameras would be great if you can afford it. Ideally with saving to a cloud, not just live recording. Get a police incident number. Does bat shit neighbour own or rent? If rent - report to her landlord.

You should tell your neighbour to join MN, she'd fit right in on here with all the nosy, time-rich, curtain-twitching posters convinced their neighbours are benefits cheats based on little or no evidence!
More seriously though, nice to see another Taylor Swift user name, very timely too!

Do you know the difference between 999 and 101?

Ignore her yoy aren't doing anything wrong. I'd report her for harassment.

When you are confiding in all the lovely but gossipy neighbours, have you ever asked them that given it’s a personal matter, to please keep to themselves?