To be angry that a mutual friend is committing benefit fraud!

[166lady]

Myself my husband and our toddler went on a soft play date with my husbands friend, his wife and 2 kids. My husband asked if his friends wife will be going back to work and she said she’s in no rush as she’s getting enough from universal credit to live happily.

My Husbands friend then added that she’s been off work for 2 years as she claimed they live separately (they don’t) and that she has no savings when they do.

I don’t know how much they were claiming but she suggested it was more than what she was getting in maternity pay! I feel angry as myself and everyone I know were scrambling for childcare to go back to work and earn again, and they’re living a fake life

Given the shocking personal details almost complete strangers tell me because I smile and do a good job of being interested in what they’re saying I’m not surprised at all that friends have shared with the OP that they’re committing fraud.

The things that other people are prepared to admit to people who aren’t trusted confidantes are often so ludicrous in terms of how exposing/embarrassing/risky they are that people wouldn’t accept them if they were in a work of fiction.

If you’re bothered by what they’re doing OP, then report them.

Yeah cos we all meet our spouses friends who blurt out they are commiting benefit fraud daily 🙄

If she is reviewed they could see the money in there and then gone which will raise questions.

Why would they openly tell you are they are committing benefit fraud? Seems like an odd amount of detail to include too.

Report them if you want, it’s a clear cut case, so what do you need from mumsnet on this other than to encourage slagging off benefit claimants?

What do you mean by mutual friend?

People look for validation to try and excuse themselves when they know they’re doing something wrong. It’s as if they tell someone and that person either admits they’re doing similar, or minimises it without pointing out the immorality, then it can’t be that bad.

I’ve had people ‘sound me out’ in the same way before under the mistaken assumption that I claim benefits.

These are the new steps the government is taking that I was referring to.

https://www.gov.uk/government/news/fraudsters-face-tougher-action-as-government-gains-new-powers-to-tackle-benefit-fraud

🙄

How was her DH a virtual stranger? DH met with his friend and his friend told him about the benefit fraud.

The haven’t come here to start ‘benefit bashing’ the post is about people fraudulently claiming benefits…. Those people deserve to be bashed!!

Totally irrelevant. You can be angry about both things, which are completely separate. Are you suggesting only one of these things is morally wrong?? OP, I would report. She’s dumb enough to brag about it, and chances are she’s shouting it from the rooftops to everyone who will listen, thinking how clever she is, when she’s only one of many who do this. If you don’t report her, someone else will.

‘Amazon’ and ‘billionaires’ have become a lazy brush off to absolve the public of any individual responsibility whatsoever. It’s getting boring now.

Because people see it as a victimless crime, or think they’re getting one over on “the system”. Not everyone sees benefit fraud as a wrong doing, they see it as getting free money because the link to actual tax paying people isn’t there. It’s not that unusual for someone to talk about their finances and share something that they really don’t think anyone would have an issue with.

Yeah cos it does happen 🙄 Many who are dumb enough to commit benefit fraud are also dumb enough to brag about it. Because they think it’s clever to beat the system, and think everyone else is on their side, and might also be grateful of the ‘tip’. Might have been the case once upon a time, but since the budget when a lot of hard working people not receiving benefits are now going to be shafted by the government to fund the increasing Welfare budget, you’ll probably find that people are not quite as understanding…..

Yes I am.

Well go on then and report her then.

Tbf a family member of mine proudly announced they lied in a disability claim ( works full time and lives a full life yet said they can't bathe themselves) despite me having additional needs children one not expected to live beyond 20. The absolute lack of shame in some people is there

She is also allowed savings. I have several thousand and claim UC.

The savings amount is limited though. Safe to assume he meant undeclared savings

Ah, so you’re either someone benefitting from a benefit fraud yourself, or you’re in the lucky position of not being negatively affected by Reeves’ budget of taking from the working classes to give to the benefit claimants. But at least you’re honest and own your statement instead of trying to justify it. And btw I’m not saying there aren’t people out there on benefits who don’t deserve it. But I definitely don’t think fraudsters deserve it.

But they do.

I work for the NHS. I really don't care if the poorest people I provide care for steal a few pennies from the Government.

That’s nice and all but this couple earn too much to be legally eligible for benefits and they also have savings… clearly not the poorest people stealing to survive.

Ok I still wouldn't care

Still a bit weird that you can’t grasp why other people care.