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Investigated for fraud....any truth in what the officer said to me?

11 replies

littlemisssparkle · 18/10/2010 20:38

sorry it's a bit long....

I had a letter from jobcentre plus informing me of notification of a vist. As I read on it said a query had arisen on my claim and that a customer compliance officer would be calling round to ensure my payments were correct. I was confused as to why anyone was calling at home to see me as I normally go to my local jobcentre every 6mths go over everything with them and thats that for another 6mths.

Date of my visit comes around.I let the officer in and he asks to see my bank details and rent agreement. I show him letters he wants to see,then he goes on to say that although he works for JCP any information we discused would be passed onto other sourcess Hmm he started to reel off who would be informed when he mentions fraud investigations team Shock I ask him to repeat what he had said when he tells me that someone had made an allegation of fraud against me. He then asks me how long I've claimed as a single parent,I tell him a yr and half he asked the kids names and ages then asks if im seeing someone. I tell the officer that I was seeing someone but it wasnt a serious thing between us just the odd date here and there. Im then asked for his name so I tell the officer who then starts to flip through paper work only to turn round and say thats not the name he had on the paper. I give the name of another bloke I had been seeing again nothing serious,so the bloke looks down at the paper work confused then replies that wasnt the name he had infront of him either. The only other person I had been in a relationship with was my kids dad so I give his name (makes me sound like a right slapper all these blokes names I was reeling off lol) but agen the officer looks at me and replies that his name wasnt on the sheet of paper either Confused by this time Im totally confused as I had told him the names of the blokes I had seen. Im then told the name of the person I was meant to have been seeing and it was the first and middle name of my kids dad but the last name didnt match. He reads from the sheet that I was in a relationship with this person and I was seen out shopping with them many times, I correct the officer by saying he obviously had the last name mixed up as my kids dad did often get called this last name if saying his name over the phone. He then points out that Im having another baby and was it with my ex (kids dad) I inform him that it is my ex's baby (but please dont judge me on being single n preggy with another baby)the officer then starts to question if my ex is in regular contact with my kids,I reply that they stay with him every weekend and that he takes them to and from school every day for me,and because im at the end of my pregnancy he does take me shopping (im told there is nothing wrong with me doing that with my ex) Im then asked if he ever stays over I reply that he has only ever stayed twice to look after the kids (and me) when i was told I needed to have bed rest after Dr's thought I was having a miscarage but that he's never stayed since. I was then told that my ex wasnt allowed to stay over at all unless I informed JCP,and if his car was outside my house for longer than an hour it would be concidered that we were living together as a couple,and that the same applied for christmas (as it's drawing near) that he wouldnt be allowed to stay longer than an hr....because if survailance is carried out against me and his car is here I can get into trouble for it???? I then went onto ask if that applied for any male visitor to my house and he replied "yes" OMG Shock so im basically not allowed to have a social life as far as these ppl are concerned??? He pulled out some paper work and informed me that he would write down that the allegations made against me were untrue. I was asked to sign the statement.
Then as he's about to leave he asks (I felt)to try put idea's into my head by saying "so are u 100% sure your ex doesn't stay and your not in a relationship with him? because you know xmas is just around the corner,and the extra cash would come in handy for when the baby comes along as you might struggle" I then informed him that me and my ex had split for a very short time before but as soon as we got back together I ended my claim and did every thing the right way. I was then given the number of my local JCP office and told that the paper work would stay with him for the next 4wks before being passed back to the fraud investigations team who would then be carrying out survailance against me.

What I want to know is,is there any truth in what the officer said about my ex only being allowed to stay here for an hour? Confused

OP posts:
expatinscotland · 18/10/2010 20:45

He's talking mince.

I'd complain about him, too, insinuating you're a fraud.

squashedfrogs · 18/10/2010 20:45

I'm sure someone else will be along soon with a proper answer to your post but I cannot believe that your ex (and any other man apparently) can only be at your house for an hour! That sounds ridiculous.

homemade · 18/10/2010 20:48

As far as I know, usually if another adult is living in your house it affects benefits, some are based on household income rather than your own means.

It might be worth checking this visit with JCP staff. (did you note the name?)

Car business is nonsense, course you can have friends to visit and indeed stayover.

AnyFuleKno · 18/10/2010 20:52

in their defence, to be honest, your relationship with your ex does sound complicated, and of course they have to check on this stuff, although this guy does sound a bit overzealous

GypsyMoth · 18/10/2010 20:53

so he's told you you will be under surveillence?

and told you how you will get caught?

salizchap · 18/10/2010 20:54

Go to the CAB, NOW! Get some professional advice and support.

littlemisssparkle · 18/10/2010 21:11

I know that if you have another adult living with you it can effect benefit's. When I first moved into the house im in now with my kids a female friend of mine had no place to stay and asked if I would put her up and because I knew it would get me into trouble not only with my housing trust,but with JCP I had to turn her away,simply because I couldnt risk having my money suspended. but like I told that officer there is only me and my kids stay here. I did note his name infact I still have the letter I was sent.

AFK yeah I agree the relationship with my ex does sound very complicated and have no problems with them investigationg me because as far as Im concerned Im doing nothing wrong. Its just what he said about my ex only being here for an hr that im worried about because if it's true I obviously dont want to get in trouble for it :(

OP posts:
HerBeatitude · 18/10/2010 22:01

He's talking bollocks.

If your ex were staying more than 2 or 3 nights a week, then he'd have a point.

If I were you, I wouldn't bother with the CRB, I would go straight to my MP and complain that you are being discouraged from pursuing a civilised parenting arrangement with your xh.

How fucking dare he tell you he can't stay for longer than an hour, what a load of bollocks.

However, in his defence, the scenario of having a new baby and pretending to split up to claim benefits in a recession, is not unknown and that's why you've been targeted. But don't be intimidated by it, get your MP involved and do a pre-emptive strike. Attack is sometimes the best form of defence. If you do it on the co-parenting, keeping up a good front for the children basis, they can't really argue with that.

Lougle · 18/10/2010 22:21

littlemisssparkle it isn't as clear cut as 'one hour' or '2 or 3 nights', it is determined by looking overall at your affairs, to see whether you are behaving as a couple would.

To be honest, things like taking the children to school daily, taking you shopping, etc., make you sound like you are still in a relationship - it isn't what 'ex' partners do for their 'ex'.

So you are going to need to be careful.

Other things they look at is whether your ex pays any bills, whether his name is on the bills at your address, whether he is registered as living at the same address, etc.

gillyboot · 19/10/2010 16:57

That visit sounds very sinister indeed. How dare he ask you such questions! It's absolute rubbish. You need to get advice/make a complaint.

I had a similar visit just after my baby was born (though was correctly informed by the visiting officer).

My ex was staying for more than 2 nights a week, and as I had nothing to hide, I told them so. I was unwell and needed help with the baby, we were not in a relationship.

They said there is no official maximum/minimum time/number of nights 'they' will 'permit' an ex partner to stay.

littlemisssparkle · 21/10/2010 09:40

I went to the CAB....and they said unless I get a letter informing me that my payments have been stopped then I shouldn't worry.

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