Benefit Fraud

[SteveCampbell]

Hi. I know this may be a touchy subject, but I've been thinking about this for a while and would like to know other people's opinions on this. As a morality issue how do you feel about reporting people for benefit fraud? I do have a specific scenario in mind, but I'd like to know, without any nuance, how you feel about reporting it in general.

I don’t think I would 99% of the time. I’d have to think they were an irredeemably awful person.

As a morality issue how do you feel about reporting people for benefit fraud?

If I’m going to be the morality police, I’d much much rather report people for tax evasion than benefit fraud.

Never unless they were making themselves particularly wealthy by doing it.

I wouldn't.

But a quick Google shows people clearly do.

"Even though the amount of money lost to the Treasury from tax fraud is nine times more than from benefits crime. The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) prosecuted 23 times more people for benefits crimes than HMRC did for tax offences since 2010"

Personally I wouldn't. Doubt it's your business to get involved in. Sure you could say it's government money but look at the amount of money our government waste anyway. Nowt' worse than a grass

And you have just joined Mumsnet to ask this question?

I used to be quite uptight about people fraudulently claiming benefits, but having seen the corruption in high places, I no longer care.

It depends. If somebody was claiming as a single parent with a low earning partner, I would mind my own business. If they were forging documents for children they didnt have (which I saw on a TV programme) I would dob them in. If they were claiming disabled benefits and seemed fine to me, I would assume I didn't know the whole story as PIP is notoriously hard to get. It would have to be very obvious fraud for me to want to report.

I’m more bothered about the corruption that goes on in the government with public money tbh. It always baffles me how people pick on those at the bottom instead of looking at the real problems.

Welcome to MN, btw

@RobertSmithsLipstick

I used to be quite uptight about people fraudulently claiming benefits, but having seen the corruption in high places, I no longer care.

Same for me. I know a few people who have claimed benefit fraud for small periods of time, none of them were rolling in money. Their circumstances were shit and they were desperate. I’ve had to work some cash in hand jobs on top of working and getting universal credit top ups just to cover bills. I’ve never got anything left over for things I want rather than things I need

I wouldn't report it. What good would it achieve?

Focus your efforts on reporting tax evasion instead.

I would be tempted to but I probably wouldn't. But I would hope they'd get caught eventually. But compared to some of the greedy MPs and Members of the House of Lords they are very small fry.

At risk of getting flamed:
My ex implicated me when lying to the DWP and had committed fraud. She received circa £12,000 of UC she was entitled to. Our divorce was already messy, I have strong values, and she does not. So I reported her. But the decision was not taken easily.
I see no difference between tax evasion and benefit fraud.

Sorry, not entitled to.

No. I'm more interested in richer than rich people dodging taxes. Someone incredibly low income managing to have another £150pm to live on just to keep above the breadline is not worth reporting.

OP I would...mass amount of jobs available...I pay a shit load of tax for these people to do nowt.....go for it x

It's a very low amou t in real terms lost Ito beenfot fraud and if some poor fecker is getting a few £100 more than they should, big deal.

People work cash on hand, don't pay tax, sort that.
People with accountants dodging paying tax, sort that
Huge multinationals avoiding tax bills, sort them out.
Beryl at no 43 telling DWP she's got a kid named Clive When she ain't, big whoop on the grand scheme.

@SRS29

OP I would...mass amount of jobs available...I pay a shit load of tax for these people to do nowt.....go for it x

No you don't. That's spin fed to gullible by the government.

An average salary of £30k year. In a months wage slip, the tax they pay, less than £4 would go to unemployment compared to over £8 to pensions and £6 to in work benefits.

The rest of your tax goes to MPs wages, expenses, second homes, cabinet salaries etc etc etc.

In much the same way as you do for your current government? Who unabashedly dished out multi billion £££ contracts to their wealthy donor friends and family members.

I'm far more concerned about the rich not paying taxes and government corruption.

I would report benefit fraud AND tax evasion. Both are wrong. I saw someone shoplifting and I reported them. And I also reported three people to the Immigration Office.

@MaryAndHerNet err yes I do....don't disagree as to where it goes but overall allows a lot to not work and claim all sorts of 'benefits' .....too easy

Two wrongs don't make a right. Of course I would report them. It's stealing.

@TheFairyCaravan

I’m more bothered about the corruption that goes on in the government with public money tbh. It always baffles me how people pick on those at the bottom instead of looking at the real problems.

Welcome to MN, btw

This 👏