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Original poster

Universal credits fraud

16 replies

Toastoftoasties · 29/03/2023 22:43

Stupid EX partner

hi everyone - me and my ex split up roughly a year ago we are still mutual as we share a child with a profound disability. I started claiming universal credit just after we split up and I moved back into my mums. My ex is in the army and travels around a lot and told me a few weeks ago he was getting a “secure code” for a tax refund sent to my mums house as we are mutual I didn’t think much of it. Well the letter came today and he’s accidentally changed his whole HMRC address to my mums! He phoned them straight away and explained it was only meant to be for correspondence for the letter to come to this house as he was then working away and in a hotel abroad. Will Universal credits try and say that he lives here ?? And fine me ????

he currently rents his own house and all his bills are in his name and registered to his house.

please help!!! Should I phone UC and explain or will that draw more attention?? Will that automatically show up on my benefits ??? Due to my child’s needs I cannot work as no nursery will take him on and I genuinely do need the money.

thanks !

OP posts:
Original poster
Toastoftoasties · 29/03/2023 22:44

We are not financially linked in anyway. I’ve sent him money in the past to buy our child a birthday present as it was £500 we split the cost. I’m on his car insurance as a secondary driver only due to the fact I can’t afford my own car and he works away so much I use his. But everything is his and in his name. We are just mutual due to our child !

OP posts:
SweetCoriander · 29/03/2023 22:51

Hi, OP. Can you explain a little more about what you mean by 'mutual'?

Chowtime · 29/03/2023 22:54

Yes I'm also confused by what you mean when you say you're mutual.

Original poster
Toastoftoasties · 29/03/2023 22:55

As in we will talk to each other mainly over text when we have the child ect what time they’re in bed ect , if he has had his medicines and he will text me what time he is leaving the child back ect. We have no “relationship” we are just friends due to having a complex needs child.

OP posts:
Original poster
Toastoftoasties · 29/03/2023 22:56

I meant mutual in the sense of we have respect for each other if that makes sense.

OP posts:
purpleme12 · 29/03/2023 23:13

I think perhaps OP meant amicable.

I'm confused as to the issue to be honest. I take from your post that he rang them up straight away and told them the mistake? So I'm unsure what the problem is if he's done that?

Original poster
Toastoftoasties · 29/03/2023 23:19

Yes that’s what I meant. i got a letter to the house with his name and my address which means it’s been on their system a few weeks , he just wanted a correspondence letter sent until he got back but not to change his whole address to mine. I’m worried about HMRC seeing this as a change in circumstances and that he’s living there and I haven’t reported it.

OP posts:
purpleme12 · 29/03/2023 23:24

But I thought in your OP you said he rang them straightaway and explained the mistake?

Babyroobs · 29/03/2023 23:32

I doubt it would be a problem if it's just a one off letter and the fact that he can prove he lives elsewhere and has all his other post going elsewhere. I guess if you do get called in for a compliance check or anything you will just have to explain why he did it. I doubt there will be a problem if you are genuinely seperated and able to prove seperate addresses by other means.

liveforsummer · 29/03/2023 23:36

If he's in the army he should have a forces address despite where he's currently staying so this is a bit dodgy on his part

Original poster
Toastoftoasties · 29/03/2023 23:36

He phoned them straight after I told them that HMRC had sent the letter not the tax refund they put on the letter about the change of address. The letter took a few weeks to come. Yes he has another house which he privately rents in his name and he pays all his own bills I don’t contribute. Just worried incase they stop my benefit !

OP posts:
OneFrenchEgg · 29/03/2023 23:41

Why didn't he get the letter sent there? It just sounds a bit daft. Im sure you'll be fine.

Original poster
Toastoftoasties · 29/03/2023 23:44

He was working away with his keys to the house and needed to submit the code within 10 days so I said I would open the letter and give him it It does sound very daft I know he is an idiot

OP posts:
TheEliminator · 30/03/2023 06:49

Years ago when I was on benefits, I lived with my mum and my son. I was able to have my own claim as we were classed as two separate households even though we lived together. As long as the rules haven’t changed, then even if you were Living together then it might not be a problem (don’t quote me on that as I might be wrong)

That being said, people make mistakes all the time and this one is easily fixable. Don’t worry about it 🤷‍♀️

Paperexcelandpens · 30/03/2023 09:38

I notice that you're down as a named driver on his car. You need to be a little careful there as the main driver should be driving the car more than the named driver. If he's away in the Forces is this the case or do you use it more? If so this is insurance fraud called Fronting and is a criminal offence.

BungleandGeorge · 30/03/2023 09:45

If he’s registered at a house of his own I doubt it will be a problem. Will he give you copies of his rental agreement etc if you need to submit them?

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