Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. A phone that grows with your child.

Meet the Other Phone.
A phone that grows with your child.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Money matters

Find financial and money-saving discussions including debt and pension chat on our Money forum. If you're looking for ways to make your money to go further, sign up to our Moneysaver emails here.

Original poster

Benefit Fraud Advice

110 replies

Blailey · 27/02/2024 07:38

I’m looking for some advice regarding benefit fraud and the chances of me going to prison.

My partner is the father to all three of my children and is registered at his parents house. We have been together for 10 years and I have claimed HB, CTC and have now moved over to Universal Credit. I have always claimed as single as he’s registered at his parent’s and to be perfectly honest, we struggle to make ends meet even with the benefits. When we moved into our home 7 years ago, I only put my name on the tenancy.

I have recently received a message from UC about a compliance interview over the phone. I think a friend that I fell out with has reported me, she knew what was going on with my benefits.

Since I got the message, my partner has moved into his parents as I’m so worried that I will go to prison.

Could they have been watching my house? I’m so worried that if they know he’s been living with me for 7 years then I will have to pay all of the money back and I could get a criminal record. Hopefully now he is at his parents, they will see he’s not living here.

Had anyone been in a similar position? What was the outcome. I’m loosing sleep!

OP posts:
MadMadamMimz · 27/02/2024 13:22

Your best action at this stage is to get legal advice and fess up. By trying to lie, you will be digging yourself an even greater hole.

I am genuinely flabbergasted that you are trying to justify your fraud (and it is fraud) because "other people do it." Astonishing.

Dornana · 27/02/2024 13:23

The simple fact is that you are a thief and you are stealing taxpayers money. My money that I've worked hard to earn. I hope you are made to pay it all back and that you are punished.

aband · 27/02/2024 13:25

Queijo · 27/02/2024 08:56

Oh fgs not you being a sock.

Clearly not when I’ve not agreed with her at all.

aband · 27/02/2024 13:26

To be honest if they did start to give jail time to BOTH adults and put the kids in care it would stop this happening.

candgen625 · 27/02/2024 15:10

Surely this can't be true. If you have been committing fraud I'm sure they have evidence and it may go better for you to be honest

OlderGlaswegianLivingInDevon · 27/02/2024 15:10

@Ilikewinter

Yes ! There are 140 new jobs happening at UC in Plymouth just for that very reason, I know as I enquired about applying for one.

NonoLePetitRobot · 27/02/2024 17:51

Imagine the police are investigating the thief of thousands of pounds in cash. That is the level of investigation that is quietly going on

So, not much then 😃

elkiedee · 27/02/2024 19:07

If this is real, OP, I'd suggest you seek legal advice, and get this thread taken down, because whatever happens to you and your family, you're not going to get much that's helpful from posting here.

If a friend or relative told me s/he was doing this, I think it's wrong, but I would also worry about the impact of being investigated and prosecuted a few years on - not just for the adults doing this but their children.

8dayweek · 27/02/2024 22:24

That's the gamble OP - it's either a routine Compliance check and just coincidence orrrrrr they have all the evidence they need already and this is a chance to see if you admit and take Overpayment / Fraud Penalty.

If it's the second scenario and you don't disclose / deny, then Interview under Caution and possible Prosecution would be next steps (plus obviously Overpayment, Fraud Penalty and Fine).

Bestdressed · 27/02/2024 22:41

Wow this is so bad I’m 57 and I work 50 hrs a week …you have the cheek to say he has moved back with his parents when the whole time you have been committing fraud why should you get benefits we are all struggling but don’t break the law do you expect sympathy your a joke if you do it’s disgusting what your doing so do the crime expect to do time you know it was wrong why should my tax pay for your fraud DISGUSTING

Bestdressed · 27/02/2024 22:46

WithACatLikeTread · 27/02/2024 09:22

At some point they are going to find out. They might have been slack investigating people on tax credits but they are really coming down on people on UC very hard.

Him moving out just after makes you both look very guilty. Do you go and shoplift because you know others are doing it?

Edited
Show quote history

I like your comments

Totired · 27/02/2024 22:50

It always amazes me when people have multiple children over time with the same partner but expect the authorities to think they aren’t a couple 🙄

lilaclustre · 01/03/2024 14:26

Disgusted by this. Don't have three children if you can't afford them, it's why my sister stopped at one.

Everything that is wrong with our society. You deserve to go to prison, might shock you into developing a bit of a conscience and stop living off net taxpayers like my husband.

Appalling attitude.

YellowMellowJelly · 01/03/2024 18:29

Don't worry about it @Blailey. It's probably nothing to do with your partner but something to do with your earnings but now is probably the time to put his name down and start a joint claim.

fizzwhizz1 · 01/03/2024 19:44

On UC you can be married and in a relationship as long as you can prove you're living separately. The rules for Tax credits were very different. I'm not saying I condone this, merely stating facts.

Bestdressed · 01/03/2024 20:14

fizzwhizz1 · 01/03/2024 19:44

On UC you can be married and in a relationship as long as you can prove you're living separately. The rules for Tax credits were very different. I'm not saying I condone this, merely stating facts.

She wasn’t living separately gave a different address for him but they lived together claiming benefit as a single woman committing fraud why the fuck should law abiding ppl pay for there deception go to prison your deserve it

LoadOfToad · 02/03/2024 15:53

Bestdressed · 27/02/2024 22:41

Wow this is so bad I’m 57 and I work 50 hrs a week …you have the cheek to say he has moved back with his parents when the whole time you have been committing fraud why should you get benefits we are all struggling but don’t break the law do you expect sympathy your a joke if you do it’s disgusting what your doing so do the crime expect to do time you know it was wrong why should my tax pay for your fraud DISGUSTING

OP is not responsible for your situation. If you are struggling as much as you say, it is unlikely you are paying enough tax for it to go back into the benefits system.

Bestdressed · 02/03/2024 16:16

LoadOfToad · 02/03/2024 15:53

OP is not responsible for your situation. If you are struggling as much as you say, it is unlikely you are paying enough tax for it to go back into the benefits system.

Show quote history

What the hell are you on about I pay my tax I work 2 jobs I didn’t say anyone was responsible for my situation when I said we are all struggling I was on about the present climate of inflation me personally I’m doing ok I pay my tax I was on about she is taking from the tax payer so get your facts straight before trying to belittle me

WOMANDOWNN · 20/06/2024 12:45

What was the outcome op

TheIceQween · 20/06/2024 13:17

@WOMANDOWNN I wander if OP will have access to a device in prison to reply?

Boysmum2020 · 27/06/2024 19:47

@Blailey what was outcome of this?
going throu something a little similar although it’s more to do with not changing circumstances had an IUC in may still awaiting outcome

Myfamilys · 30/06/2024 10:09

You just confessed to all your crimes on a public website anyway so that's now on the Internet forever for any investigators to see! Time to finally take responsibility for yourself and grow up, confess everything and take your punishment.

Original poster
Blailey · 24/09/2024 19:21

Boysmum2020 · 27/06/2024 19:47

@Blailey what was outcome of this?
going throu something a little similar although it’s more to do with not changing circumstances had an IUC in may still awaiting outcome

It was all ok in the end. I had the interview over the phone and explained he wasnt living with me and they left it at that

OP posts:
lilaclustre · 24/09/2024 19:37

But he was living with you?!

So you got away with benefit fraud, great. You must be so proud of yourself.

Disgusting attitude from you.

Ffs22 · 25/09/2024 10:02

Well there you go then.. another example of benefit fraud paying off. What a fucking joke this country is.