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Mumsnet has not checked the qualifications of anyone posting here. If you need help urgently or expert advice, please see our domestic violence webguide and/or relationships webguide. Many Mumsnetters experiencing domestic abuse have found this thread helpful: Listen up, everybody

Original poster

WOULD YOU REPORT A FAMILY MEMBER FOR BENEFIT FRAUD??

115 replies

wouldyougrass · 22/01/2007 14:03

Ive known for a while they collect benefit, they have a baby but live at home with parents, in their late 20s

they always moan about their life, but never get anything together or do anything about the way they live, ever since she was pg theyve been going to the housing to be put on the housing list - the babys 4 months now and they still havent been

they sleep ALL day

im 90% sure they recieve benefits, not sure what but theyve mentioned it in the past

he works 3/4 nights a week - cash in hand, off the books

it never bothered me until one of them rang DH last night and was asking him which high definition flat screen TV to buy, hes got £1,500

they dont own theyre own car, even though he drives - they borrow the mums car to 'work' the 3 nights - and moan they cant afford a car

so why not buy a car with the 1500???

would you?

OP posts:
expatinscotland · 22/01/2007 14:04

If I were 100% sure, yes.

yorkshirelass79 · 22/01/2007 14:05

Message withdrawn

saralou100 · 22/01/2007 14:12

yes... it's wrong

Callisto · 22/01/2007 14:12

Depends on the circumstances but the pair you're describing sound like they are taking the proverbial so yes, I probably would too.

UCM · 22/01/2007 14:14

I think, in this case you might be doing them and their parents a favour.

LadyOfTheFlowers · 22/01/2007 14:14

i would, seeing as the state dont want to help me.
id be jealous of someone getting their share and more besides.

Imafairy · 22/01/2007 14:15

yes

chai18 · 22/01/2007 14:19

No. They're family.

I know it's very wrong and we're all paying for it, but they're family and to me that means you don't do it.

bogwobbit · 22/01/2007 14:19

I really would like to, but I probably wouldn't be able to, even though they deserve it. Family is family after all.

Biglips · 22/01/2007 14:21

No....but i would remind them what they are doing thou

lazyemma · 22/01/2007 14:21

No - I'd have to really, really hate someone to want to put them in prison, especially if they had children. If I knew them well I'd say something to them about it but otherwise I'd consider it none of my business and do nothing.

Flamesparrow · 22/01/2007 14:22

Yes.

I am currently contacting the housing people to find out what I should do about declaring my miniscule nappy earnings - I have nothing against claiming, but what you are entitled to!

ItsMeMellowma · 22/01/2007 14:23

No because they are family...anyone else....yes!!

madmarchhare · 22/01/2007 14:23

yes

sandcastles · 22/01/2007 14:24

No I probably wouldn't, but until faced with it, cannot say for sure.

Can say tho, that with a 4 month old baby, they probably don't sleep ALL day....

airy · 22/01/2007 14:25

I would. I don't get it when people say 'family is family' etc when it comes to things like this, it's illegal. Every criminal is somebody's family, doesn't mean they shouldn't be made to face up to what they're doing. From the sounds of things reporting them could be the giant kick up the backside that they need to sort themselves out, and of course somebody else might report them in 1 or 3 or 10 years time, then they'd really be screwed.

madmarchhare · 22/01/2007 14:25

lazyemma, they wont go to prison. Most likely, if indeed they are claiming and they shouldnt be, someone will go round and say 'we think such and such' and offer them a get out in a round about way and it will be probably left if they stop claiming.

Cloudhopper · 22/01/2007 14:26

I wouldn't do it in anger about the TV, because it might be a red mist moment that I had plenty of opportunities to regret.

lazyemma · 22/01/2007 14:28

I'm an employment advisor for single parents on income support and can confirm that if benefit fraud is proved, things can get very nasty indeed, and people do get custodial sentences in worst case scenarios.

LucyJones · 22/01/2007 14:28

Are you sure you know all the facts? How can they possibly sleep all day with a 4 onth old?

Flamesparrow · 22/01/2007 14:28

The new adverts seem to have forgotten the prison sentence "an interview under caution and a criminal record" cos oooh, that'll put you off doing it.

coppertop · 22/01/2007 14:29

But you say in the OP that you don't even know what benefits - if any - they are getting. How do you know they are not supposed to be working?

Dinosaur · 22/01/2007 14:31

No, I wouldn't. If you feel that strongly about it, take it up with them.

madmarchhare · 22/01/2007 14:33

lazyemma, I dont really want to get into what I do.

Yes, in the worst cases scenarios people can receive custodial sentences but it is very very unlikely.

I just wanted to let wouldyougrass know if she was struggling with making the decision.

lazyemma · 22/01/2007 14:35

well, if it really is that unlikely, I seem to have an extraordinary large proportion of people who have direct experience of this on my caseload.