Has anyone ever been reported for working on the side?

[LucySer]

I'm a single mother, few kids and work in a bar at the weekend. Has someone associated with my ex-husband in and for a second I thought did he take a sneaky pic of me there. Forgot about it and Friday there got a letter asking me in to the benefits office for a meeting and could be facing possible penalties etc. The letter does mention evidence and am wondering if I can deny it because they may pull out a picture if that's that lad was doing showing me behind the bar working.

Has anyone any experience of this? If they have actual proof will they produce it? Because I'm sure they will now the more I think of it. Bad enough he fiddled his wages I get £14 for 3 kids, now I think he's trying to punish me in some sick way that will only hurt the kids too!

They could be calling your bluff, it could be random check and they have nothing. But you do risk prosecution and criminal record by lying.

You can work on UC that’s the whole point even few hours is worth while but it has to be declared. Unless you had an arrangment with pub it was strictly cash in hand and off the books they could have found out that way.

you could claim ignorance of the facts but given it’s written everywhere about keeping them informed it might not get you very far. Women up and face music, it is positive you can work that’s good you just went the wrong way about it.

Tbh that's the bit that puzzles me. You can legitimately work some hours. Do you not get a work allowance OP?

1. Oh please, do you think they were born yesterday?
2. You can't just "volunteer" at what is normally a paid job; it's not legal. Various conditions have to be met for it to be legal for a business not to pay someone for e.g. an internship or proper volunteer role, and bar shifts do not qualify.

I don't think legally the friend's picture could be produced in a court to support a conviction. The friend could use the picture to make a benefit fraud report. DWP would then need to collect their own evidence to be brought before a court. This all takes a lot of time, it's very unlikely her friend taking a picture last week has resulted in an interview this week. It's more likely they have suspected a change in circs months ago.

I thought that neither the rich or poor paid any tax? Now everyone pays it? It’s almost as if you have no idea what you’re talking about.

You're one of many who are stigmatising the rest of us honest single mums who simply make do and make the best of it! Thanks a lot
No wonder so many people out there hate single mums and look down on us. Despite the fact that 99% of us never chose to be single mums in the first place! I'm a widowed parent but according to many on here, just another burdensome single mum 🙄

For what it's worth, never been a single mum, most I know are pretty awesome. I'm annoyed by this myself as she could have worked legitimately within the UC work allowance rules. There was no need to do it cash in hand.

If they want evidence all they need to do is ask the landlord or other bar staff. A bit foolish to think no one would notice you working in a bar, the most visible job in the world. As others have said probably best to come clean, plead ignorance if you like, but seems like you've been caught.

Unfortunately it does also play to the stereotype of people on benefit fiddling the system, which is sad for the majority of honest people.

Check your work allowance.

Work Allowance

Instead of having a go at the OP why not focus on the system that allows a man to pay £14 child support for 3 children.

No because I am not a crook.

Op, do you understand that what you're doing is wrong? If you're struggling, I have every sympathy but denying it and blaming someone else for reporting you will look terrible if you are interviewed under caution.

Pp saying you won't go to court etc arebt correct, it depends how big overpayment is

Unless they've asked you to attend an interview under caution, I wouldn't worry too much. If you've been asked to go under caution, get a solicitor.

Just be honest with them.

It's absolutely wrong but it doesn't excuse the OP. She's basically doing the same thing- lying about her income

They may well produce the photo if they do have one. My friend (totally legit) was reported for having her boyfriend live with her as well as her running a nail business from her home whilst claiming out of work benefits. During the interview they produced a couple of photos of his work van outside her house on an evening or early on a morning (can't remember now). He used to visit her before or after work and then went home to his own house. The business thing - she wasn't even qualified in nails. She was still at college and occasionally asked friends to be models to practice on (I was one of them!).

I've also been falsely reported for stuff in the past. One time I got myself into such a stress about it as I was so worried I'd be left with no money to feed my children. The guy on the phone was so kind. He said to call up and ask them for details of any allegation or reports. Maybe it was because they could see mine was likely malicious they gave me that advice or maybe that's the advice for anyone, I'm not sure but call them and see what they say.

Yes I've heard of unpaid shifts as tryouts to see if you can do the job 😉

Before telling the benefits people that you've just started a job, I'd check with the bar that they are happy to put you on the books, if you aren't already. They may not be willing to do that, let you go, then you are in a heap of shit with the benefits office and jobless.