Being investigated for fraud!

I'm a single mum, I've been a single mum for a year now , lived with my parents for the first 6 months then got my own place from the council.
This morning I had a knock at my door, hello I'm from the DWP can I come on so we can have a word about your claim ???

They had an anonymous tip off that my ex was living with me, they were told in october he'd already been living here for 3-4 months :o I know who did it too >:( the thing is though, its totally unfounded, he doesn't live here, yes he visits and sometiems stays for tea but thats because we've kept it amicable for the sake of the children.

My word is not enough though and they are now about to start more investigations, what I want to know is what will they look at and what are my rights under the the human rights act?

I cant believe this cow has done this, I know exactly who it is cause she stopped me in the street and had a go at me then went round the school spreading rumours about me, saying that her husband was the father of my kids and stuff (he's not byt he way), I let it lie that time but this time I might not, what action can I take?

Not what I need right now I can tell you!!

Thanks, Viv
Remember...You are not a salmon!
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Comments

  • chugalug
    chugalug Posts: 969 Forumite
    First of all dont panic - it is up to the BA to prove that your ex is living with you and not up to you to prove that he isnt. There is plenty of caselaw about this issue esp what constitutes what is known as ltmw (living together as man and wife). If the investigators can provide any evidence you have a right to see this or at least to argue your case. If things go further ie your benefit is suspended, please go to your local CAB. They may have a specialist welfare benefits advisor who can advise you of your rights fully and also advocate/support you should things progress. I personally wouldnt retaliate against the person who has done this as these things tend to escalate but you need to make your own mind up about that. Anyway, best of luck. I'm sure there are others who can give further advice/opinions.
    ~A mind is a terrible thing to waste on housework~
  • sunflower_2
    sunflower_2 Posts: 1,471 Forumite
    totally agree with the above - i dont think you have any need to worry

    i mean - if i dislike someone can i just go and report them for false claiming of benefits/tax credits just to cause them a load of upset?
    cos if thats the case then the whole system is worse than i thought....

    if they do take it seriously (which i doubt they will without any hard evidence and just on heresay) they will prob contact your utility companies to see whose name is on the bills.
    n they may at worst get someone to watch your house for a day to see who comes n goes... but that costs money !?!?!

    lets just hope that at the end of it all - the nasty sad woman gets into trouble for time wasting and false accusations.

    things like this really upset me - how can people be so evil.
    at the end of the day you have kids to support - didnt she think that her devious ways could affect them...

    >:(
  • Thanks both of you for your replies, I guess I just have to sit and wait to find out whats going to happen, the woman did say they would have to do further investigating though.

    And as for the evil witch who did it, well, lets not even go there, I used to be friends with her and sat quiet while she claimed IS had a job on the side and her bloke living with her too >:(

    From what the woman said today though, its as if I'm not even allowed to be friends with my ex, and yes if you make an allegation about someone you dislike they have to follow it up.

    Revenge as they say is a dish best served cold, I think I'll mull things over for a while, but I doubt very much if I'll ever do anything about it, I'm just too soft for my own good! ::) lol

    Take care, Viv
    Remember...You are not a salmon!
  • Fran
    Fran Posts: 11,281
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    Hi happymummy,

    I don't like to say it but I think you should worry. Go to your CAB and see if they would be able to represent you if you get investigated for fraud (which is a criminal offence). If you have made the first visit to the CAB (when you might have to wait to be seen), you will be able to see them easier the next time because they will give you an appointment, also they will already know your situation which will save time. They can also negotiate with DSS about this (with your permission) while you are there to see exactly where you stand.

    If he has a seperate address and has not been spending nights there I would say you have nothing to worry about, but you do need to be sure that your claim is ok, so definitely go to CAB as soon as possible. If they can't help they will be able to recommend someone who can in your area.

    To find your local CAB go to Citizens Advice website.
    Torgwen.......... :) ...........
  • Bossyboots
    Bossyboots Posts: 6,746
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    If nothing has happened about this by now, the chances are nothing will. The criteria of "living" at the house means spending 4 or more nights a week there. If they were that concerned this was happening they will have been watching the house. It will be up to them to produce the evidence of fraud and if that doesn't exist there is nothing to worry about.

    If anything else is said it is important to make the DWP aware that you have a problem with a neighbour and that you believe it is her being malicious.

    Are you sure the callers were from the DWP? My experience is that they usually invite you for an interview in their office but I realise that might be just a local thing and not a nationwide policy.
  • I am pretty sure she was from DWP she showed me her card and had a case full of files, not all about me though! lol

    SHe said she'd known about this since october but had decided to wait until after christmas to come and visit me, she didnt say why though ???

    She also said that he didnt have to be living here for us to be classed as a couple, that people are under some misconception that they are allowed to have a partner staying X number of night and its not true, if people around thought we were a couple thats apparently enough for them, but surely that would just be hearsay.

    She also said we'd apparently been seen shopping in somerfield together, now I dont even shop in somerfield, I asked her if that had been a member of the public that had seen us she said yes, so once again its hearsay, and circumstancial (sp?) and not true! And anyway so what if I was in the shop with him, is there a law against being amicable with exes? :-/

    Not alot I can do about it now, they're gonna investigate me regardless, but under the human rights act just exactly how much investigating are they allowed to do?

    ::)

    Thanks again, Viv
    Remember...You are not a salmon!
  • Fran
    Fran Posts: 11,281
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    happymummy,

    There is info about benefit fraud and investigations on this website Adviceguide - Citizens Advice. I would still urge you to seek advice on this, especially if they have been observing you since October. They may be able to help stop the investigations by negotiation.
    Torgwen.......... :) ...........
  • jellyhead
    jellyhead Posts: 21,555
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    shopping together and also sharing meals/takeaways are part of the criteria they use to decide if you are living together with somebody as man and wife (as opposed to lodgers, students sharing a haouse, etc.) but if your ex isn't sleeping at your house then i doubt they can make a case out of it, and they certainly shouldn't be able to.

    good luck, contact citizens advice if you need to, they will be able to help you make an appeal etc. if needs be. if your ex goes elsewhere to sleep at night then there's no chance of anyone watching your house 'catching you in the act' and they really do need more than malicious gossip to make a case. good luck :-)
    52% tight
  • Hi there, my friend was investigated two years ago for the same thing. She received a letter asking her to come into the office for an interview. I went along with her & they said that they had reason to believe that a man, possibly her ex was residing with her.
    She explained that her ex, the father of her children, visited regularly to see the kids, but nothing more.

    They too told her that people believe they are allowed to stay a certain number of nights etc, that this is totally untrue and should be declared immediately.

    She had to sign a statement and that was that, they said that they'd be in touch if they needed to.

    She went away and went about her normal everyday life. Nothing was happening with her ex, but I think it put her in a position, where she was frightened to have him around to see the kids etc. I don't think anyone watched her or anything, although I guess it could happen. But as someones already said, that costs money, so unless they are like 99.9% sure you are lying, I don't think they'd bother. They can definately check out household bills and I think they can even look into bank accounts etc, if they have strong reason to believe they need to see them. Although, if you have nothing to hide, I don't think you have anything to worry about.

    Also I don't think they can suspend your money or anything, without hard evidence, afterall that money supports your children, they certainly couldn't risk leaving them without a penny.

    Good luck.
    Treat everyday as your last one on earth! and one day you will be right.
  • This is a bit worrying. I have been seperated for 7 years with divorce almost final. My ex has a new partner and sometimes I stay at her house while she goes away with him (my place too small to have the kids). She gets CTC and WTC. Are we at risk bearing in mind that we never stay there together?
    If it matters,new bloke does stay overnight with her but has his own place elsewhere.
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