Wife has concealed savngs

hanny83_2

I know it's hard but for your own sake and the sake of your children i think you should seriously think about shopping her in. Even if she says that you knew, what she is doing to you is blackmail. If you report this you are the one standing in good steed. She is the one with the money in her account and under the Proceeds of Crime Act she will be the one expected to pay the money back.

mouseymousey99

Then I would encourage you to go and talk to a solicitor yourself David. I'm also thinking the accounts are in her name & just one signature - (i.e not a joint account). The statements appear to have been sent to another address (wife's mother) so not your/wife's home address?
You mentioned a thought that no one would beleive you? I think they would. I know you don't want personal help and respecting that; but can you talk to your father?

movingforward2010

hanny83 wrote: »

If I were you I would get your wife to own up asap as GMS matches on the computer can cross-reference capital in benefit claimants accounts with the fact that they're on benefits and haven't declared it. So even if someone doesn't report you as 'living beyond means' the computer can indeed catch you out. But good luck for the future, and on a personal level I'd always say that honesty is the best policy.

i used to work on GMS, im on DEX now , oh the joy:rolleyes:

hanny83_2

Lol really wxmlad?? Wow! i honestly thought the computers had clever little cogs in them that scanned and matched... but really they have human masterminds behind them. Ooh you learn something new every day!

rosered1963

Dear David,

Sorry to hear about this situation. If you can raise the money, I would go to a solicitor now and them everything. But wouldn't it be best to confide in your father? I know its a lot to lay on a parent, and only you know if you can face doing it. It will probably come out eventually anyway, so why not go to him now...

Failing those options, I would go to Citizens' advice yourself straight away. I hope it works out, and don't worry - take advice and act now and your worry will subside. As you say, the HB claim needs to stop and the money paid back, or you will be forever looking over your shoulder (not to mention the fact that you are so obviously an honest person who can't live like this).
Best wishes:o

Jemma-T

As the others have said -in the main- I'd fess up in this case.

The thing I'd say you must understand, the amount of data sharing that government departments do is massive. Some department's software may have already of noticed this cash and it could be a matter of time before you get a letter (or worse).

Now, if you're happy to go down the route of hiding this further (or pleading ignorant after the fact) then expect at some stage in the future to be caught. If you move any funds from that bank this is where things may fall on your lap. Remember you are severally liable for that cash so no matter what happens in your future relationship with your wife you are liable equally. Forever. Theere's no cut off point for a governemnt debt (or fraud as they'd see it, and it is just that simply of course (albeit by your partner)).

You have been honest and if you were to go to the DWP/Council (there must be other agencies too -have a think) and inform them of the full facts, they'd look fairly at your situation and you'd simply refill forms and pay back what's due. But I assure if they find out from another source (could even be your wife or another family member, government data (including money laundering (which covers large deposits or even opening a new account)) expect a recorded interview, letters, phone calls, threats, money being stopped and lots more agro. Multiply this by the agencies you've been dealing with.

For me -on this occasion only- it's a privacy and mental health issue. Want to go about your lawful business without people poking about and want an easy life? Then, you have already got the answer what to do.

If and when you contact any agency please keep a note of all communications, get your story well prepared (ie you aught not to change it later), make yourself available for all queries etc. I'm not sure you need a lawyer but a visit to a CAB or Advice Shop (not local council at this stage) may help your case as it sets a legal date of when you decided to 'do something'.

Best wishes with everything

hanny83_2

I will have a read up of the Acts again today as I think there might be some form of legislation under the Social Security Administration Act 1992 (or a similar Act) about concealment and partners that do not know about the other one's unlawfulness. I read on your post that you found work two years ago, but if you're not in work at the moment and are on benefits you are entitled to Legal Aid. I'll get reading up on that Act!

suegoo

Could he not just write and say he no longer wants to claim and leave it at that?

fizzel81

nothing to add thats different to whats already been said

just best wishes to you and hope you find a solution

Jemma-T

hanny83 wrote:

unlawfulness

In the wishy-washy smoke and mirrors dictionary of life that, in this case- means "criminality".

I couldn't possibly imagine anyone being dragged to court if we have most of the fact here. It's possible, but if a partner hides money (I can't imagine what else they might hide) from their next of kin then -of course- that partner can't reasonably be held liable overall. However, that person can and will still be chased for the defrauded amount as they are severally liable. They may be in the clear on the criminality front but not the repayment of funds IMO. Like anything that can be tested and others can comment too.

On reflection, if you (talking to the OP here) were 'caught' and you had a full relationship with your partner (you obviously don't -I mean that as a fact only and not an attack) you both could get together and establish a good 'story'. However, the facts speak for themselves and it would seem the partner has involved her sister in her business but not her own husband when that business very definitely affects the husband. That's an entirely private matter of course but it brings in many imponderables and the law covering benefit fraud doesn't have room for words like that.

What the OP must do (as he's posted here) is do the best to protect what he can control. Generally, that's his well-being and that of his closest (ie child) loved ones. That's why I recommended the confession route with the provisos mentioned by many posters. The problem with the confession route is what if the other party (wife) deceides to 'confess' first separately from the other? I can imagine all sorts of accusations.

Time is of the essence here. Get your version of the facts down on paper for yourself to read then get some good advice.