Benefit Fraud - Should i report??

moneysavingpete

Just wanted to get some peoples opinions on this one from you guys:

My ex-partner and I split up approximately 5 years ago and for the last 4 years has been living with a new man.

Over the last couple of months she has been causing problems as I am planning a wedding with my fiance. Yesterday an old neighbour of my ex has made me aware that for the last 4 years she has claimed Housing benefit, Council Tax benefit, Income support, Child benefit and maintenence from me whilst not declaring her Partner as being there.

I think this is outrageous and really want to report her but she will instantly presume it is me and without a doubt will make it even more difficult to see my Daughter.

Im not expecting someone to say "This is what you must do" but more of an opinion as im in a right dilemma here.

brians_daughter

from my point of view.. i would report them - they are committing fraud.

But you must think about your children, would they suffer? But it is not fair that she should exploit the system as she is.

why would she assume it was you - would the neighbour tell her they told you her personal info? i am surprised no one else has reported her by now if it is known to anyone what she is doing

The choice is yours.. i can see both sides tbh but i would report her. They will be entitled to tc etc dependant on income, and should be able to live on her partners wage and tc. Her new partner should be prepared to support the family. Also, you say she is getting IS, if she no longer got IS she would be able to take advantage of receiving all CSA payments you make, not just the £20 or whatever it is

Stompa

Benefit fraud should always be reported.

tomterm8

You should report it.

pb6672

To my mind there is two issues here.

Firstly, leaving aside the issue that it is your ex-partner and so on, in general terms do you have a moral responsibility to report a fraud if you are aware of it?

Peoples views no doubt vary, and only you know where you conscience is on this question. If you think "yes, I have an absolute moral responsibility to do so" then you have answered your own dilemma and the rest is irrelevant.

Otherwise, the question becomes what do you stand to gain from reporting it and how does that balance against what you stand to lose?

It seems that you have little to gain (revenge? satisfaction of doing the right thing? Those aren't the same, of course!) but potentially something to lose.

So, my opinion would be that unless you feel you have to report her for moral reasons then let the situation be.

A further question that you may like to ask yourself also, is how does the neighbour know? Are they reporting fact to you, or simply gossiping? Unless you have faith in the source of the information you could be creating problems for yourself over nothing.

staffie1

moneysavingpete wrote: »

Yesterday an old neighbour of my ex has made me aware that for the last 4 years she has claimed Housing benefit, Council Tax benefit, Income support, Child benefit and maintenence from me whilst not declaring her Partner as being there.

Why doesn't the neighbour report her? However, at the end of the day I don't think there's anything to discuss on this one - she should be reported, full stop. Any problems she causes as a result must be dealt with seperately, but it needs investigating and stopping if she's in the wrong.

moneysavingpete

Thanks for the comments.........

Its a tough one but I think even before i wrote the post I knew what I should do so I will be making the phonecall.

The neighbour is a good family friend and totally believe them 100%. She hasn't reported it herself as she didnt want it to have a knock on effect on the children but as mentioned earlier this shouldn't be a factor. Afterall there are plenty of us that live by the rules and manage to run a stable household.

Thanks again for the replies, it's good to get a/some second opinions.

staffie1

Well done pete, you're doing the right thing.

flossy_splodge

moneysavingpete wrote: »

Just wanted to get some peoples opinions on this one from you guys:

My ex-partner and I split up approximately 5 years ago and for the last 4 years has been living with a new man.

Over the last couple of months she has been causing problems as I am planning a wedding with my fiance. Yesterday an old neighbour of my ex has made me aware that for the last 4 years she has claimed Housing benefit, Council Tax benefit, Income support, Child benefit and maintenence from me whilst not declaring her Partner as being there.

I think this is outrageous and really want to report her but she will instantly presume it is me and without a doubt will make it even more difficult to see my Daughter.

Im not expecting someone to say "This is what you must do" but more of an opinion as im in a right dilemma here.

Sorry to be the lone dissenter but if it were me, I would not report her.
Not that what you believe her to be doing isn't very wrong, clearly it is, but is it your role to do this??
I don't think so.
Do as you would be done by.
I know I invite the wrath of Hades for saying this but you asked for opinions and that's mine.
Good luck whatever you decide.:cool:

Jowo_2

flossy_splodge wrote: »

Not that what you believe her to be doing isn't very wrong, clearly it is, but is it your role to do this?

Whose role would it be, apart from a person with knowledge about the fraud?

How would anonymous fraud hotlines work if everyone worried that the tip-off could be connected to themselves or waited for someone else to report it?

flossy_splodge

Jowo wrote: »

Whose role would it be, apart from a person with knowledge about the fraud?

How would anonymous fraud hotlines work if everyone worried that the tip-off could be connected to themselves or waited for someone else to report it?

Gosh, who lit your blue touch paper?
We are ALL entitled to an opinion.
The OP asked for people's opinions, I have given mine.
So perhaps you could just chill?
Did I say I was suggesting the reason not to was a fear of being known or to leave it to someone else to do? No, that's right, I didn't.
You're miles off the mark so how about asking instead of attacking?