If a relative is defrauding benefits

sue_balu

Hi this is an ethical dilema I would appreciate other's views on.

A relative is claiming benefits on the basis that she is a single mum of 2 with no income at all.
She has always been living with the kids father who sometimes works and sometimes doesnt. Kiddies grandmother pays all utilities on a fairly regular basis.
OK we could all probably "overlook" that ...however its more interesting now that last year the couple won a couple of hundred thousand on Lotto....and are still claiming all their benefits! The kids father doesnt work at all now though!

As a hard working tax payer all my life I find this grating on my nerves rather a lot.
However I do love the kiddies and would hate to see them suffer.
I find it incredible that there can be no checks in place to pick this up by the Benefits Agency??

Would you inform the authorities of this fraud which must be a huge sum of money?

comping_cat

Not sure what i would do in your situation, but one thing i would say, is that im sure the children wont suffer, if the parents have already won a few hundred thousand on the Lotto!!!!! (i believe benefit fraud normally means paying back any overpayments, and rarely mean prison)
I would like to think i would do the desent thing and report them, but it is a difficult dissision when its a family member!!!!

wigginsmum

sue_balu wrote:

Would you inform the authorities of this fraud which must be a huge sum of money?

Yes I certainly would.

Bossyboots

Actually, I think I would. The benefits system is there for people who need it but I would accept that at times people might feel they need to prop up their benefits by a little earnings on the side, simply to get by.

However, these people are being greedy and dishonest and they deserve to be reported so that they can be made to pay the stolen money back. The kiddies are hardly likely to suffer. Benefit cheats seem to be treated pretty well by the courts overall so they will no doubt get smacked wrists and be ordered to pay the money back.

I would say you owe it to the moral well being of these children that their parents are dealt with for their fraud.

mountainofdebt

Yes on two accounts.....


a) claiming benefits on the basis of being a single mum

b) having savings and not declaring them.


I can't see why people seem so reluctant to inform the authorities when it comes to this sort of thing......ok the govenment may give them the money but who the hell gives the money to the government.

Also, it stops/decrease help going to those people who do need it.

AnnieH

This is an ethical dilemma that it very close to my heart. A relstive of mine is also defrauding the benefit system and I have wondered long and hard about whether or not to inform them. I haven't as yet, but don't really know what to do for the best.

sue_balu

Hi Bossyboots
Thanks for your post.
I am probably niaive but I assumed if the BA/court found out about the current fraud (since lotto win) they would automatically go back to the start of the claims -which must be over 10 years - find out they have all been dishonest as she never lived alone and did receive other funding (either thro granny or partner) the scale of the fraud could mean prison or heavy fine, thus costing what remains of lotto win. If that happened the kids would suffer....Do you really think she would only have to repay?

lynzpower

I would report them. Its all anonymous in any case. ALthough I would be the sort of loud mouth who turns to my family and says, STOP SCROUNGING IM REPORTING YOu.

I hate this sort of tihng, and the only reason people do it is cos they can get away with it.

sue_balu

HI Lynzpower
Thanks for your post.
To be honest I had thought of threatening to report her so she would stop claiming but (a) I would be ostracised from all the family for doing so and (b) I fear reprisals from the partner - I wouldnt put it past him to hurt or frighten my elderly Mum - I would take the risk if it were just me to consider.

If I did anything it would have to be the anonymous report. Still considering what to do.......

singlehouseholder

Just to say, if you do decide to go ahead and inform the appropriate authorities try and provide them with as much information as possible. Also, dont expect to see results straight away, it can take time for the fraud depts to gather sufficient information to prosecute. As OP has said, it isnt like there's a little few extra quid being made on the side here, its huge fraud. Why should the tax payer continue them.She would pobably only have to repay the bens she'd fraudelently claimed, its highly unlikely she will actually go to prison, especially with kiddies, at least she'll be able to afford a decent solicitor. You do what you think is right, and good luck whatever you decide.

incognito

i have a similar dilemma. i know that a disabled relative of mine is not disclosing savings he has. although he doesnt have severe mental difficulties he is niave and has led a very sheltered life. he is aware what he is doing is wrong but i dont think he would associate it with fraud. i worry that he is going to get caught and the effect on my family but also my legal position, in that i am aware of it but not reporting it.