Cash for snitching on benefit cheats

Radiantsoul

It seems like a reasonable idea.

sjaypink

Maxiwax wrote: »

This is dangerous ground. Nearly everyone knows someone who works for the council. The informers details could be sourced by the accused, could get ugly.

The DWP aren't the council? If details are taken and payment made from a central office the chances of you knowing someone with access to that info are very small

...I probably wouldn't though

wageslave

carolt wrote: »

I don't know anyone in that position.

If it was someone I knew vaguely, I suspect I'd do it anyway, just because I was so cross.

Would the offer of cash make me more likely to do it? Yes, probably - it might make me put it higher up my 'to do' list.

I don't like it and it makes me very cross. I hate stereotypes but she is a typical pi key and much as I would prefer not to admit it, dishonesty seems to be imbedded in some of our DNA.

I just keep thinking karma........

wageslave

Maxiwax wrote: »

I always remember someone gettting grassed up years ago and when they went in for the interview it turned out they knew the officer, he turned the screen towards the interviewee and the grassers details were there.

I once worked in haulage and we had loads of agency drivers who were signing on too.

Almost exactly the same thing happened.

It's a small town and everyone was at school with everyone else......

elaina79

This could end up costing far more than the benefit fraud itself. Lets say family who live at number 12 see their neighbours at number 14 don't work but manage to have the same if not more than them. They know they get benefits for disability but everyone in the house appears normal. They phone the benefits fraud line in the hope of getting some cash.
This all now has to be investigated but it turns out that the claims are legitimate. How much money would have been wasted by checking up on this family.
I have lost count how many times I have read on here someone claiming they know that their neighbours or someone they know is claiming fraudulently because they appear normal.

treliac

peterg1965 wrote: »

Frank Field as Social Security Minister apparently proposed some radical reforms to the Welfare state and benefits in 1997/98. He was shown the door by Tony Blair. 13 years later they decide to try and do something about it! Is there an election looming?

Good point - it's probably just a passing thought.... which will have passed away come June.

carolt

treliac wrote: »

Good point - it's probably just a passing thought.... which will have passed away come June.

Along with this govt.

Next govt are more likely to get tough anyway - hardly their core voters.

wageslave

I don't see how you can stop benefit fraud and I am not entirely sure that we should.

Those at the bottom end will always be on the rob. Needs must.

When I left my husband, I was beyond skint. I stole coffee from work, toilet rolls, anything really that was any use.

By any criteria, I should have been sacked. If I had been caught I would have been.

I was desperate. I am not excusing what I did, merely explaining it. It is easy to sit here now, from a position of relative comfort, and have a go at what I did.

I'd have stole the sugar from your tea if it would have helped feed my daughter. Faced with the same circumstances, I would do exactly the same thing.

I know, Jeeesus I know, that not every benefit cheat is desperate but at the end of the day who am I to judge?

It is ultimately me who pays for them and if I can live with the odd greedy sod as opposed to a child somewhere going hungry then isn't that my choice?

It is probably my background, I have no moral problems with theft. I do, however, have problems with taking more than you need.

But when push comes to shove, I am not that honest myself

wageslave

Desertfox wrote: »

We should definitely try to stop benefit fraud, on condition it adds value to society (i.e. it is cost effective).
If someone can't afford the basics then I'm o.k. with them stealing from a large supermarket or company.
However is someone robs the taxpayer purely through selfish non-altruistic behaviour (to buy the latest trainers or drugs e.t.c.) I frown upon it.

I won't judge. I am a thief.

You are a nice middle class bloke living a nice middle class life. You can't judge. Moccasins and miles.

So if I wont judge and you cant, who does that leave?

My mother possibly. She is the only entirely honest working class person I know. Only she is anything but working class protected as she is by my fathers money.

So find me a scally without sin and let them cast the first stone.

elaina79

wageslave wrote: »

I don't see how you can stop benefit fraud and I am not entirely sure that we should.

Those at the bottom end will always be on the rob. Needs must.

When I left my husband, I was beyond skint. I stole coffee from work, toilet rolls, anything really that was any use.

By any criteria, I should have been sacked. If I had been caught I would have been.

I was desperate. I am not excusing what I did, merely explaining it. It is easy to sit here now, from a position of relative comfort, and have a go at what I did.

I'd have stole the sugar from your tea if it would have helped feed my daughter. Faced with the same circumstances, I would do exactly the same thing.

I know, Jeeesus I know, that not every benefit cheat is desperate but at the end of the day who am I to judge?

It is ultimately me who pays for them and if I can live with the odd greedy sod as opposed to a child somewhere going hungry then isn't that my choice?

It is probably my background, I have no moral problems with theft. I do, however, have problems with taking more than you need.

But when push comes to shove, I am not that honest myself

You have hit the nail on the head there. :T

I dont think there is anyone out there who wouldn't do the same if they had not a penny in their pocket and no food. Its so refreshing to hear someone as honest as you.