Is this fraud? What would you do if so?

dmg24

Sounds to me like you are a tad bitter. If you report her the DWP will have to investigate. Even if she was receiving a million pounds a week it would make no difference to her benefits, and so the investigation would be pointless. However, the investigation would cost money, and that money is from the tax payer. Whilst I would encourage the parents to formalise their agreement in order to avoid problems in the future, your suggestion of reporting her for benefit fraud would help no one (I take it he does still want access to his child?).

fluffnutter

dmg24's got it about right. Whilst I certainly don't condone anyone not following the system (I'm a bit self-righteous like that), you've got to question your motivation for doing anything about it given the nature of your involvement in this. I'd be very careful not to piss off the mother of my partner's child, frankly. The repercussions for your fella might mean he doesn't thank you for it...

If you're concerned about this, then speak to your boyfriend. If he's happy with this, I'm not sure what you'd achieve by taking it further.

RadoJo

I don't think the motivations really matter - two wrongs don't make a right so even if the OP is bitter, that's no reason to allow someone to commit benefit fraud (if indeed that is the case, which it seems it may not be). Couldn't your boyfriend insist on going through CSA to formalise the arrangements and ensure that he gets credit for what he is paying her, and that would solve both problems. I really think it's more your boyfriend's place to get involved though - he should be ensuring that he's protected himself against accusations that he hasn't been paying firstly and if that has repercussions for the ex's situation with the DWP then so be it.

fluffnutter

RadoJo wrote: »

I don't think the motivations really matter - two wrongs don't make a right so even if the OP is bitter, that's no reason to allow someone to commit benefit fraud...

It's not 'wrong' for NoLogic to do nothing. We're under no compunction in this society to report any kind of crime. Most of us might decide that we want to (depending on the crime of course), but it's not necessarily wrong to not get involved.

The OP specifically asks a very important question... 'how would it knock on onto the daughter?'. I'd argue this is the most important issue for NoLogic, aside from her unhappiness about a potential benefit fraud. She, I assume, wants a long and happy relationship with her boyfriend, one that will necessarily involve his daughter. If that daughter hears nothing but 'daddy's girlfriend's a complete cow, I hate her' from her mother once she realises she's been shopped, it's not going to be the best way to develop a good relationship with her fella's child.

These sort of things need to be considered. It's too simplistic to say the moral thing is to do *this*. We all have our own lives to consider. I think the best person to tackle this is the boyfriend, as you have also mentioned yourself.

BlueAngelCV

I don't see that anything that the OP has posted gives any indication that she is considering reporting her because she is bitter.

From the information she was given the ex was not reporting monies she was receiving for the purposes of claiming more money. She specifically said that she wasn't sure about reporting it because she was worried about implications for the child.

The fact that people have said that maintenance does not effect her benefits means that this is not the case but the OP wasn't clear at the time and was asking for advice not judgement.

dmg24

BlueAngelCV wrote: »

I don't see that anything that the OP has posted gives any indication that she is considering reporting her because she is bitter.

From the information she was given the ex was not reporting monies she was receiving for the purposes of claiming more money. She specifically said that she wasn't sure about reporting it because she was worried about implications for the child.

The fact that people have said that maintenance does not effect her benefits means that this is not the case but the OP wasn't clear at the time and was asking for advice not judgement.

NoLogic wrote: »

Well in all honestly, what I earn in any way shape or form I pay tax on, I don't see why people should be allowed to 'fiddle the system' and cost me more. But that's why there's laws against it.

If that's not bitter I don't know what is!

George_Michael

If that's not bitter I don't know what is!

Well, I see it as someone being annoyed that some of the money that they pay in taxes is being used to fund benefits that may not be rightfully due to the claimant.

I don't see why people should be allowed to 'fiddle the system' and cost me more.

I don't think that being upset at this is being bitter.

OneFlewOverTheCuckoosNest

George_Michael wrote: »

Well, I see it as someone being annoyed that some of the money that they pay in taxes is being used to fund benefits that may not be rightfully due to the claimant.



I don't think that being upset at this is being bitter.

Yes but, George Michael, it could just be a careless whisper

marleyboy

I would only report a case like this if I MYSELF knew about it, not being prepared to say "A friend told me". You have nothing but idle gossip, no actual proof. And yes I would say this has more to do with stirring than a moral duty.

Feel free to report it, the Government can always look into it to be sure, but I fear will more than likely take the advice with a very small pinch of salt, as a case of sour grapes. Particularly when they find out you got this "tip" from second hand sources and moreso from someone who coincidentally, just happens to be her Ex.

williacg

I agree with Marleyboy, if the ex himself was reporting the matter that would be entirely different, but for his current girlfriend to be the one reporting this to the authorities, would make me wonder what the real intentions behind it were.