What to do when you know someone is committing benefit fraud?

meloto

hiya I reported a friend of my boyfriends as they were claiming as living apart and were infact a married couple ... the council got a court order thingy to watch them for so long and made note of their movements , they then invited the wife for interview and went through the facts gathered at no time was my name mentioned . they had back rent poll tax and benefits to pay back ... and they had cheek to moan they couldnt afford to go abroad 2 times that year .... downside they split up as wife couldnt cope without benefit payments but hubby is happy as hes got a new found freedom ...sad

Skinticket

the royal family - they should be reported for being benefit scroungers.

Welshwoofs

I'm absolutely amazed by some of the opinions on this thread, especially the 'what goes around, comes around' ones which seem to suggest that reporting people who are bragging about defrauding the state is a bad thing which needs to be punished.

If the OP knows for sure these people are committing fraud then she should report them - it's her moral and civic duty to do so and if I were in her position I wouldn't bloody hesitate for a nanosecond!

If many of the posts on this thread are indicative of the moral calibre of the average man on the street in the UK these days then I absolutely despair.

jetta_wales

Welshwoofs wrote: »

I'm absolutely amazed by some of the opinions on this thread, especially the 'what goes around, comes around' ones which seem to suggest that reporting people who are bragging about defrauding the state is a bad thing which needs to be punished.

If the OP knows for sure these people are committing fraud then she should report them - it's her moral and civic duty to do so and if I were in her position I wouldn't bloody hesitate for a nanosecond!

If many of the posts on this thread are indicative of the moral calibre of the average man on the street in the UK these days then I absolutely despair.

I couldn't agree more. Your signature is spot on too btw.

chigley

vax2002 wrote: »

What goes around, comes around, think of the consequences of them working out it was you. then make a decision. Also bear in mind, if they deny it and are taken to court the defence solicitor can have you summonsed on threat of imprisonment for refusing to attend, to a court to give your information in public court facing the defendants. Once a court becomes involved, the secret anonymous thing goes out of the window very quickly, 2 things then happen if they plead not guilty, they drop the case or you get dragged over the coals, either way the decision is out of your hands, people have been jailed themselves for refusing to face the people they accused in court when summonsed, all trying to do a good turn that went sour. so think first.
If you do not want to stand in court and face them, dont bother, mind your own business and live happy

Morglin wrote: »

If it goes to court, the defence are entitled to know who reported it, and the DWP have to supply the names.


http://news1.capitalbay.com/news/pensioner_couple_suffered_terrifying_hate.html

Lin

Both these posts are absolute rubbish and should be ignored. Anyone who reports benefit fraud can remain anonymous at all times should they wish - there is no need for anyone to identify themselves or give their names, addresses or phone numbers, unless of course they want to.

You can report benefit fraud (which should be a moral duty BTW) on line or by anonymous phone call. All allegations of fraud are then sifted, and either rejected or investigated. It does help to give as much information as possible, so rather than just saying someone is working, a named employer would be of more use to the fraud section.

Darlyd

BOLLOX

I reported someone for having a partner living with them who was working full time, and her ex was paying her £50 a week maintanence for their child cash in hand, and she was working in a a take away few eves a week and she was claiming income support, and housing/council benefit.. I never once gave my name, 5 months later she was caught and then went onto tax credits as her new partner was bringing in an income aswel as her cash in hand job. She never had to pay anything back to them though which got me in a puzzle..

But yes OP DO IT!

Gets right on my tits how they can get away with it..

emma+_6

Report them. Benefits are not a right for whoever wants extra cash, they are there for those who need them. If less people cheated the system there would be more money for those actually in need

but give it a couple of months before you do or they might suss out it was you

Morglin

chigley wrote: »

Both these posts are absolute rubbish and should be ignored. Anyone who reports benefit fraud can remain anonymous at all times should they wish - there is no need for anyone to identify themselves or give their names, addresses or phone numbers, unless of course they want to.

You can report benefit fraud (which should be a moral duty BTW) on line or by anonymous phone call. All allegations of fraud are then sifted, and either rejected or investigated. It does help to give as much information as possible, so rather than just saying someone is working, a named employer would be of more use to the fraud section.

If a reporter gives their details to the DWP, and then if it goes to court, the defence are legally entitled to know WHO reported it.

Obviously, if the reporter remains anonymous, the situation doesn't arise.

But, I would have thought anyone sure of their facts would have no worries about giving their details anyway.

Lin

iluvmarmite

Morglin wrote: »

If a reporter gives their details to the DWP, and then if it goes to court, the defence are legally entitled to know WHO reported it.

Obviously, if the reporter remains anonymous, the situation doesn't arise.

But, I would have thought anyone sure of their facts would have no worries about giving their details anyway.

Lin

The defence may be legally entitled to know the name of the person who reported it, BUT the name is NOT allowed to be read out loud, its just ludicrous to believe that a person reporting fraud would have his/her name read out so the fraudsters know who it is. Can you imagine the trouble that would cause, windows smashed, threatened with violence and even worse, no way would it be allowed for a name to be revealed.

Its scaremongering to suggest a person reporting a crime should be prepared to have his/her name revealed as all you are doing is preventing someone from doing their moral and civic duty by scaring them into not doing it, if I thought for a second my name would have been revealed when I reported someone for benefit fraud theres no way I would have done it due to the consequences.

dseventy

I have reported fraud numerous times, with my details and never had it released. I know of 2 people who got stung, one went to court, the other lost their benefits and had to pay it back. Result all round.

Even if the name was released, would not put me off, fraudsters need shopping!

D70