Best way to report HB fraud?

Wkdwill

Hi

A couple of weeks ago I reported someone for Housing Benefit fraud, she lives in a private rented house and has been (for the last few months) claiming housing benefit not declaring her BFs income and saying he doesn't live there.

I reported her using the online form, but im wondering if I should've rung instead, or do I contact the local council responsible for her claim?

Sixer

Hey, hey, hey! People shouldn't be castigated for reporting benefit fraud. The OP asked a question. If you don't know the answer, keep schtum. (I personally wouldn't want to make a mistake by reporting someone and would need cast iron - written, probably - evidence as I've seen on this board the horrors it can wreak on the innocent, but that isn't the point).

Wkdwill

Sixer wrote: »

Hey, hey, hey! People shouldn't be castigated for reporting benefit fraud. The OP asked a question. If you don't know the answer, keep schtum. (I personally wouldn't want to make a mistake by reporting someone and would need cast iron - written, probably - evidence as I've seen on this board the horrors it can wreak on the innocent, but that isn't the point).

Thanks

Trust me I dont make a habit of reporting anyone and everyone, I have seen letters regarding the claim, I know all about the personal situation, wages etc, I never asked for this information from them and im not a close friend, they just seem to be proud of what they are doing and dont seem to be bothered who knows.

I wouldn't just go reporting someone on a hunch or by hearing rumours or assumptions.

julie03

there is a difference between minding your own business and someone openly committing fraud

McKneff

Wkdwll, you have reported the fraud, just leave it at that. It takes months for anything to happen, they will be watching them,
filming them and going into records that the couple are not aware of. She will get a letter to go in and be interviewed under caution.

I would just get on with your own life now.

And I agree with you. Ive worked 45 years out of my 47 years of working life, and it irritates me beyong measre that these thieves and scroungers milk the system. I applaud yo and I would do it in a heartbeat.

The others that condone it well, it speaks volumes of them doesnt it.

Muttleythefrog

Op... as above I think you should assume it'll take a while to investigate... gather evidence etc.. and that your information has been received. I think I would just let the authorities get on with it. I'm stunned you're being attacked here for reporting what you consider to be well evidenced fraud. If people think they've seen crime then they surely have a duty to report it if they want a better society.

MissMoneypenny

vax2002 wrote: »

I would mind your own business, you will live a longer happier life.
They can summons you to court on threat of arrest as a witness and you will have to face those you accuse and their family, they do store your details, if you are prepared to do this then fair enough.

Having read the above post, I have just reported someone online and then again by phone, so can confirm they don't take your details if you don't want to give them. On receipt of the details of the person committing benefit fraud, they investigate and get their own evidence for court.

Well done OP for reporting those who are stealing from us.

Those people who try so hard to put people off from reporting benefit thieves........ you are not putting us off; quite the reverse.

As far as i am aware, Martin does not condone benefit fraud. I'll report these posts to find out if his stance on that has changed.

dodger1

Wkdwill wrote: »

So benefit fraud is acceptable is it? I like many other tax payers I dont think it is and people should be punished if they think they can cheat the system, if you cant do something honestly you shouldn't do it at all!

No, it isn't acceptable, I'm with you I'd shop them in a heartbeat. If there was no benefit fraud there would be more money available for genuine hardship. Obviously you need to be 100% certain that a fraud is going on though.

Glennn

I may be wrong but it seems the OP knows the person in question and is a little bitter?

My guess is it is either an ex or a friend/family member you have fallen out with? Just a guess could be completely wrong

In which case it looks like you are doing the right thing for maybe the wrong reasons?

Don't shoot me down, just the impression I get from reading the OP's posts

Arg

MissMoneypenny wrote: »

As far as i am aware, Martin does not condone benefit fraud. I'll report these posts to find out if his stance on that has changed.

I'm sure he also mentioned something about this forum giving advice on benefits not informants.

JulieElizabeth

I get that impression too, Glennn