Struggling to repay after benefit fraud

Dunroamin

shearersWAG wrote: »

She doesn't have internet at the moment, as her laptop is broken and she doesn't have external internet at work. Plus, she probably wouldn't even think to look online. I did ask her before I posted, and I've been sending her all the advice as it pops up.
I am naturally nosy, I'm not going to deny that, but that isn't the case here. She came to me with the problem, I didn't know anything about her finances until she told me about being prosecuted. To be perfectly honest, I'd rather not know because I find it frustrating and worrying. But she came to me for help, and when I Googled about Wonga and cancelled bank cards, this forum came up and I saw how much experience there was in all things money-related, so I suggested I post to ask for advice on her behalf. I don't think that particularly makes me a nice person, just a friend.

In the form of money I expect.

NoBS_2

No offense, but she has a phone surely?

Simple call to tax credits to get the ball rolling and stop making the debt worse than it already is.

The fact she's been done already is going to be taken extremely seriously by HMRC.

Your friend regardless of her problems is making everything worse by failing to take responsibility. The fact she didn't learn her lesson the first time around leaves her getting zero sympathy from me.

Emmzi

why didn't she ask the person she is living with for help? Surely they are partners in everything....

fiver says you are asked for cash within the month.

seven-day-weekend

I think you have already been given the best advice. Get onto tax Credits imnmediately and get a job, a lodger or an an Avon round to pay them back if necessary,get her partner to contribute, get in touch with a Debt Counselling charity such as CCCS or CAP, stop spending on unneccesary things, get rid of anything she doesn't need such as Sky or an expensive phone, and DON'T lend her any money.

She now has to take reponsibillity for her own actions, although of course you can be there for help and support.

And yes, it will cause her hardship. That's the penalty for the fraudulent claiming.

skintandscared_2

Your friend has to get in touch with Tax Credits immediately. Yes, it's bad, but it will be worse if they have to come after her rather than her confessing herself.

Then when she knows the total that she owes everyone, CCCS or PayPlan can help her sort out arrangements to pay everyone back. Her credit rating will be trashed (a good thing!) and there are some hard lessons to learn about living within her means!!

Trust me, I know it's hard. Until nearly 4 years ago I lived off credit cards and am ashamed of the amount I spent on absolute rubbish that I didn't need. I contacted CCCS in October 2008 and have been slowly paying everything back since then on a DMP. I used to panic if I left the house without a credit card and now I have nearly 4 years experience of living without one completely. It's a lovely feeling! Unless your friend changes her spending habits, she'll get deeper and deeper into trouble.

tartanterra

Two points here:

Having read the OP, I am appalled at the incompetence of the system. HMRC may as well put out a sign saying "Open For Fraud".

The other point is; as a member of the public, YOU have a duty to report this. This is public money, and your friend is stealing from all of us.

tartanterra

shearersWAG wrote: »

And she is doing community service if that cheers any of you up a bit

Due to the nature of what she is doing now, it is highly likely she will be doing prison service in the near future.

xylophone

Take her to CAB and make sure that she provides all the relevant information including the tax credit fraud.
She'll get personal advice tailored to her situation.

Lordhightiggythe3rd

Does her partner KNOW cos surely he should be able to help in some way and she needs to tell tax credit as they will catch up with her one day and it will be a whole lot worse thanh it is now.

Anubis_2

Everyone can make a bad judgement or mistake once, but to repeat that mistake is just pure foolishness and entirely your friends fault.

I think she would be better off coming clean now. The longer she leaves it the worse it will be. While I understand your concern, her second mistake is not your responsibility. I would advise she goes to CAB. ASAP.