Help: when do they prosecute?

Worried_fool

I have been receiving income-based JSA for a few months, and today I received a letter and form from the "Benefit Integrity Centre", asking me to confirm that the information I have already provided is correct. Since I know that this means fraud investigation, I had a good think whether there was anything wrong with my claim (that they might now have heard about). I recalled that I still have an interest-bearing account in another country: one that now automatically exchanges information with HMRC and so with the benefits people. I have not used the account for a long time and so have stopped thinking about it, but the balance is probably enough to affect my benefits (depending on the exchange rate).

So: if they choose to prosecute I don't think I would have any defence. So what is likely to be the best way to reduce the likelihood of prosecution: confess everything, or just close down my claim and not give them any information, or?

And if anyone wants to comment on my intelligence, look at my user name and you'll see that I appreciate what you are going to say.

raven83

i received one of them letters too today but i havent done anything to worry about, they are spot checking lots of people at them moment.

thorsoak

Come clean : give them the figures and let them work out how much you have overclaimed. Then arrange a repayment plan!

mynameistallulah

Worried_fool wrote: »

I have been receiving income-based JSA for a few months, and today I received a letter and form from the "Benefit Integrity Centre", asking me to confirm that the information I have already provided is correct. Since I know that this means fraud investigation

You are wrong, the BIC is checking all claims at present, due to a good number not having been reviewed for many years.

paddedjohn

How much do you have in the account?

raven83

mynameistallulah wrote: »

You are wrong, the BIC is checking all claims at present, due to a good number not having been reviewed for many years.

Is this true? And if so how do you know? We got a letter this morning and while it didnt sound threatening it still made me feel uneasy, is it nothing to worry about?

salfordgirl

A letter from the integrity department may be totally random, or it may be that they have information which you haven't declared.

If you have a bank account which you know will take you over the limit for benefits claim, why didn't you declare it?
How much is in the account?

princessdon

At the end of the day whether you are "caught" or not I assume you have at the very least stopped your claim now?

McKneff

It must be quite a lot for it to affect your benefits.

And you 'forgot' about it :rotfl::rotfl::rotfl:

Give over...............

sleepless_saver

Worried_fool wrote: »

So: if they choose to prosecute I don't think I would have any defence. So what is likely to be the best way to reduce the likelihood of prosecution: confess everything, or just close down my claim and not give them any information, or?

If you inform them that you forgot all about this account when you filled in the form but are doing so now so that they can take back any overpayment, it's very unlikely that they would want to prosecute. If you close down the claim, there is still a chance it could be picked up and you would have a lot more hassle than if you had come forward. And what would you be living on? If the amount is small it is unlikely you would be prosecuted though.

I'd say tell them now and don't have it hanging over you.

loony2012

i had one of them letters. About 1 year ago. Nothing ever came of it after i replied back on filling it in.