So worried .Advice needed.Interview under caution

schristine06

schristine06 wrote: »

I have always been a law abiding citizen so receiving an official letter informing me that i am to be questioned under caution for a possible criminal offence is EXTREMELY worrying.

Also being in a pressurised environment fills me with dread.
I am the type of person that walks through the "nothing to declare" gate at the airport with absolutely nothing to declare but still filled with dread!:eek:

neverdespairgirl

schristine06 wrote: »

I have always been a law abiding citizen so receiving an official letter informing me that i am to be questioned under caution for a possible criminal offence is EXTREMELY worrying.

I can completely see why you are worried, but was just trying to be calming, that's why I said not to panic.

dawn_rose

Hiya just another note if her parking fines go to your address she hasnt changed her address on her driving licience which is an offence (seperate to this i know but just a heads up) it could mean a fine for your daughter.

schristine06

Hi. I called the fraud investigator yesterday to get confirmation of who the undisclosed non dependant is and she confirmed that it was my daughter She added that they had evidence in "black and white" but would not disclose any further info. I just stated that I would be attending and would bring along evidence to disprove their claim.
I spoke to community legal services and was tołd that unfortunately I would not be entitled to any legal help with this type of case. This means I therefore have to defend myself. Can anyone advise me please on the best types of evidence to take along? I was considering asking neighbours to write statements confirming that my daughter has not lived at my address for many years. Will this be enough? I would ideally like to go along with piles of statements so they realise I am bring honest! Any advice would be very much appreciated. Thanks

MEM62

schristine06 wrote: »

I would ideally like to go along with piles of statements so they realise I am bring honest! Any advice would be very much appreciated. Thanks

Surely the only statement you need is from your daughter. As long as she tells the truth you have no issues.

pmlindyloo

schristine06 wrote: »

Hi. I called the fraud investigator yesterday to get confirmation of who the undisclosed non dependant is and she confirmed that it was my daughter She added that they had evidence in "black and white" but would not disclose any further info. I just stated that I would be attending and would bring along evidence to disprove their claim.
I spoke to community legal services and was tołd that unfortunately I would not be entitled to any legal help with this type of case. This means I therefore have to defend myself. Can anyone advise me please on the best types of evidence to take along? I was considering asking neighbours to write statements confirming that my daughter has not lived at my address for many years. Will this be enough? I would ideally like to go along with piles of statements so they realise I am bring honest! Any advice would be very much appreciated. Thanks

You need to provide evidence that your daughter is living at her boyfriends address.

So, off the top of my head:

Is she on the electoral register there?
Is she registered with the doctors at this address?
Has her place of employment got the correct address?
Has she any bank/PO/savings accounts registered at the correct address?
Mobile phone (not sure if this is registered in any way)

Will try and think of some more.

Evidence from neighbours/daughter may be useful but you are far better off getting 'official' evidence.

schristine06

My daughter has written a statement confirming that she has not resided here for a few years but i feel this is not enough.
I would rather go along with a strong case as its my one and only opportunity to clear my name.
I have read up so much over the past few days on benefit fraud and interviews under caution and everywhere states that its very important to seek legal advice and not to attend alone. I unfortunately cannot afford to pay for the services of a solicitor as advised so am trying to build up a strong a defence as possible.
Thanks for your input.

967stuart

I'd be interested in this if it was me (especially if I hadn't done anything wrong).

Just go along and see what they have to say.
Just be mindful of your answers.

I really wouldn't worry to much about it, the council is mostly run by morons so no doubt it's another balls up on their part.

Make sure you give them some stick when you prove them wrong.

pmlindyloo

Just to add that any evidence you take to show that she moved out should date back to when you first started claiming benefits.

pmlindyloo

I know you have been looking at various websites. Have you looked at this one?

http://www.advicenow.org.uk/advicenow-guides/problems-with-benefits/how-to-handle-an-interview-under-caution/