Housing benefit fraud

keithj1983

Alter_ego wrote: »

Out of interest, why was the 45k tied up in your mum's name? surely it would have been just as easy to tie it up in your name. It would not have been vulnerable to card fraud or similar when you were traveling.
I presume that you were traveling somewhere that phones, internet etc. are not available.
Am I reading correctly that all the money is STILL in mother's name?
Maybe the investigator will be in a generous mood.

Because I was on my travels I was unable to invest it in my name. I know its not great evidence but I was travelling Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam etc and I was concerned about my money as a friend of mine had been cloned before while travelling. All the money is still in my mums name, 45k tied up for another 2 years approx, 7.5k in an ISA because I have my own already and 7.5K is just sitting in a high interest savings account. This is making me look greedy, I would have done this all in my name if I didnt travel or the money came to me sooner, I have gained nothing by having it in my mums name other than the ISA which is not life changing.

Mojisola

If you're going to explain that your mother looked after this money because you were abroad and will show them the paper trail, they're going to ask about the £45k. If you had been able to put that in your name, it would go against your explanation that your mother was looking after your money. Having it all in her name actually reinforces your argument.

I think it's going to come down to whether they believe you and your mother. If they don't (or they are trying to reach targets), you're going to lose a lot of money.

Twisted_Cherry

Your lawyer said not to declare £45k? Where on earth did he train Playschool? Land of the Teletubbies? Button Moon?

Seriously declare it, as they probably know about it anyway and are waiting to see how honest your mother will be whilst being interviewed.

If your honest, it's likely she / you will have to paid back her housing benefit because she would not have been entitled to it with savings of over £6000 - even if it was yours!

keithj1983

Mojisola wrote: »

This was my thinking - I can't understand why a solicitor would advise concealing the other money.

I would also expect a "catch-all" question such as "Is there anything else you need to tell us about" to be asked at the interview.

The solicitor basically said to me "i cant give you advice but if it was me I would get the 45k out of your mums name before thursday and then do not tell tham about it" I told her this was not possible and she said she cant advise me what to do but only to disclose what they know about.

comeandgo

What happens to the £45k after the seven years? It will have to be paid into your mums bank account, will there be interest to declare? There is nothing that will stay hidden involving bank accounts and benefits. If you did not declare it would you and your mum not be worrying and waiting for another letter or call?

stevemLS

Twisted_Cherry wrote: »

Your lawyer said not to declare £45k? Where on earth did he train Playschool? Land of the Teletubbies? Button Moon?

I was thinking along the same lines, I am pretty certain I would be struck off if I gave that advice.

keithj1983

Mojisola wrote: »

If you're going to explain that your mother looked after this money because you were abroad and will show them the paper trail, they're going to ask about the £45k. If you had been able to put that in your name, it would go against your explanation that your mother was looking after your money. Having it all in her name actually reinforces your argument.

I think it's going to come down to whether they believe you and your mother. If they don't (or they are trying to reach targets), you're going to lose a lot of money.

The only way it all makes sense and adds up is by being truthful, If I did try to hide the 45k it becomes hard to put a story together and I would have to lie about things, so I know this is not the way to go really. the HB is £500 a month for the last 5 years so roughly 30k to pay back.

keithj1983

Ok so my mum called the solicitor office where she had the original meeting and she was told that solicitor is in court at the time of our meeting with the council so another solicitor will be representing her. My mum told him the situation and he has advised that you have to honest and they will probably know everything anyway. He said dont focus on the amounts in the accounts because she is only under investigation for failure to discloe accounts. However when we do mention them then im sure the amounts will then come into play. He said its then down to our evidence and the people investigating and its a 50/50 case.

stevemLS

I think you need to thank your lucky stars that the original solicitor is in court.

I hope you'll let us know how you get on and wish you luck.

keithj1983

Now that im comfortable with the route we are going to take (honest about everything) Im going to start to write up a supporting letter for my mum to take to the interview as the solicitor said I cannot attend. I have proof of sale, bank statement from the time showing money going into my account from my solicitor and then me transferring it to my mums account. I also have my passport if that adds any weight as to why we done it and my mum has statements showing all the money is still there today.

Thanks for everyones opinions and advice so far, it helps just talking about it.