Should I report a family member illegally claiming benefits?

duchy

Vicky123 wrote: »

I can't get past the notion of an uncle discussing his financial affairs with nieces/nephews.
I would hazard a guess some of my uncles and aunts were pretty artful with their tax affairs but I might aswell have had a one way ticket to Australia if I had the nerve to question them on their honesty, it wouldn't occur to me to be so nosey, probably too busy dealing with my own life.

It probably didn't come from the uncle direct but from siblings or siblings in law gossiping -and for all we know adding two and two and making five. Some families are like that`.

redmel1621

I really, really feel bad for the OP.

I am in a very similar position and have a family member committing benefit fraud. It has been going on for a few years now and is a VERY deliberate fraudulent claim.

Every now and then I think I will report it, I still haven't. I just can't bring myself to inflict on them the misery it will cause. I know it is completely wrong, I know I am almost as bad as them for not reporting it but having been investigated for benefit fraud myself (incorrectly I might add) I know how stressful it is.

I just try to have as little as possible to do with them, which is unfortunate, because it really annoys me that they are doing it. Every time I see them splashing out on stuff I could only dream about affording I feel like slapping them and when they complain about being skint I want to punch them in the head.

To the OP: I have no idea whether you should report it or not. My instinct says yes but I know first hand how gut wrenching it feels to contemplate it.

M xx

Ebenezer_Screwj

Yes, report him. This man is a crook and a parasite, it is totally irrelevant that you share the same DNA.

bitemebankers

goggle wrote: »

Sorry, that argument doesn't wash with me. My moral standards mean that I would not hesitate to do so and yes that would apply if it were my own brother, uncle, friend etc. I am disappointed in so many people in today's society that really have no morals whatsoever.

No, some people just have different morals to YOU.

Some people regard the reporting of relatives to the authorities as morally shady. Some people regard those who would grass up a relative as somewhat evil. So it's actually a dilemma, as suggested by the OP, not the moral absolute you'd like to claim.

Jagraf

bitemebankers wrote: »

No, some people just have different morals to YOU.

Some people regard the reporting of relatives to the authorities as morally shady. Some people regard those who would grass up a relative as somewhat evil. So it's actually a dilemma, as suggested by the OP, not the moral absolute you'd like to claim.

I would report it because its illegal, I suppose that's my moral value. Some people are happy to let others break the law. It has nothing to do with relatives, its thinking its ok to break the law. But that's their moral choice I agree.

I'm not sure where someone without a moral code of law breaking draws the line though. I mean, if everyone has different moral codes how do you form a jury at a trial, if you don't use law as a guide. Should there not be any laws? Maybe those with moral codes outside of the law shouldn't use the law for their own protection. Interesting scenario.

geerex

Far too many people in this thread happy to sympathise with workshy scroungers.
Sums this country up.

Petra_70

I don't think anyone should be falsely claiming benefits, but I would be sure of all the facts before doing anything. Maybe even talk to him about it first.

I am not sure how anyone would know though, unless the person told them, and I can't see that happening. Although, I have heard of people bragging about their benefit fraud and people reporting them. Also, I have known people who are very vocal about being on disability benefits, and people see them doing something physical, and think 'well there is nothing wrong with you!' And then report them.

I have just never known anyone in real life who has bragged about fraudulently claiming benefits, and then been 'grassed up.

I think in some cases, people grass someone up out of spite; because they dislike or resent them. (Not always though.)

lostinrates

Petra_70 wrote: »

I don't think anyone should be falsely claiming benefits, but I would be sure of all the facts before doing anything. Maybe even talk to him about it first.

I am not sure how anyone would know though, unless the person told them, and I can't see that happening. Although, I have heard of people bragging about their benefit fraud and people reporting them. Also, I have known people who are very vocal about being on disability benefits, and people see them doing something physical, and think 'well there is nothing wrong with you!' And then report them.

I have just never known anyone in real life who has bragged about fraudulently claiming benefits, and then been 'grassed up.

I think in some cases, people grass someone up out of spite; because they dislike or resent them. (Not always though.)

I think a key point to remember is that if someone is reported and it turns out they are NOT in fact claiming wrongly, they cannot be punitive impact.

I also am afraid I disbelieve figures for false claims. I was close to someone who kept money in an overseas account of a family member yet claimed benefits. And yes, I said something, explained the situation and nothing changed, it was outside investigation possibility or something.