Anonymous tip-off - how anonymous is it??

Sea_Shell

If one were to call with (or do on-line) an anonymous tip-off of suspected Benefit fraud, does anyone know how would the DWP/LA would handle it.

Do they blurt out "we've had a tip-off" or are they more subtle....like "we'd like to carry out a routine review of your circumstances"

Is there a risk you'll be found out as being the "dobber"?

Cheers.

theartfullodger

It is the citizen's duty to inform the relevant authorities of wrongdoing: We take it, do we, that you'd bother to let Police know if you saw someone being murdered??

Sea_Shell

Of course....but I've watched too much television/films and would always be worried that it involved a drug cartel or something, and i'd need to go into witness protection!!!

Back on topic....Do you know how DWP handle it their end?

theartfullodger

I do know of one instance when HMRC pursued someone after they had been informed of his additional earnings he had inexplicably failed to declare..

oldhand

theartfullodger wrote: »

I do know of one instance when HMRC pursued someone after they had been informed of his additional earnings he had inexplicably failed to declare..

Yes but he is no longer chancellor any more.....:D

Housing_Benefit_Officer

We never reveal where we got the information. We never reveal the investigation was as a result of a tip off. We have to gather evidence from surveillance, bank statements and then interview the claimant to discuss any discrepancies.

Sea_Shell

Housing_Benefit_Officer wrote: »

We never reveal where we got the information. We never reveal the investigation was as a result of a tip off. We have to gather evidence from surveillance, bank statements and then interview the claimant to discuss any discrepancies.

Thank you, that is good to know.

NeilCr

Savile wrote: »

I would not bother I have reported 3 people for swinging the lead and guess what they still are! Nothing ever happens because there are so many at it. And if you kick them off the jobless figures goes up so in effect it is lose lose for the government.

Of course they did actually have to be swinging the lead. As opposed to your rather myopic view of the whole situation.

Housing_Benefit_Officer

Sea_Shell wrote: »

Thank you, that is good to know.

Even if it goes to Court any anonymous or non anonymous information is never declared or revealed. We have never revealed an informant even if the claimants legal representatives suspect and ask for it.

[Deleted User]

theartfullodger wrote: »

It is the citizen's duty to inform the relevant authorities of wrongdoing: We take it, do we, that you'd bother to let Police know if you saw someone being murdered??

Is life so cheap now?

Mersey_2

Sea_Shell wrote: »

If one were to call with (or do on-line) an anonymous tip-off of suspected Benefit fraud, does anyone know how would the DWP/LA would handle it.

Do they blurt out "we've had a tip-off" or are they more subtle....like "we'd like to carry out a routine review of your circumstances"

Is there a risk you'll be found out as being the "dobber"?

Cheers.

I think the DWP must handle it differently to Councils (from what Housing Benefit Officer has said).


The DWP won't - or shouldn't - reveal the name who informed, but they will inform the claimant that they have received a 'tip-off.' [From memory I think either a Court or Upper Tribunal decision or just DWP practice changed 5 or so years ago saying that they should do so in order to allow the claimant to respond by rebutting how eg what a neighbour witnessed could be misconstrued]


But clearly if you report it anonymously, they couldn't reveal any name - even by mistake [there was one glaring example of DWP maladministration when the counter fraud guy left the guy's name facing the claimant! But clearly that's one in a million which is why it became famous]


Morally, I'd report it - as it's taxpayers' £ - but it's your decision.