Benefit fraud, interview under caution

poppy12345

decbel wrote: »

Come off it.

What it this the secret service.

Lol

With an investigation for benefit fraud, they do anything possible to get the info!

phillw

decbel wrote: »

Tell them to mind their own business.

If they ask a question like that you won't be believed anyway.

Depends on if you tell the truth.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pni_kDv9BsU

Arguing that it's not their business makes it look bad for you, saying no comment makes it look bad for you.

tomtom256

decbel wrote: »

Come off it.

What it this the secret service.

Lol

It's called the Data Protection Act and section 29 (3) allows personal information to be released for criminal investigations.

There is also various other legislation FES use to obtain information whilst investigating.

Not to mention authorised surveillance etc.

Seanymph

It's not unheard of for parents to continue to co-parent after seperation. My ex and I did it. In fact we holidayed every year, several times for around five years or so.

He spent his weekends at my house, in fact he used to bring his washing!

However I wasn't on benefits and I didn't have to answer to anyone.

Arshad_00

I'm sure the OP is 100% genuine.
I'm equally sure there are thousands of couples on this particular fiddle. Usually the lads are bright enough to have all their post etc at mums.

tomtom256

Arshad_00 wrote: »

I'm sure the OP is 100% genuine.
I'm equally sure there are thousands of couples on this particular fiddle. Usually the lads are bright enough to have all their post etc at mums.

But no bright enough to avoid surveillance or insurance fraud or to realise that mum is on benefits too and that he isn't declared on her claim either, so one of them is in trouble!

decbel

tomtom256 wrote: »

But no bright enough to avoid surveillance or insurance fraud or to realise that mum is on benefits too and that he isn't declared on her claim either, so one of them is in trouble!

No one is in trouble.

007 style surveillance forget this fantasy.

Insurance fraud-where on earth did that come from?

decbel

tomtom256 wrote: »

If they ask a question like that they probably have information from the holiday provider regarding the booking anyway, so tend to know what room/apartment etc was booked.

That is the most ridiculous thing I've read on MSE boards for quite a while.

DWP or HMRC are going to ring up a Spanish hotel.

What a load of codswallop.

tomtom256

decbel wrote: »

No one is in trouble.

007 style surveillance forget this fantasy.

Insurance fraud-where on earth did that come from?

It's called RIPA, google it.

And insurance fraud is when they have used partners or mother address for insurance and then found to be living elsewhere. This information is then passed to insurance companies to deal with.

Troll on decbel!

[Deleted User]

I have been to one of these interviews, it wasn't under caution but it was very very nasty. The person interviewing me lied to get me to say what she wanted over and over. I really couldn't believe her attitude. It was incredibly stressful. She even said my child wasn't going to school as if to prove I was making up his special needs and was just a lazy parent (he had diagnosed special needs) although I was able to show a letter from the school that more due to luck than judgement I had to prove he was. It wasn't under caution but the whole interview was very very threatening. And completely unjustified. I wasn't doing anything wrong. Unfortunately the interview wasn't recorded. I wish it had been, it was quite shocking.

I believe you OP. I think the both of you are doing your best to co-parent. See what the decision is, and then appeal if a judgment goes against you Your ex has done her best to provide evidence you aren't living together. The occasional stay over shouldn't count against you. If you stayed over regularly, that would. You have proof of a separate address, you aren't paying her bills, they have no evidence that you stay over regularly (unless she said the wrong thing at the interview, its easy to do when you are in the sort of shock I was at the approach and refusal to listen to what you are saying).

Its a bit late now, but could your ex get a CAB appointment? Might be useful later on if the decision does go against you. Get her to take all the evidence you both have, including evidence of the maintenance agreement, however informal.

I know if I ever had a hint of a similar interview, I'd take a solicitor with me. Not because I am guilty of anything, but for protection.