Being Falsely Accused Of Benefit Fraud

Wms

Hi guys,

I am hoping someone can offer me some advice or such.

I suffer from quite substantial mental health issues which resulted me losing my job and home. Thankfully I was quite quickly housed in social housing and placed onto state benefits. Not long after this I began to be 'harassed' by neighbours such as them calling me derogatory terms, throwing things at my windows, stealing things from outside of my home etc. This progressed to them claiming I was causing anti social behaviour to the local council, being reported to the RSPCA with them claiming I was neglecting my dogs and reporting me to the police for fabricated issues (all of which were disproved). They have now reported me for benefits fraud on three occasions (again all were investigated and disproved).

However, each time they report me for the supposed fraud, my benefits are suspended and I have to wait until any investigation is completed for it to be reinstated. This has left me unable to pay bills, buy food and even being threatened with eviction owing to my Housing Benefits being stopped.

Having spoken to the DWP extensively, they have advised that they have to investigate each report even if it is by the same person as long there are three months between each report. Therefore I will have to contend with this happening as long as my neighbours continue to report me. This is not only affecting my health but as stated has often left me without money to feed and clothe myself. Although the DWP agree this may be being done vindictively so to speak, they will not divulge who is reporting me due to data protection.

I have reported the matter to the police who have said that this is regarded as malicious contact/harassment but they can only take action if they can obtain proof of who is doing this which owing to the rest of the property being 'close knit' could actually be one of a number of people, so this is an impossibility. As stated, they are also covered by the Data Protection Act so I would not be able to gain any information from the agencies they have reported me to.

If anyone can offer any advice or know of any way I could find out who is causing me these issues, it would be gratefully appreciated.

annandale

I was maliciously reported for benefit fraud. My benefits weren't stopped. Why are they stopping your benefits. I'd be asking your landlord to rehouse you

Wms

annandale wrote: »

I was maliciously reported for benefit fraud. My benefits weren't stopped. Why are they stopping your benefits. I'd be asking your landlord to rehouse you

The people who are doing this are giving the DWP very specific reasons they believe I am partaking in benefits fraud hence this is why my benefits are being stopped.

I have also asked the local council to rehouse me but as I feel unable to divulge who is doing this because of fear of reprisal, they won't rehouse me. Therefore I have to either continue to contend with the abuse and such or face being harmed or worse.

45002

Wms wrote:

Hi guys,

I am hoping someone can offer me some advice or such.

I suffer from quite substantial mental health issues which resulted me losing my job and home. Thankfully I was quite quickly housed in social housing and placed onto state benefits. Not long after this I began to be 'harassed' by neighbours such as them calling me derogatory terms, throwing things at my windows, stealing things from outside of my home etc. This progressed to them claiming I was causing anti social behaviour to the local council, being reported to the RSPCA with them claiming I was neglecting my dogs and reporting me to the police for fabricated issues (all of which were disproved). They have now reported me for benefits fraud on three occasions (again all were investigated and disproved).

However, each time they report me for the supposed fraud, my benefits are suspended and I have to wait until any investigation is completed for it to be reinstated. This has left me unable to pay bills, buy food and even being threatened with eviction owing to my Housing Benefits being stopped.

Having spoken to the DWP extensively, they have advised that they have to investigate each report even if it is by the same person as long there are three months between each report. Therefore I will have to contend with this happening as long as my neighbours continue to report me. This is not only affecting my health but as stated has often left me without money to feed and clothe myself. Although the DWP agree this may be being done vindictively so to speak, they will not divulge who is reporting me due to data protection.

I have reported the matter to the police who have said that this is regarded as malicious contact/harassment but they can only take action if they can obtain proof of who is doing this which owing to the rest of the property being 'close knit' could actually be one of a number of people, so this is an impossibility. As stated, they are also covered by the Data Protection Act so I would not be able to gain any information from the agencies they have reported me to.

If anyone can offer any advice or know of any way I could find out who is causing me these issues, it would be gratefully appreciated.

Wms wrote:

The people who are doing this are giving the DWP very specific reasons they believe I am partaking in benefits fraud hence this is why my benefits are being stopped.

I have also asked the local council to rehouse me but as I feel unable to divulge who is doing this because of fear of reprisal, they won't rehouse me. Therefore I have to either continue to contend with the abuse and such or face being harmed or worse.

How do you know its your neighbours reporting you, could be anyone.



What are the reasons DWP are investigating you for ....






....

Wms

45002 wrote: »

How do you know its your neighbours reporting you, could be anyone.



What are the reasons DWP are investigating you for ....






....

With being reported to the council, RSPCA and police have all advised the claims have been made by neighbours (although they have not divulged who).

I've been reported as having a undisclosed assets, running a business and as having a partner, all of which were wholly untrue and disproved by the DWP.

[Deleted User]

Wms wrote: »

With being reported to the council, RSPCA and police have all advised the claims have been made by neighbours (although they have not divulged who).

I've been reported as having a undisclosed assets, running a business and as having a partner, all of which were wholly untrue and disproved by the DWP.

I volunteer in the CAB and dealt with many cases of benefit fraud investigation. None have had their benefits stopped while it's ongoing!

dippy3103

DWP will not suspend your benefits solely based on an allegation. Your benefit is not suspended unless they have evidence of fraud. HB fraud is also investigated by DWP.

What contact have you had from the investigation team?

poppy12345

I agree with the others, they wouldn't stop your benefits unless they had evidence that you are committing benefit fraud. They certainly wouldn't just stop them because someone reported you.

PersianCatLady

_shel wrote: »

I volunteer in the CAB and dealt with many cases of benefit fraud investigation. None have had their benefits stopped while it's ongoing!

I have assisted many people with benefit claims in a voluntary capacity and I agree that no-one has ever had their benefits stopped whilst benefit fraud is being investigated.

ceecee1

Benefit is definately not suspended on receipt of an allegation. If a full investigation was taking place it would continue until sufficient evidence was obtained to show that benefit was incorrectly in payment, ie bank statements or wage information.
If an allegation is dealt with by the compliance team benefit would only be suspended if you failed to attend for interview or contact them

I call BS

dippy3103

Sunny_Intervals wrote: »

I'm sorry, I don't understand your question. You know who is harrassing you (because they're calling you names?), but you're afraid to tell the Council for rehousing purposes. But you also need to do some kind of data request to find out who's harrassing you for the Police report? And if the Police need data from the DWP, why aren't they contacting the DWP, instead of expecting you to somehow access confidential data?

If indeed there was any investigation, then it’s highly likely that the allegation was anonymous. The police would not become involved in this at all.

None of the story rings true at all. I like CeeCee call BS.