Benefit Fraud

Phate06

What is the likely hood of someone being charged with benefit fraud?  I know the DWP is stretched but do they they seriously investigate every claim of fraud of those they deem the most serious?

I ask as someone I know is fraudulently claiming DLA and careers allowance for their child even though the child has no medical issues, has not been seen by a paediatrician or any medical professional for any disability conditions and this person has been convinced since the day the child was born there is something wrong, despite the school and family disputing their claims.

There is also cash in hand work their partner does in addition to a daily low paying job, also rumours that the partner is not listed as living there.  They are in social housing.  

The things they buy is astounding, I mean 2 x foreign holidays a year!!! And yet those who need help struggle.

Emmia

You can report them anonymously if you want...

https://www.gov.uk/report-benefit-fraud

*two foreign holidays per year, can be cheaper than two in the UK.

Phate06

Emmia said:

You can report them anonymously if you want...

https://www.gov.uk/report-benefit-fraud

*two foreign holidays per year, can be cheaper than two in the UK.

Thank you.

I know what you are saying but when they are spending £3,000 + on each holiday, plus the extras associated with them.

as I said to the other commenter they tell my partner everything as they are a friend.

Muttleythefrog

Phate06 said:

Emmia said:

You can report them anonymously if you want...

https://www.gov.uk/report-benefit-fraud

*two foreign holidays per year, can be cheaper than two in the UK.

Thank you.

I know what you are saying but when they are spending £3,000 + on each holiday, plus the extras associated with them.

as I said to the other commenter they tell my partner everything as they are a friend.

People are not always honest or as open as they appear and that can include to those around them. Disability might also not be obvious (getting DLA for a child when there is nothing wrong with them sounds a little surprising to me!). However you seem to have several areas of concern for potential fraud. Report it.... you yourself say "I’m hoping they get found out" and there's really only one obvious option you have to achieve that. Most reports lead to no further action (i.e. evidence lacking of fraud.. and indeed many reports no doubt made by people who misunderstood facts or benefit rules) but I'm sure they will look into it. Link is given above.

mr_stripey

1) report them via the link provided if you have concerns
2) move on with your life

p00hsticks

Phate06 said:

I ask as someone I know is fraudulently claiming DLA and careers allowance for their child even though the child has no medical issues, has not been seen by a paediatrician or any medical professional for any disability conditions and this person has been convinced since the day the child was born there is something wrong, despite the school and family disputing their claims.

Given the number of posts seen on this board where people are getting rejected for DLA and PIP despite what seem to be quite severe medical issues, I find it astounding that they could have mamaged to get a DLA award simply by saying that they think 'there is something wrong' with no evidence to back that up. 

Silvertabby

p00hsticks said:

Phate06 said:

I ask as someone I know is fraudulently claiming DLA and careers allowance for their child even though the child has no medical issues, has not been seen by a paediatrician or any medical professional for any disability conditions and this person has been convinced since the day the child was born there is something wrong, despite the school and family disputing their claims.

Given the number of posts seen on this board where people are getting rejected for DLA and PIP despite what seem to be quite severe medical issues, I find it astounding that they could have mamaged to get a DLA award simply by saying that they think 'there is something wrong' with no evidence to back that up. 

This.  Plus not all disabilities are obvious.

TELLIT01

As you appear to have genuine concerns you really should report it.  DWP will then investigate.  If they find nothing wrong there is no harm done.  If they are making fraudulent claims for benefits they should be stopped.

Newcad

TELLIT01 said:

As you appear to have genuine concerns you really should report it.  DWP will then investigate.  If they find nothing wrong there is no harm done.

No harm done - Apart from the distress caused to genuine claimants due to mistaken (or sometimes malicious) reports (accusations) of benefit fraud/abuse when they have done nothing wrong.

Would you like to have your benefits suspended, be questioned, maybe called in for interview, etc.etc, about anonymously reported 'fraud' when you have done nothing wrong?

I have an acquaintance who's PIP has been suspended three times now due to such anonymous (malicious?) reports, each time they were proved to be unfounded.
The third one he had to go to tribunal as the DWP wrongly closed his claim altogether.
They were of the "I've seen him walk, he doesn't need a mobility scooter or disability benefit" kind of report.
Ignorance of the qualifying criteria - fueled by misleading/incorrect media reports.

marcia_

p00hsticks said:

Phate06 said:

I ask as someone I know is fraudulently claiming DLA and careers allowance for their child even though the child has no medical issues, has not been seen by a paediatrician or any medical professional for any disability conditions and this person has been convinced since the day the child was born there is something wrong, despite the school and family disputing their claims.

Given the number of posts seen on this board where people are getting rejected for DLA and PIP despite what seem to be quite severe medical issues, I find it astounding that they could have mamaged to get a DLA award simply by saying that they think 'there is something wrong' with no evidence to back that up. 

 I have found my sons claim quite different to my own. Children don't have a medical/face to face assessment as most adults do. 

TELLIT01

Newcad said:

TELLIT01 said:

As you appear to have genuine concerns you really should report it.  DWP will then investigate.  If they find nothing wrong there is no harm done.

No harm done - Apart from the distress caused to genuine claimants due to mistaken (or sometimes malicious) reports (accusations) of benefit fraud/abuse when they have done nothing wrong.

Would you like to have your benefits suspended, be questioned, maybe called in for interview, etc.etc, about anonymously reported 'fraud' when you have done nothing wrong?

I have an acquaintance who's PIP has been suspended three times now due to such anonymous (malicious?) reports, each time they were proved to be unfounded.
The third one he had to go to tribunal as the DWP wrongly closed his claim altogether.
They were of the "I've seen him walk, he doesn't need a mobility scooter or disability benefit" kind of report.
Ignorance of the qualifying criteria - fueled by misleading/incorrect media reports.

Pretty intensive investigation is done 'behind the scenes' before any approach is made to the parties under investigation.  Anonymous reports are not simply taken on face value, they will actually be treated with a degree of suspicion for the very reason you give- potential malicious reporting.  Somebody having their benefit suspended three times would be extremely unusual, although not impossible.