AET

Ginger70

I posted last year regarding a colleague who works just enough hours a week to meet the single persons monthly aet and get some rent help from UC. She hasn't been called into the job centre or asked to look for more work.

She also has a side hustle providing services to the elderly who pay her in supermarket/restaurant vouchers rather than money to avoid her losing her benefits and paying tax.

Is there any way the authorities could find out about this agreement unless someone reports her?

kaMelo

Maybe, especially now the Government have implemented the Fraud, Error and Recovery Act 2025.

The most important point here however is that by doing what she is doing she is certainly committing benefit fraud and possibly tax evasion.

Ayr_Rage

Asking if fraud can remain undetected isn't really a question for this forum.

NedS

You were advised in your previous thread that what she is doing constitutes benefit fraud.

If (when) her UC claim is reviewed, it will be pretty easy for UC investigators to spot she has an alternative source of undeclared income.

Best she comes clean now and declares the income from her side hustle before she is caught and prosecuted for benefit fraud.

TheShape

Here is a link (ish) if you believe benefit fraud is being committed:

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

HillStreetBlues

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81981828#Comment_81981828

Certainly not condoning benefit fraud, but I would have thought this kind is one of the hardest to detect without a paper trial, without someone informing.

NedS

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81981848#Comment_81981848

They have their ways.

In their previous thread, the OP stated:

Also has some clients lined up for a small side hustle which will be paid for in supermarket vouchers rather than money so as not to affect her benefit claim - this she says will mean she doesn't have to budget for food, household stuff and basic clothing each month.

When reviewing bank statements, if there is no evidence of purchasing such basic items as food, household items and clothing, they will suspect there must be another source of income. This is really common with claimants who are living with someone but are claiming as a single person, or those working "cash-in-hand" such as this case.

HillStreetBlues

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81981861#Comment_81981861

There is never any purchasing of food, household items etc on my bank statements, everything I buy is on a credit card.
All they see is a payment of the CC bill, so won't have clue what I have spent it on as these aren't submitted in a review ( my reason is easier to keep track of outgoings & cashback)

I know people trip themselves up (and it's good they do) like telling friends or posting about it (where it can be trace) but sadly for the taxpayer and genuine claimants, certain well planned fraud can be hard to detect
Hopefully someone will report her..

Ginger70

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81981828#Comment_81981828

How will it be easy to spot?

I'm trying to advise her that she's setting herself up for a fall but without anything concrete she doesn't see that she'll get caught.

Ginger70

Sorry NedS didn't see your reply (been on nightshift!)

Do they regularly check bank statements for all claimants?

Ginger70

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81981661#Comment_81981661

I'm trying to convince her that whats she doing really isn't a good idea but without something concrete to show she'll get caught I'm having difficulty in convincing her.