Tax Credits fraud - would you report it?

fascinated

Hi all,

Just wondering what to do about a fradulent tax credits claim that has been brought to my attention. TBH I have known for some time, but as the person making the claim is a very good friend of mine I just don't know what to do. She is claiming TC as though she is not workiing and just on her DH wages, which are low. However she has two cleaning jobs and takes in ironing on a regular weekly basis. I know she is earning at least £65.00 pw and not declaring it. I know she wouldn't have to pay income tax, but surely this would make a difference to her TC entitlement.

Just don't know. The thing that has really got to me now is that her DH has started cutting the grass of their elderly neighbour and charging him an extortionate amount of money for it. Basically they are paying their Council Tax each month through the money he earns, so that's £120.00 pm for mowing the lawn! And the neighbour is a pensioner. This just has to be wrong doesn't it?

I know it would make me a very bad friend for reporting it, but at the same time this makes a mockery of the system for those of us that pay our taxes, and our debts, and declare our earnings.

What would you all do?

I'll be interested to find out.

Fasci xx

PS Apologies if this has been posted in the wrong place!

fascinated

Hi all,

Just wondering what to do about a fradulent tax credits claim that has been brought to my attention. TBH I have known for some time, but as the person making the claim is a very good friend of mine I just don't know what to do. She is claiming TC as though she is not workiing and just on her DH wages, which are low. However she has two cleaning jobs and takes in ironing on a regular weekly basis. I know she is earning at least £65.00 pw and not declaring it. I know she wouldn't have to pay income tax, but surely this would make a difference to her TC entitlement.

Just don't know. The thing that has really got to me now is that her DH has started cutting the grass of their elderly neighbour and charging him an extortionate amount of money for it. Basically they are paying their Council Tax each month through the money he earns, so that's £120.00 pm for mowing the lawn! And the neighbour is a pensioner. This just has to be wrong doesn't it?

I know it would make me a very bad friend for reporting it, but at the same time this makes a mockery of the system for those of us that pay our taxes, and our debts, and declare our earnings.

What would you all do?

I'll be interested to find out.

Fasci xx

PS Apologies if this has been posted in the wrong place!

Brian_Bullocks

fascinated wrote: »

What would you all do?

Report it. These benefit scroungers need to be brought to book.

fascinated

Whoops, I seem to have posted this twice. Computer crashed and wasn't sure whether it had posted or not.

Can anyone help me out with removing one?

Thanks.

Fasci xx

alison999

tbh for me it would depend. i knew someone who was swanning about (still is) doing whatever she wished, never showed for work b/c she could afford not to and had everything she wnted. she claimed she was living on her own when she wasnt so had her council tax paid for her and got loads of other benefits too, i reported her though nothing happened. however, i cant hand on heart say i would of reported it if i knew she was struggling severely and doing it to feed her kids. i know fraud is fraud but theres some circumstances where i can understand why people do it (to eat).

alison999

i just posted this in your other thread:

tbh for me it would depend. i knew someone who was swanning about (still is) doing whatever she wished, never showed for work b/c she could afford not to and had everything she wnted. she claimed she was living on her own when she wasnt so had her council tax paid for her and got loads of other benefits too, i reported her though nothing happened. however, i cant hand on heart say i would of reported it if i knew she was struggling severely and doing it to feed her kids. i know fraud is fraud but theres some circumstances where i can understand why people do it (to eat).

[Deleted User]

If it was a close friend or family member I would talk to them and ensure it was declared.

If not I would report it.

0845 300 3900 - This is TCO helpline, just state that you want to declare 3rd party compliance/fraud.

If you are going to report it try to have their names, addresses and details of the jobs they are doing (companies paying cash in hand or just "self employed").

You don't need to give your name but a name and number helps if they need more info from you and the fraudsters would not find out it was you who reported it.

System

Report them. TCO compliance will look into it and decide if fraud is being committed.

I know it's difficult when it's a friend who is involved but too much taxpayers money is being lost each year because of people who think they have the right to steal. Besides which these people you are talking about obviously think nothing about exploiting a pensioner for their own gain too.

SuziQ

My husband reported his ex wife for fraud,both to bnefits and the Law Society. She got fined really heavily and they were very short of money for some time afterwards due to having to repay both Legal aid and benefits. I felt really uncomfortable about it,as it did impact on his 2 children. It's a tough call I'm afraid,but I suppose really we all have a responsibility to reprt it (I just wouldn't want to be the one having to do it )

alison999

SuziQ wrote: »

My husband reported his ex wife for fraud,both to bnefits and the Law Society. She got fined really heavily and they were very short of money for some time afterwards due to having to repay both Legal aid and benefits. I felt really uncomfortable about it,as it did impact on his 2 children. It's a tough call I'm afraid,but I suppose really we all have a responsibility to reprt it (I just wouldn't want to be the one having to do it )

i reported the girl i knew b/c its not like she needed the money. she BRAGGED about it for a start and we (my family) were struggling so much just b/c we're honest. nothing happened though when i did report her.

Gemmzie

This isn't just benefit fraud. It's tax evasion and that is very, very serious. If you've given her a chance to come clean, then report her.