Benefit fraud?

[Gill 05]

Would you report someone you knew was commiting benefit fraud?

[don1]

Do the Tories report their kind for tax fraud?

[kazza12345]

depends on the circumstances ... for example if they were just being lazy, or coining it in (like lizzy bardsley) yes  however i know someone who exaggerated a biyt on their dla form, but actually need the extra money because of their disability, they just dont fall into the rather rigid categories that the dwp set down, and i wouldnt shop them

[dothawkes]

It also depends on why they possibly deserve to be shopped.  A dozy bint near me had two blokes living there with her and was causing a heck of a lot of problems with noisy cars in the early hours and drunken abuse to neighbours at all hours.  It got to be really upsetting for the old couple next door.  The slapper rented the house privately and the landlord and his wife were being threatened by her two blokes when they tried to evict them.  The only thing that worked was telling the local authority about her goings on and they stopped paying her rent and council tax.  She has had to move now cos they were spending the rent money instead of paying their landlord and so the two mates trashed the house and they left.

So yes, there are times when it is for the greater good and not just cos you don't like someone.

[Chillum]

If they were stealing your money by any other means you would.

[THECORBYLOON]

As I work for the DWP you would probably expect me to say this but here goes anyway-YES. It is estimated that �1,500,000,000 (that's 15 hundred million pounds) are lost as a result of fraud EACH year. Some of that money is mines because I work, pay Income Tax and pay NI. Folk who defraud the DWP are defrauding YOU too.  

[Buenchico]

I've made quite a few phone calls to the Benefit Fraud hotline, so my obvious answer is 'Yes'.

A bit of common sense is needed, however. I've known people who've been desparate to get out of unemployment and have found themselves work. The problem they've faced, however, is that the pay is monthly and, allowing time for processing, they won't get paid for 5 to 6 weeks until after they start work. If they've only got �20 in the bank then they need something to get by on for the intervening period, so it would be ridiculous to prevent them claiming benefits for that period. (If they have to turn down the job because they can't afford to take it, it'll cost the tax-payer more in the long run anyway!).

(Let's be honest, I've been in a situation like that myself, so I claimed benefit for the first 2 weeks of my employment. I didn't feel too guilty as I'd been unemployed for 8 months before I started claiming benefits!)

Chris

[Chillum]

The creation of the welfare state was a wonderful, altruistic concept, designed to help create a caring and compassionate society. Those who defile that concept, and steal from all of us who pay to sustain it, deserve nothing but absolute contempt.

[Piper-AK]

I couldn't bring my self to blow any one up, but it really annoys me when lazy people just can't be bothered to get a job (and they do exist before any one jumps down my throat) and also people who claim all sorts of fake illnesses to get on the sick.  In Anfield there was an epidemic of Epilepsy a few years back.....

[ursula62]

I'd give them a chance - maybe two weeks - to rectify the situation themselves first - and then report them if they didn't stop claiming what they weren't entitled to.

However, be aware that reporting someone isn't an anonymous process. One of my sister's friends reported someone who claimed invalidity benefit saying she was unable to work because of MS because the woman was working full time as a hotel cleaner at the same time - for cash in hand, as well as having a bar job in the evenings.

The benefit fraud investigation team told the woman the name and address of the person who reported her. This woman then went on to harrass my sister's friend and commited criminal damage to her car. The police didn't want to know and basically said that she deserved it for poking her nose in someone else's business.

[nicola_red]

I was (wrongly) accused of this first and being investigated was a most unpleasant experience so I wouldn't do it to anyone I was close to.  But I agree with the others that if it was just a neighbour I probably would.

[cwestiwn]

I would always report benefit fraud and encourage everyone to do the same. The Benefits System needs an overhaul to eliminate mis-use, but blatant fraud is worse than stealing and culprits should be exposed and punished.

[Laurinha]

I think I would probably keep my nose out of it.  The government are scoundrels anyway and if someone can get a little out of them - good on them.  Anyone who would rather not work and receive what is it? �70 a week? must be too MAD for legitimate work anyway!!!

[Gill 05]

Thank you all for your views. Helped me decide what to do for the best.

[lissyl78]

Hi Gill, I'd agree with the others who suggested that it really does depend on the circumstances. I know many people on benefits who SERIOUSLY struggle to get by on the money they get from the Benefits Agency. They have children, don't spend any money on themselves and really find it difficult to cope. If they went out and earned a little bit of money on the side to make their life a little easier, I wouldn't blame them at all. However, if there's someone claiming incapacity benefit and running around drunk every night before collapsing in front of their widescreen telly, for example, I might be inclined to tell but as long as they're not doing anything to bother me, I'd probably stay out of it. If it was phoning the NSPCC because you suspect child abuse or the police because you suspect domestic violence, then you can't ignore it but something like this... I don't know. You need to consider the circumstances involved and the possible consequences for your actions.

Good luck! It's a tricky one! xxx

[THECORBYLOON]

lissyl and others, have yous considered the fact that more money could be given if there were folk willing to report fraud? 

[mullein2]

i would report them..someone who claimed they were to ill to work..were doing tarot readings and selling courses by post i foolishly bought one and it was rubbish..so i told her i was going to report her and i did..she soon withdrew all advertising..when i used to be a tarot reader i filled in my tax return form...and worked legally...i am sick to death of people conning the system..where i live its a poor area down the road..the pubs are full every day and the betting offices..they all take holidays abroad..and none of them work!! i know its true as i worked in the betting office for a short while and i used to take about �4000 in my till every saturday...the lazy workshy lot would be waiting for the shop to open in a morning..so they could stay all day and just nip to the pub whenever!! its about something seriouse was done about this problem..