Thread: Suspected IS fraud/interview under caution

Hi all I'm new to this forum and need advice urgently.

I received a letter from DWP requesting that I attend an interview under caution because I didn't inform them of changes which affects my claim for income support.

Here's my story:
Separated from my husband in Feb 2007 because of domestic violence. In July 2008 he got back in touch, and things had improved dramatically with him. He started seeing our 3 kids again, stayed for dinner, stayed the night, then eventually we decided to give it another go, and started staying over more 3-4 times (or more) a week.
At the end of November 2007 I phoned the DWP and informed them he had moved back in. I was told that this had to be confirmed by letter. Unfortunately I didn't do this, as there was lots going on. I found a lump in my breast and was awaiting a hospital appoinment to get it checked out. My mum was very ill, and was admitted to hospital, and our youngest child was very ill, our GP sent him to be checked out at hospital with suspected meningites. Fortunately, a mamogram showed nothing but lumpy tissue (my appointment was 28/12), my son had a severe ear infection, and everything looks ok with my mum although she has still to go for further tests.
Anyway, once the kids were back at school my plan was to go to jobcentreplus with the letter, and to register as looking for work.

The whole time that we were separated my husbands mail was still coming to my address, and I know he had applied for numerous credit cards, car insurance renewals and stuff. I took the mail to his sister every couple of weeks, as he was moving from place to place he didn't have a permanent address.

I haven't been able to eat or sleep, and keep crying all the time.

I need answers to the following questions:
Should I refrain from answering any of their questions until I know what I'm suspected of, or should I tell them everything, or should I just stay quiet?
What if they have evidence that my husband was staying over before I informed them that he had moved back?
Will they have access to both our bank statement etc?

I take it that the information I gave when I phoned wasn't logged, and it now looks as though I haven't informed them of the changes at all.
I know from past experience that this can happen, even when you get direct phone/fax numbers and names the information which has been sent never gets to the person it's meant for.

All advice is greatly appreciated.

Similar Threads:

• Desperate for help/advice/insight - incorrect allegation of benefit fraud (JSA) - Interview under caution in a few days
• Had Benefit Fraud Interview Under Caution - What Now?
• interview under caution
• Benefit fraud. Interview under caution!
• Help with interview under caution please

Hi again,
Stupidly I have spent the benefits payments that have been paid into my account over the past month.

Thanks for the reply Ragtaggeorge any advice is greatly appreciated.

Just bumpin this up, i need advice urgently

Hi goldies girl


they have access to lots of things these days, can have copies of any credit card applications he may have taken out at your address, mobile contracts, where he registers and taxes the car from utility bills and of course if he is working he must be registered for tax and insurance so this will be registered at an address,
,
You did ring and inform them and what you have been through I cant tell you what to say but you have immitagating circumstances to say the least.

If you can remember anything about the call it will help,
The claim should have been suspended as soon as you made the call and closed down when they had the letter from you. It shouldnt have been paid after, dont know if that will help

Thanks to those who answered my problem, which I posted a few days ago.
As this interview draws nearer I feel like I want to disappear. I'm absolutely terrified. I've suffered from depression in the past, and with the help of medication had beaten it. I now feel worse than ever.
PLEASE HELP

Hi,
Thanks for all the words of wisdom.
Davey77 have already spoken to CAB, and they advise I get a solicitor, however the interview is imminent, and don't have time to organise that.
Won't even be able to get a docs appoinment before then.
Gizmo it was November 2008 I phoned them, that was a typing error.
My sister-in-law is coming along to support me.

Many thanks Davey77

Hi all,
Had my interview today and it wasn't as bad as I expected.
The two people interviewing were very nice, switched the tape on cautioned me, asked a few questions about my situation, and then asked if there had been a change in circumstances that I had not informed them about - I said no.
They then proceeded to tell me that they had receved information leading them to believe that my husband was back living with us. I told them that he was - he had got back in touch last summer, and things had progressed and we had reconciled. I told them that I had informed them by telephone in November. They had information about credit applications that my husband had at my address prior to August last year and that bank statement were still going to my address after he left. I explained that his mail had always been sent to my address, when he left I had written 'no longer at this address' but they just kept coming - so I then passed them on to his sister to give to him.
I asked if they could tell me when the info was received, but they wouldn't tell me.
They asked why I hadn't followed up the phonecall when I knew the benefit was still being paid into my bank account, and I explained about all the things that had happened with my mum, kids & me, and that it was the last thing on my mind.
They then stopped the tape. Told me that it would now be sent to a manager to assess, and that 1 of 3 things would happen.
1 - I could go to court & be prosecuted - I was assured that this would not happen.
2 - I would have to pay the money back plus a penalty - told this would also be very unlikley, because of the circumstances related to why I didn't follow the phonecall up.
3 - I would have to pay the money back I was overpaid.
3 was the option she told me would probably happen, I would be contacted in a few weeks, and could arrange to pay the overpaid balance, by a small balance every week. I was also told that I could be given a DWP caution - basically all this is is 'a slap on the wrist'.
I asked again if they could tell me when the information was received, she checked my file and told me it was August last year (weeks after my husband was back in touch). she also slipped up and said 'she informed us'.
I told them that I assumed this information had been passed on by a neighbour who I had a dispute with last summer. It wasmore or less confirmed that it was a neighbour, and I was told not to seek revenge, as I would be the one who would get into trouble.
I told the truth from the start, and as my dates seemed to coincide with the date of the information this helped.
Many thanks to all who answered my thread.

Hold up just a second. Fair enough you kept money that you knew didn't belong to you and didn't follow the phone call up, BUT - after you made that call, it was up to THEM to chase it up, not you. You had done your bit and informed them of a change of circumstances, If they failed to act then they are at fault, and if they are at fault, I'd be looking into whether you should be paying anything back. There is a clause that when the DWP make payments and it is their error, they can ask for it back, but not demand it. Obviously there are certain criterias but I'd be inclined to look into this.