Reporting tax and benefit fraud?

[Deimos]

Out of interest, has anyone done this before? If so, what kinda resolution did you get? (If you know?)

 

I just reported an individual who's been doing cash in hand jobs for the past 4 years, without paying any tax, who's also claiming sickness/disablement, but does take away deliveries several times a week, claiming they can't work.

 

I should point out, I'm not a vindictive person, but this individual is someone I live with and...well, decided to stop paying the mortgage 6 months ago and has been spending his money on his partner, rather than our home.

[sj01]

You are being vindictive or you would have reported him 4 years ago.

[daisy lighter]

Karma

[MARTIN3030]

This is a matter of individual choice,and perhaps conscience.

If you felt the need to report,then thats your decision and no one should be questioning it.

I think that its unlikely that you will be notified or updated about any investigative action or penalties,this will be a matter between those concerned-who are required to uphold data protection principles.

[Deimos]

I would've reported him from the beginning, but...

 

a) it's a family member

b) We were on good terms for the past 4 years

c) we live in the same house

d) I have serious anxiety and stress issues,hence my thread about being on sick leave

e) He can be very intimidating/threatning

 

The problem now is how they're going to find proof that he's been avoiding tax and claiming benefit fraudulently

The take away company he works for, is owned by his partner's (girlfriend who uses him for money) family, so it's not like they're going to say "Oh hey, yea we pay him cash in hand!".

[Nystagmite]

Unless you tell him, it's unlikely he'll know it was you who reported him. Or are you the only one who knows about this?

[Deimos]

Naw, a whole bunch of people do.

His "partner" and her whole family, my dad and I.

[MARTIN3030]

"The problem now is how they're going to find proof that he's been avoiding tax and claiming benefit fraudulently"

 

Well its not YOUR problem is it ?

[jadeybags]

Cash in hand they probably wont even bother investigating it. Very hard to prove. Unless you have given them specific times & details when they are off out working.

But no one should judge you for 'grassing' them up. I am getting a bit brassed off with people that swindle the system & get away with it scott free. Why should they when too many other people are being prosecuted for official errors dressed up as claimant error, just because the DWP or LA think there is a chance they can put a tick on their score sheet.

And no, it hasn't happened to me.

But you're not likely to hear about it unless they tell you the outcome.

I used to say so what, if they want to spend all their time looking over their shoulder then that's up to them. But it seems to be that the authorities are going after the genuine claimants that have been over paid, as it's easier these days, so that's all changed imo..

[watchinginvestigation2011]

You should step back now and keep out of it, you have reported although belated and wether it is viewed as vindictive report or they gain the evidence they need, you wont be informed. Dont be tempted to ask too many questions that might give away it was you to anyone even close friends, less stressful for you if he is threatening as you say xx

Edited April 29, 2011 by watchinginvestigation2011
errata

[Deimos]

Thanks, yea I intend to.

[JrnyFan4Life]

Cash in hand they probably wont even bother investigating it. .

 

Incorrect, my old man was shopped by someone when he used to work for a takeaway a few years ago, and was stung to the tune of £5k

[RaeUK]

I'm presuming your real name isn't Adam ...

[daisy lighter]

Adam

Karma

 

This was a knee jerk reaction. I shouldn't have said it and I am sorry

[jadeybags]

Incorrect, my old man was shopped by someone when he used to work for a takeaway a few years ago, and was stung to the tune of £5k

 

I expect they gave them specific times then, have you seen the questions they ask if you shop someone on line?

Maybe Karma happenes then because I went through the hassle of being investigated before being NFA'd. And yes, I have shopped someone before, for claiming IB when they had their own building company & went out everyday getting cash in hand. They had been a genuine company before that paying their taxes, but the recession hit. And they also claimed morgage payments. Considering their mortgage was interest only & not far off 1700 pounds per month! I figured that was a p take too far to be honest.

Although I dont think it was even checked out. I know he still lives there years later, & he certainly didn't earn enough to be able to afford to still be there at the time.

But I thought this place wasn't to encourage benefit fraud. But we're not suppose to inform on them? I dont get it.

Cant say I would go out my way to shop someone now mind, as I dont actually think it usually gets investigated. Probably due to the sheer volume of reports.

[JrnyFan4Life]

I don't know the full details as to what happened, I just know they were watching him for a few months, and then he got the IUC letter.

[MARTIN3030]

But I thought this place wasn't to encourage benefit fraud. But we're not suppose to inform on them? I dont get it.

 

The site does not encourage benefit fraud,or any other unlawful acts.

But neither are we able to demand or insist on what people should do-thats for individuals to decide.

The CAG is a consumer help and advice site,and opinions and comment is bound to reflect and see comments and thoughts from a wide and varied mix of people.

We are not here to be Judge and Jury.

Common sense and reality is what can often help in understanding things,but outside of this,there is of course merits of right and wrong.

 

[Nystagmite]

But I thought this place wasn't to encourage benefit fraud. But we're not suppose to inform on them? I dont get it.

 

I think the general opinion here is to only report if you have full facts. I recently came across a post on another forum. Someone claimed their friend was fiddling disability benefits, on the basis that they didn't "look disabled". To which others replied, many visually impaired people don't wear glasses and for many, the damage isn't visible and that you don't know what others can see. Someone asked if she was qualified to make this judgement, to which she replied no; but I've been to all her appointments with her. I worked out (pretty pathetic, really) that one of the people who had a go at her for being judgemental was her under another name...

[MARTIN3030]

Yes it happens quite frequently.

Some people have too much time on their hands,and its hard to work out what pleasure these can get from doing this.

Such is life..........

[jadeybags]

I think the general opinion here is to only report if you have full facts. I recently came across a post on another forum. Someone claimed their friend was fiddling disability benefits, on the basis that they didn't "look disabled". To which others replied, many visually impaired people don't wear glasses and for many, the damage isn't visible and that you don't know what others can see. Someone asked if she was qualified to make this judgement, to which she replied no; but I've been to all her appointments with her. I worked out (pretty pathetic, really) that one of the people who had a go at her for being judgemental was her under another name...

 

That ones a wacko. But to judge if someone is out of order for grassing someone up, is judging

Sounds to me like the OP knows if the person is commiting benefit fraud, they live with them after all..

And I agree, just because I dont wear hearing aids, doesn't mean I am not 90% deaf in my right ear.

The reason I have never worn a hearing aid is some medical professional when I was a kid said it would confuse my hearing more. No idea if that's right. And I have learnt to live with it now, so wouldn't want to try it anyway.

But I think if someone knows for a fact someone is claiming JSA for example & working cash in hand, or has their boyfriend/girlfriend living with them when they are on income support etc as a single parent, they should be able to inform the authorities without being slated for it.

Judging people goes both ways.

[leemack]

I expect they gave them specific times then, have you seen the questions they ask if you shop someone on line?

Maybe Karma happenes then because I went through the hassle of being investigated before being NFA'd. And yes, I have shopped someone before, for claiming IB when they had their own building company & went out everyday getting cash in hand. They had been a genuine company before that paying their taxes, but the recession hit. And they also claimed morgage payments. Considering their mortgage was interest only & not far off 1700 pounds per month! I figured that was a p take too far to be honest.

Although I dont think it was even checked out. I know he still lives there years later, & he certainly didn't earn enough to be able to afford to still be there at the time.

But I thought this place wasn't to encourage benefit fraud. But we're not suppose to inform on them? I dont get it.

Cant say I would go out my way to shop someone now mind, as I dont actually think it usually gets investigated. Probably due to the sheer volume of reports.

 

If it reassures you - he wouldn't have been getting £1700 a month mortgage interest help, its not possible.

[jadeybags]

If it reassures you - he wouldn't have been getting £1700 a month mortgage interest help, its not possible.

Well, that's something then. Although this was about 4 years ago, was it different back then?

[sj01]

The point I was making when I said it was vindictive is that they only grassed up the man when he stopped paying his part of their mortgage.

They knew he had been doing this for 4 year and they were benefiting from it.

What would you do if the DWP could take this money back by taking his assets, you would lose your house, would you have reported him then.

I would not report any one as I could not possibly know their circumstances.

I feel very sorry for all these people who have lately posted on this site because they are worried about their kids if they have to go to prison for claiming tax credits.

Its not as if these people are living the high life, most are struggling.

I also think that you should not be able to report some one anonymously to stop malicious allegations.

[flumps1976]

I have reported many people for fraud :o

Yes I work for the JCP but I also have reported my partners family for fraud, receiving undeclared income (very large overpayment and appearnace in court!), living with a partner whilst claiming as a lone parent (very large overpayment the first time and then ended up in court after my second referral and was given a large fine and suspended sentence)

Did I feel guilty? No! It's blatant theft, I look at it from the grounds that uif I witnessed a crime I would report it and no qualms about identifying the person either.

Oh and I reported my neighbour for Council Tax fraud as she moved her boyfriend in but he never registered as living with her prefering to stop at his parents for voting etc, until they decided that she needed to be called in for interview, I noticed the car outside our home several times as I knew the fraud officer).

[Deimos]

The point I was making when I said it was vindictive is that they only grassed up the man when he stopped paying his part of their mortgage.

They knew he had been doing this for 4 year and they were benefiting from it.

 

Wrong, we didn't know he had been paid cash in hand until he told us a couple of months ago.

We asked him where all his money has been going and he claimed it had gone on his website (which doesn't exist anymore and cost less than £1000), further questioning revealed he's been paying all his bills by cash.

It's then we found out he's been working for 3-4 years, cash in hand, from multiple take away companies.

We reported him when the mortgage was unpaid, because that's when he told us about it.