Benefit fraud... Large amount.

[roxyd89]

Hi everyone, really hope someone can help me here.

 

Basically I had a baby in 2008, I lived with my parents and claimed benefits.

In 2009 I got my own flat, gradually the father of my child started staying 3 nights a week, I'm not sure why but I thought that was ok. I had heard lots about people being able to stay up to 3 nights... But it is not true.

 

We have always been great friends so when he said he had 10s of thousands of debt and couldn't get a bank account, I stupidly said he could use the bank account that I don't use and I also let him have things sent here.

 

To cut a long story short, he stayed with me 3 nights a week over a period of 3 years, he also stayed with his mum the rest.

 

I got called for a benefits interview early last year and I too them he lived with his mum, they contacted her and she denied it as she didn't want trouble being bought to her door, she royally stitched me up.

 

I owe £30,000 and scared stiff of going to jail.

They are saying that he's lived with me full time and they have proof of credit at the address etc.

 

I know I have been stupid and ignorant through out that time, I'm starting to get lots of letters again and I know a court one will arrive some day soon.

I've never been in trouble and never even stole so much as a penny sweet in my life, I'm just scared stiff.

 

I have so much to deal with lately, I've lost a baby some weeks ago at 20 weeks, I'm not sleeping and I'm getting constant headaches. I have this debt hanging over me and I can only pay £50 a month max. I'm just scared stiff to do anything as I know for that amount ill be sent to jail.

 

Someone please give me some advice

 

Roxanne

[roxyd89]

I'm seeing lots of people viewing.... Please tell me if I will be going to jail!?

[renegadeimp]

Tell them the truth and supply as much info as you can. You wont go to jail, but for some reason you seem to be ok with his mum lying.

 

Again, it is better if you contact the benefits and lay everything out and let them investigate. You will have to pay something back but I cant see them making you go to jail over it. Jail is what happens when everything else fails.

[honeybee13]

Hello Roxanne and welcome to CAG.

 

I agree with renegade [second time today, renegade ] that prison is highly unlikely.

 

Do you have a lawyer and have you seen the CAB about this? They've seen it all before and will have contacts with local lawyers who specialise in benefit cases. I can't remember if legal aid might apply.

 

My best, HB

[roxyd89]

Thanks both of you.

 

I'm not happy that she's stitched me up, as me and my sons dad are now a 'proper couple' I've just tried to keep the peace, since that day she has never said a single word about it.

 

I have a great lawyer but have not contacted CAB, what do you think they will be able to do?

 

Roxanne

[honeybee13]

Hi.

 

If you already have a lawyer, I'm not sure CAB could add much. Normally people go there first and then are referred on.

 

HB

[renegadeimp]

Yep. I'll agree with that. See CAB, but please, do not lie at all through any of it. They will be able to see right through it. WHen laying out your side of the story, do it concisely and right to the point. Only go into more detail, or ramble on, if they ask you to.

 

If it helps you, sit down for a few hours, and write everything down that you can remember. Then go through it all and lay it out in a timeline and a way that shows clearly what has happened. You can then read from it to the CAB/your solicitor, or hand them the paper so they can read it and ask you questions to clarify.

 

Please do not worry though. It is very unlikely you will ever go to court, especially since you came to them and told them what has happened.

 

 

Remember, the benefits office see these types of things each and every day and know how to deal with each circumstance.

[cyberhead]

Hi roxy

 

Sorry but I dont believe a word of this 3 day buisness you are claiming ,and if thats my thoughts ,you can only imagine what the taxman will think ?

 

As for your partners mother is she on benefits ? perhaps thats why she couldnt cover for you and your partner or else she would now be in the same boat ?

 

Where have they got the figure of 30 k from are you still claiming benefits,or were the payments stopped then ?

 

If the interview happened early last year how has it taken this long for them to now say you owe this money ,btw proof of credit an address doesnt mean the person lives

 

there ,if you and your friend or partner are still in contact get him to provide proof he was not living at the address he must have some proof ,ie electorial list ,driving

 

license ? at the mothers address ..

 

BTW alot of people say be honest in these circumstances ,I totally agree as in not lying ,try to keep contact to paper and answer all questions truthfully ,do not

 

provide information that has not been asked for btw if you are still in contact with your partner or friend he owes 50 % of what you owe

 

there is light at the end of the tunnel,as for prison its higly unlikely you will even be prosecuted ,be honest as honest as you have to be ...

[roxyd89]

Hi cyberhead.

 

I know it's hard to believe, It sounds ridiculous when I think about it

 

No she doesn't claim benefits so no idea why she said what she did. She doesn't like me much so I assume that's why.

 

How long does it usually take? I'm not familiar with any of this. I haven't had a second interview or anything yet, at my first one they said I would have another or I'll just be arrested. The waiting is making me anxious.

 

Hi roxy

 

Sorry but I dont believe a word of this 3 day buisness you are claiming ,and if thats my thoughts ,you can only imagine what the taxman will think ?

 

As for your partners mother is she on benefits ? perhaps thats why she couldnt cover for you and your partner or else she would now be in the same boat ?

 

Where have they got the figure of 30 k from are you still claiming benefits,or were the payments stopped then ?

 

If the interview happened early last year how has it taken this long for them to now say you owe this money ,btw proof of credit an address doesnt mean the person lives

 

there ,if you and your friend or partner are still in contact get him to provide proof he was not living at the address he must have some proof ,ie electorial list ,driving

 

license ? at the mothers address ..

 

BTW alot of people say be honest in these circumstances ,I totally agree as in not lying ,try to keep contact to paper and answer all questions truthfully ,do not

 

provide information that has not been asked for btw if you are still in contact with your partner or friend he owes 50 % of what you owe

 

there is light at the end of the tunnel,as for prison its higly unlikely you will even be prosecuted ,be honest as honest as you have to be ...

Edited July 26, 2013 by slick132

[cyberhead]

Im no expert Roxy not sure of timescales. if its anything like what partner is going through re unpaid tax at the moment it could be a long time ..

[mycanal]

unable to understand how 30k build up. is it just coz of one more person living?. if the partner was living, how much the difference in benefit? how much he earns? offer to pay back in payments.