Benefit Fraud

[poweranger77]

Hello I need advice.

I have a friend who I know is committing benefit fraud in that he doesn’t declare a lot of his income and has privately rented out his council flat (@ a profit I might add)

He has a 7 month baby and now rents privately with his partner (who doesn’t work) the person renting the council flat is also someone I know.

In one way I want to report him because I feel they are stealing from the tax payer & after watching last night’s channel 4 show I see that there are lot of people that actually need social housing.

Is it immoral to report him?

[sandyRoe]

It would be immoral not to

[TWR]

I have a friend

Although I do not like people who committ fraud, you say you have this friend, you may regret reporting this person, think about it very hard.

[jim360]

Something that is worth weighing up in your decision is that your reporting him may not itself lead to prosecution. A lot of evidence is needed in order to convict people of benefit fraud -- perhaps too much, say people whose job it is to gather it and then find that the judge may let them off because (in the case of Disability benefits), "It might just have been a good day."

So that means anyway that nothing may come of reporting him. But if you do, at least it is up to someone else to deal with the problem.

[friedgreentomato]

what benefits is he getting?

[sinderella]

He is theif. report him.

[jim360]

Should just add that, depending on the benefit, he may not be committing any fraud at all -- because the benefit might be non means-tested, and not depend on his income. So, fgt's question as to what benefits he is receiving is very relevant, and would allow us to advise you further.

[barmy]

It is immoral not to report him, it is basically theft from the tax payer. Reporting is anonymous so you would unlucky if he found out it was you so your 'friendship' would remain if you wanted it to. The authorities would check to see if anything untoward is happening so if it is all above board, no problem. HMRC maybe interested in the undeclared income as well.

[2sp_]

I have reported people before for benefit fraud, and I would do it again.

In my opinion, it is stealing from those that really need it.

[poweranger77]

to be honest i dont know if he is getting benefits as such...however he has a council flat (which he has rented out privately) as he has a 'disability' & cannot work-he does work, a lot in fact!! He struggled to rent a private flat (because he doesnt declare most of his income) and at the same time he bought himself a £12000 car in cash...sound suspicious??

[joko]

well, as you don't actually know the truth, you also don't know what he thinks you know... if you report him, and he is investigated for what you say - and you are wrong - it may well give it away that it came from you.

so it depends if you want to lose him as a friend, and to take the consequences if he finds out it was you...only you know what he may do...

[ummmm]

Ask yourself why.

Is it because of your morals or because of jealousy?

[friedgreentomato]

He is not doing anything illegal by renting out his council flat, his disability may or may not get benefits, and do you seriously believe someone who struggled to pay his rent can afford a 12 grand car? Perhaps he got it on HP!

[Mamyalynne]

I did not know you could sub let a rented council property, live and learn.


As said above, think it through and when you are sure of your facts and your reasons then decide the action to take if any.

[ummmm]

You can't sub let a council property.

[Mamyalynne]

Thought not.

[chelle7272]

You not allowed to sub let council property

[Baldric]

Looks like it's frowned upon!

http://www.itv.com/news/london/story/2013-04-04/council-seizes-houses-after-abuse/

[poweranger77]

obviously i know he didnt get it on hp otherwise I would have mentioned that.

ummmm you make a good point, i dont really know my motivation...i wouldnt say jealousy (i'm thankfully in a good situation) i do think though when i hear of people working really hard, declaring & not been able to get anything (i know many people like this) & thats when it infuriates me.

on a different note can someone tell me more on renting out your council flat...i thought this was illegal? In this case it has the council have not been notified, I know this because I know the person its been rented to...its been done between friends.

I'm writing on here because I want to hear people's advice, I have never used the social system so have no idea how it works. A big part of me is thinking that it's none of my business, it doesnt directly affect me (yes I'm a tax payer but i would pay tax anyway regardles of benefit fraud) another part of me thinks of all the people who genuinely need support...so torn!

[sherrardk]

Actually, you haven't got a friend, you've got a 'person you know' - if they were your friend you would tell them what you thought of their 'benefit fraud' and ask them not to do it/get the situation sorted out.