Anonymous informing of villains

[Dingerbell4]

A local drug-dealing fence,just fathered third baby at age 20,housing benefit,council tax paid,etc;etc, is getting more blatant by the day.How anonymous is an anonymous report to benefit fraud hotline and Crimestoppers,I would love to hear any resulting prosecution success, my friend says one must give your details if you want to hear any result,but the police absolutely cannot divulge them to anybody for any reason, is that the freedom of information act or something?if so it sounds like the wrong title? any way can you get feedback from an anonymous report??

[Buenchico]

Although Crimestoppers receives funding from the Home Office and individual police forces, it's actually an independent charity. While, for example, calls to the emergency services (i.e. on 999 or 112) will always show the number you're calling from, Crimestoppers can't see the originating number for an incoming call if you dial 141 first. (Actually, you don't need to dial 141 because Crimestoppers guarantee that they'll never try to trace a call, but dialling 141 first gives some people added confidence about retaining their anonymity). If you still didn't have complete faith in their system, you could always make the call from a public call box.

Crimestoppers pay a reward, of up to �1000, if the information they receive leads to someone being arrested and charged. (That effectively provides feedback, as you'll be invited to call Crimestoppers to see if someone is facing charges as a result of your call). Your anonymity is retained through a code system. See here:
http://www.crimestoppers-uk.org/giving-informa tion/rewards

To the best of my knowledge, there's no direct feedback available if you report benefit fraud. Investigators are obliged to retain your confidentiality but you can make an anonymous report if you prefer. Once again, if you're really worried that someone might try to trace you, simply use a public call box. Alternatively, use the online form. (You couldn't be traced unless investigators obtained a court order to make your ISP reveal your details. Since you're not suspected of any crime, they couldn't do this. If you're really paranoid, use the online form from an internet caf�):
http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/MoneyTaxAndBenefit s/BenefitsTaxCreditsA

[THECORBYLOON]

With CrimeStoppers-

How do you claim a reward?

When you call us, we will give you a code. This will be the only way of identifying you anytime you ring back or collect the reward. If you are interested in collecting a reward, you will be asked to contact us again at a later date, to find out if the information you have given has led to somebody being arrested and charged."

With the Benefit Fraud Hotline, you'll be telt nothing about the results

[pink-kittens]

Reporting someone for claiming HB is easy and I know they follow it up
I reported someone direct to the council and as I knew this person albeit via friends, I know they had their benefit stopped and had to pay their own rent instead of relying on us, the tax payer.
They didn't want my name at all just that of the claimant and where they were living
If you go via the Benefit fraud helpline, which you can do on line BTW, you don't have to give your name unless you want to claim the reward (if they still offer one)

[wolf63]

When an allegation of fraud is made to the DWP they must try and verify that person is working and earning. The problem with illegal earnings is that they can't really verify anything.

Crimestoppers is a better bet - but the Police probably already know that he is a dealer and fence. They really need proof of these crimes before they can do very much. Do you know anything about this person that is not widely known and that will aid the Police? This is probably what they will need to ensure a conviction.

Good luck and I hope that he is punished in some way.

[THECORBYLOON]

Benefit fraud is more than just working and claiming but we have the power to go to employers, go through their pay records and compare them to see if anyone is on benefits. If a claimant and an employer get together and provide false information, the employer can be prosecuted too.

[sara3]

if he is living beyond his means the DWP can look into his financial affairs without his knowledge. they have powers under the Proceeds of Crime Act and can use confiscation orders, among other powers. they will look into all allegations and your details are kept anonymous, and you won't get any feedback.

if a matter goes to court you're entitled to know the outcome.. but the DWP won't notify you when or if that may happen.