benefits fraud interviews (uk)?

Question

i am being investigated for benefits fraud.
i have already had one interview and it stressed me out so much that they had to stop the tape.

my ex employer still has me on the books even tho i have worked the for well over a year and someone has been signing me in even tho i havent been there.
you dont actually have to sign in they cross your name out on a sheet and someone has been doing this under my name.
but i cant prove i havent been there.

i cant afford a lawyer as im unemployed
I have to finish the interview on wednesday.
im so worried and stressed.

what can i do?
what will happen to me if they find me guilty even tho im not?

i wasnt getting paid. its a cash in hand job and since i wasnt there someone else has been doing the job and getting money under my name.

i only know this because of the pay sheets i got shown at the first interview.

Answer 1

I have been on the end of this sort of thing on more than one occasion.
I know EXACTLY how you feel.
You say you can't afford a solicitor but you COULD take someone with you to act on your behalf.
Your interrogators do not need to know who they are.
It is very difficult but pause before answering questions.
They are out to do you because they have to be seen to be getting results.
If you got paid into your bank, you could prove you didn't receive wages after you left by producing bank statements.

Even if you are guilty they can't shoot you!

It is despicable that the poor people of this country are persecuted.
Millions of pounds of benefits doesn't get claimed - even when I'm occasionally out of work I don't sign on as I don't want these swines seeing my home or bank details.
The amount of money you get on benefits would not allow a budgie to live a decent life.
It is all about punishing the unemployed.

These days I earn decent money and I'm active in politics to try to get this terrible situation changed.

If you are confident you can prove you did not receive wages, stick with that.
But take someone with you.
Ask to stop the interview from time to time and step outside to discuss how you think it's going.

You are NOT in a court of law and if you are genuinely not guilty, then ask them to take it further.
There's no court will convict you on zero evidence.
Go to a newspaper and stir it if you are up to that (I did!).

But if you've got a few bits and bobs coming in, just to put food on the table, do NOT admit to it.

But after this do your best to find a job, any job, and keep as far away from benefits as you can.
Maybe when you're better placed, think about the poor people who will no doubt be going through this.

It is not right.

But I sincerely hope you get through it without too much trouble.
You are not facing decent people in this and it will not be easy.
But you WILL get through it and I'll bet you don't have anything like it again.

Life goes on.
I hope yours improves and that this unpleasant episode will soon be forgotten.

Answer 2

If you weren't working there then you need to prove that you have been in other places - receipts, tickets, meetings with other people. Try contacting old work colleagues and see if they will support your claim - your ex-employer should be able to prove that you haven't been in receipt of any earnings and their books should show the same. If it was a cash only job then it's trickier - you basically have to find evidence that on days that someone else signed you in that you were elsewhere - at the bank, on holiday, at an interview, with family and friends etc etc. Look for any bills - phone bills etc which might be useful to show you were at home - gather witnesses both from your old workplace and independant people. Go through your diary and see what is there that can help. That's your best bet.

Also - if your job involved meeting people then find out who has been doing your job in the meantime and any customers can verify that it wasn't you.

Answer 3

if was a cash in hand job your ex employer is going to be in very deep sh*t with the inland revenue and this is probably how it came to light in the first place. the benefits office will be able to tell via your bank statements and the payments you make and the standard of living you have compared to others on the same benefits. in some cases it depends on the amount involved and if the claimant admits liability. the outcome could be just that the amount has to be repaid or it could go to a full court hearing and a short prison sentance if found guilty.

Answer 4

I think that minotaur has offered some very good ideas. What I would do tomorrow or asap is go to the citizens advice bureau. They will give advice absolutely free and quite often have a solicitor there to give advice too and it's all free. They are usually very helpful.

Answer 5

obviously you knew what was going on if you were still getting paid... duh?
so you are guilty

Answer 6

hmmmm