A close friend of mine has admitted to me recently that she is commiting benefit fraud, to be honest I would have turned a blind eye but then she revealed the extent and it's left me livid. She is a 1st year student in receipt of student loans and grants, she is also claiming Income support, child tax credits and has a live in boyfriend who works full time, she has two teenagers from a previous partner who she is also getting £400 a month from. She told me all this yesterday and said that she is so 'sweet' for money that she is saving all her grants and loans because she doesn't need to spend them. Im so mad because my husband and I are also studying too, but we are working also and taking care of a toddler and baby on the way, we are scraping to get by and she knows it! yet she is still bragging to me about how easy she has it! she will be saving about £18,000 a year in grants and loans and is living off about £2,500 per month in benefits, her boyfriend's wages and other benefits.
2007-01-01 23:08:30 · 28 answers · asked by Blackheath rugby wife 2 in Family & Relationships ➔ Friends
plus the money she gets from her ex every month which she has not declared. I am so mad I want to report her, yes she's a mate but to be honest I am so angry I don't care if I lose her she has been doing this for years apart from the student money which as just been since september. What do you think I should do?
2007-01-01 23:12:32 · update #1
Turn the b itch in! I work 60 hours a week to support her!
2007-01-01 23:14:54 · answer #1 · answered by puffy 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I think you would be justified in reporting her - she is bragging about it and deserves to be caught out. Chances are she has bragged to many, many people so it is unlikely to fall on you if you do report her anonymously.
By putting this on your shoulders, she isn't a friend. If she was a friend, would she put you in this descision? No, she wouldn't.
After all, it is YOUR money that she is living off - is that fair?
Its people like that that make others suffer. I've been unable to work for 10 months now, and don't get a penny. Nothing, nada, zip. Hopefully in 3 more months I will be able to get a couple of hundred a month - and I'll be greatful for it.
2007-01-02 07:13:08 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
I myself am a student and its really tough as you will know too. Its harder being a mature student as I have children, mortgage etc. I dont commit benefit fraud to make ends meet. I go to work part time and then i pay taxes which people like your friend abuse. It maddens me that even before I was a student my husband and myself had 4 jobs between us just to keep our heads above water. All this being said, as much as it angers me, I personally would not dob on her as she obviously thinks you are a friend. I would tell her how you feel and that you dont think that she should be bragging about it.
2007-01-02 08:27:59 · answer #3 · answered by goobygum 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You would be doing the right thing if you reported her (I would). It's a tough decision though and only you can make it. Cross your fingers and hope that she has told other people as well and someone else has already done the deed.
It is kind of sickening though to hear of things like that. I am a stay home mother with two young kids and my husband works long hours and we are struggling so does that mean I can cheat the system??
2007-01-02 08:04:08 · answer #4 · answered by butterfly 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It's a tough one since she is you friend, but the fact that you need to ask the question shows that you know what you really need to do.
You're angry at what she is doing, and rightly so - so are those of us who's taxes are paying for her benefits! So yes I think you should report her. If she's bragging about it that much then she's going to get caught sooner or later anyway, so it doesn't necessarily mean it was you that dobbed her in. Good luck!
2007-01-02 07:13:42 · answer #5 · answered by Funky Little Spacegirl 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
i say tell her to pay back the student loans and grant money now to avoid troubles later on. she be better off paying back the loans now while she has the money and same goes for the grants. that grant money should go to somebody that needs it not to somebody like her. people like that make it hard or even imposable for others who need it to get a collage education. if she doesn't then leave a note in the office about what she is doing.
2007-01-02 07:34:40 · answer #6 · answered by oldcars12002 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Why should she get all that money in false claims when you are scraping by? it aint fair love and if i were you i would report her anomously because that is taking the p*** out of me too. Im expecting in 6 weeks and am only living off my measley statuartory maternity pay and i wish i could live the high life like her. People like her make me very angry cos i want to provide all that i can for my little one when he comes and i cant yet she can through lying. Dispicable!
2007-01-02 07:14:30 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
There is a difference between someone living sweetly off the system and say a single mother or someone who is sick making a few quid, the difference is not just scale.....
A few quid can be life saving, hundreds spare like your 'friend' boasts of is a DISGRACE that makes those that are just surviving lives all the more difficult.
If she is a friend talk about it and say what you think and that you are not sure what you will do if she carries on.
If she is a friend ......
If she is a user......
Actions speak, words lie
2007-01-02 07:16:24 · answer #8 · answered by farshadowman 3 · 3⤊ 0⤋
She will get caught just sit back and let it happen.You wont need to report her.Trust me.I think you should tell her though that she will get caught.
It makes me angry as well as I work and due to an overpayment I dont get childtax until oct 2007. This isnt my fault but has to be paid back.She will have to pay all of this money back but will also face prison.
Good luck with your studies and take no notice of her.
2007-01-02 07:29:40 · answer #9 · answered by cinders 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
No wonder you were livid,the money your friends bragging about is the money that me and every other worker has paid into the system.
I honestly dont know how you havent told her to keep her mouth shut.
Its up to you what you do,i know what i would do but then again im not in your position
2007-01-02 07:29:23 · answer #10 · answered by freerange00720002000 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
if she is a true friend dont do it but if you just met her hell yeah do it no one should be living like that and its not fair on the young teenagers she has because they should be getting the money and saving it for them for a college or something and coz if she is bragging to mutch she is trying to make you jelouse thats what an old friend did to me and i ddont evan have kids im fine the way i am for all i care she can shuv it where the sun dont shine its your choice.
2007-01-02 07:24:51 · answer #11 · answered by kizza005 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋