Re: Benefits Fraud

[floo]

Yes it is.

I've only seen a few bits here and there. Last time was months ago, I caught the end of the early morning show and Kyle was pontificating about people on benefits and encouraging people to report their neighbours if they thought they were claiming and doing some work at the same time.

I was horrified at the idea of people snooping and telling tales on their neighbours & Kyle has no idea how difficult it is for them to make ends meet on benefits. So I've avoided the show since.

Benefit fraudsters should be outed, it isn't fair on genuine claimants.

[Rhiannon]

Benefit fraudsters should be outed, it isn't fair on genuine claimants.

And who should do the outting?

[floo]

And who should do the outting?

If I knew for certain someone was claiming benefits fraudulently, I would out them.

[Rhiannon]

If I knew for certain someone was claiming benefits fraudulently, I would out them.

How would you know for sure that fraud was being committed and would you take responsibility for what the ramifications of your actions might be?

[floo]

How would you know for sure that fraud was being committed and would you take responsibility for what the ramifications of your actions might be?

I would have to be absolutely sure before I did it, and be prepared for any ramifications which ensued. Apart from my husband who receives a disability benefit, I am not aware of anyone else in my orbit who receives benefits of any sort. I should add that when he first came out of hospital my husband got a higher benefit than he does now, as he needed a wheelchair to start with. As soon as his walking got better, we informed the powers that be, so he gets a lower level of benefit now. 

[Humph Warden Bennett]

Benefit fraudsters should be outed, it isn't fair on genuine claimants.

A form of "Snidewatch"?

That is ridiculous.

[floo]

A form of "Snidewatch"?

That is ridiculous.

Why is it ridiculous? I would report any other crime too, including anything committed by my own family.

[wigginhall]

I reckon some of my neighbours are in the black economy, i.e. taking cash for various services, and avoiding tax, but there is no way in hell that I would shop them.   I could not look them in the eye again.   

[floo]

If you knew one of your neighbours was a murderer or a paedophile would you still keep quiet? People who are benefit fraudsters, or tax evaders do this country no good at all. 

[wigginhall]

If you knew one of your neighbours was a murderer or a paedophile would you still keep quiet? People who are benefit fraudsters, or tax evaders do this country no good at all.

That comparison is a bit of a stretch, isn't it?  Are you comparing the cash economy with murder?   I value my relationships with some people over their illegal actions.

[floo]

That comparison is a bit of a stretch, isn't it?  Are you comparing the cash economy with murder?   I value my relationships with some people over their illegal actions.

Crime is crime and should be reported in my opinion. I would not wish to have anything to do with anyone involved in any sort of crime.

[Nearly Sane]

Crime is crime and should be reported in my opinion. I would not wish to have anything to do with anyone involved in any sort of crime.

  What about men who had sex with each other before it was legal?

[floo]

  What about men who had sex with each other before it was legal?

That isn't a crime and never should never have been classed as one. Benefit and tax fraud are and will always be considered so, because they do a lot of harm to our economy.

[Humph Warden Bennett]

That isn't a crime and never should never have been classed as one. Benefit and tax fraud are and will always be considered so, because they do a lot of harm to our economy.

So basically you will snitch on anybody who you think breaks your own rules?

[Nearly Sane]

That isn't a crime and never should never have been classed as one. Benefit and tax fraud are and will always be considered so, because they do a lot of harm to our economy.

So it isn't a principle about being against the law- it's just what you do and don't agree with.

[Robbie]

That's a good point NS (about the old homosexuality laws).

I'm as sure as one can be that none of my neighbours claim benefit but I do see people in the course of my work who do. They come to see me and I go to their homes. Many are single parents.  I'm aware, without being told, some will do a bit of child minding, cleaning, even hairdressing. It's not my business, "I know nothing", and do not grudge any one of them a few extra quid here and there.

We hear in the media of people who defraud the Benefits Agency by many thousands of pounds but they are rare. The vast majority of claimants don't.

At times someone will find a job, perhaps on a contract, and come off benefit; if and when the job comes to an end, it takes a while for benefits to be reinstated & that causes untold anxiety and hardship.

I always think, "That could be me or mine"; very, very unlikely but none of us know what lies ahead.

As for not having anything to do with someone who has committed a crime, who knows what people have done if you don't know them that well, they don't have to tell you! They're still people. We all make mistakes. I wouldn't hold a past mistake against anyone (I'm talking about petty crime here).

The only thing I would report to the police would be suspected abuse of any kind, if I saw someone legging it across my neighbour's lawn (which I can't really see unless I deliberately look out of one particular upstairs window) carrying a swagbag, dripping silverware and jewellery, or things of that kind.

[floo]

So basically you will snitch on anybody who you think breaks your own rules?

Not my rules! I think many crimes would be more easily solved if people were prepared to 'snitch' as you put it. If someone robbed you, and a neighbour knew who it was but refused to 'snitch', would you condone their action?

[Robbie]

I reckon some of my neighbours are in the black economy, i.e. taking cash for various services, and avoiding tax, but there is no way in hell that I would shop them.   I could not look them in the eye again.

Quite right too wigginhall, we all pay a lot of tax so can't blame people for keeping a bit of income to themselves.
I too wouldn't be able to look them in the eye if I snitched for something like that, it would have to be far more serious such as I outlined in my previous post.

[wigginhall]

I wouldn't have many friends or family left if I grassed on all the law breakers!   But I was brought up in a strong non-grass culture, except for major stuff obviously.   I remember when a ton of my friends would slope off to the park to take acid, highly illegal. 

[Humph Warden Bennett]

Not my rules! I think many crimes would be more easily solved if people were prepared to 'snitch' as you put it. If someone robbed you, and a neighbour knew who it was but refused to 'snitch', would you condone their action?

If snitching meant that they spent the rest of their lives looking over their shoulders, then yes I would understand their situation.

[floo]

If snitching meant that they spent the rest of their lives looking over their shoulders, then yes I would understand their situation.

That says it all!

[Nearly Sane]

Quite right too wigginhall, we all pay a lot of tax so can't blame people for keeping a bit of income to themselves.
I too wouldn't be able to look them in the eye if I snitched for something like that, it would have to be far more serious such as I outlined in my previous post.

Do people on benefits pay a lot of tax? Surely this just means Amazon are OK?

[Robbie]

I was talking about people in employment, NS, who might do an occasional little private job for cash. No more than that.

[Nearly Sane]

I was talking about people in employment, NS, who might do an occasional little private job for cash. No more than that.

So not all. And if it isn't a principle, how much is too much?

[wigginhall]

That's a good question, as local builders take cash frequently, and they are not poor men, as far as I can see.   I still would not grass on them.