A
female
age
41-50,
anonymous
writes:What would you do if you found out someone you are close too is committing benefit fraud?I completely disagree with people who do this. I believe benefits are for people who are in real need of them.But what I have found out, that this person is claiming benefits but is earning extra money on the side.Am I wrong to be angry about this?
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reader, anonymous, writes (13 November 2013): This is verified as being by the original poster of the questionThanks guys, i have made up my mind what i am going to do.
Thanks for the comments!!
A
female
reader, So_Very_Confused  +, writes (12 November 2013):
 Nope you are not wrong to be angry. The question is what are you going to do with the anger?
do you plan to make a report? I'm pretty sure you can do it anonymously... then they would be investigated and the truth may be found out...
if not, then you would have to decide if you were angry enough to end the friendship or are you going to just stay angry?
I work for a federal agency that pays out benefits. I do believe that there are folks who don't deserve to be getting them and get them, but there are folks who should be getting them and are not... it goes both ways sadly.
I also know that it's OK for some of our folks to still be working (as long as they report their income)..... we even have a program that is designed to help disabled folks return to work.... they can earn their pay and still get benefits for a while....
IF you are sure that the person is defrauding the government then I think you should report it. Even an anonymous letter mailed from a public box would alert the agency....
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A
female
reader, anonymous, writes (11 November 2013): I found out that my ex who was self employed, was signing on between contracts, this despite choosing not to work in those periods and turning contracts down. He would then complain of being poor and when I told him my views on it he became defensive and said he'd paid enoygh tax in his life and it was about time he got some of it back.That fit into a pattern of entitled behaviour which led me to end the relationship.Another friend is claiming incapacity benefit and was also taking a cash in hand type job, until the boss decided to 'go legal'. Then my friend started saying the boss was 'the rich taking money from the poor'. Which is ridiculous. Very sickening since my friend just sits around playing guitar all day. I used to play guitar with him but this behaviour sickened me so much I had to distance myself from him and his wife. It's a shame in some ways and I miss them. But I can't condone their behaviour. It's dishonest and I don't want any part in it.
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A
female
reader, Honeypie + ♥, writes (11 November 2013):
 Yes, I would be disgusted too. I am not a subtle person and I would probably say something to them. Though I seriously don't think they would care.
I know that a lot of benefit programs barely cover the expenses people have these days, but if they can find a job and work "under the table" they should find a job and work full time.
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A
female
reader, anonymous, writes (10 November 2013): No you have every right to be angry about that. My boyfriend's cousin claims benefits as well as working and it really winds me up. To me it shows him in a totally different light and proves he is capable of being dishonest and sneaky. Plus I've always been raised with a strong work ethic and don't understand people who seem to think the world owes them a living.
I've just distanced myself from him and explained to my boyfriend why. I don't really want to report him because it's my boyfriend's family, but I wouldn't blame you if you did.
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A
female
reader, anonymous, writes (10 November 2013): No way! You have every right to be angry when people do things you feel are wrong. if you're good friends with that person, you can even let them know that you don't approve and let them do what they want with that information. Just be careful, sometimes people have "invisible" disabilities and at least where I live, you can work part-time and still get benefits. Be prepared to get your ass chewed, been there, done that, keep my opinions to myself now. If it really bothers you or if they say they really don't care, I would just steer clear of this person - that is saying without saying that part of your values is that you can't be friends with someone who does something like this. If possible, you can let them know that you are willing to report them to the proper authorities if you really feel that strongly about the issue. If they're willing to back down, fine. If not, they're just going to have to deal with the consequences.
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A
female
reader, Daisy_Daisy +, writes (10 November 2013):
 No you're not wrong to be angry. Benefits ARE for people who are in real need, not for greedy people who somehow feel entitled.
What would I do in your position? I would tell the person how I feel and then distance myself. I wouldn't personally grass them up, but I wouldn't judge you if that's what you decided to do.
Benefits (especially for disabled people) are being slashed at the moment - people claiming them fraudulently leave less money in the pot for those truly in need.
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