Consequences of false claim

[mazdr]

Hi all,

I have been stupidly claiming the single person discount from my council for the past 2 years.
I would like to clear all my debts and so am considering confessing to my council and offering to pay, in full, the amount i falsely claimed.

Before i do i would like to know what the consequences are likely to be. Is there any chance of imprisonment? Will i receive a criminal record?

I hope that my ignorance will not offend you.

Many thanks

[enquirer]

Re: Consequences of false claim

Common sense suggests that they should simply take the money and leave it at that. As however this would be an easy way for some jobsworth to feel important, the chances are quite high that they would prosecute you.

It's your call - take a chance, or simply stop claiming.

[Eloise01]

Re: Consequences of false claim

I am not sure that it is that simple. A fraud has been committed (I assume since the OP admits it). If they simply stop claiming, that may just as likely raise a query about why they have suddenly stopped claiming and prompt an investigation into their circumstances. Equally, if they continue the claim, there is a risk that someone will figure it out. It might be easier for people to give informed advice if the OP explains in a bit more detail?

[FlamingParrot]

Re: Consequences of false claim

Hi all,

I have been stupidly claiming the single person discount from my council for the past 2 years.
I would like to clear all my debts and so am considering confessing to my council and offering to pay, in full, the amount i falsely claimed.

Before i do i would like to know what the consequences are likely to be. Is there any chance of imprisonment? Will i receive a criminal record?

I hope that my ignorance will not offend you.

Many thanks

As with all official forms of that kind, there would have been a sentence, probably next to the signature (or tick box if doing it online), saying that providing false information or failing to notify them of any change of circumstances may be an offence/lead to prosecution. It all depends on the particular circumstances - whether you deliberately misinformed them, or whether you, say started seeing someone but had no intention of living together, later on that person started spending the odd night/weekend at your place and, as your relationship grew, so did the time spent together.

Going by other cases I know of, I doubt you'd end up in prison, but you could still get a conviction if it was established that you deliberately deceived the council. Given the relatively small amounts involved, I doubt most people would do so deliberately.

[mazdr]

Re: Consequences of false claim

I am not sure that it is that simple. A fraud has been committed (I assume since the OP admits it). If they simply stop claiming, that may just as likely raise a query about why they have suddenly stopped claiming and prompt an investigation into their circumstances. Equally, if they continue the claim, there is a risk that someone will figure it out. It might be easier for people to give informed advice if the OP explains in a bit more detail?

Well i could come up with several excuses, which arnt true, but ultimately i suppose with the birth of my first child i just want a clean slate

[Inca]

Re: Consequences of false claim

I don't think 'Immaculate Conception' will wash as a defence personally.

[ploddertom]

Re: Consequences of false claim

Does a lot of it not boil down to the amount overpaid and/or the time involved?

[Inca]

Re: Consequences of false claim

A lot will depend on the level of the 'fraud' and how the council view it...they could go for the jugular if they believe they have been ripped the p**s out of.

[Eloise01]

Re: Consequences of false claim

Well i could come up with several excuses, which arnt true, but ultimately i suppose with the birth of my first child i just want a clean slate

Unfortunately, excuses are not an acceptable defence for fraud. I didn't ask you for excuses - I asked you for the facts of what you had done. That way someone may be able to give you an informed opinion on how best to approach what you have done - not help you think up better excuses! Or is the "clean slate" something that you only want if there are no consequences to it? Because one thing is very certain - when and if they find out of their own accord, they are very unlikely to be sympathetic. So the longer you play this game, the higher the risk to you.

[wales01man]

Re: Consequences of false claim

I cant condone what the OP has done the council may or may not take it further if they come clean at the least the money needs paying back,i would think that the only way to get a clean sheet so to speak is contact the council or chance their arm by keeping quiet,Things like this are probably more common than we think maybe someone on here has experience or knows someone who has

[mazdr]

Re: Consequences of false claim

Unfortunately, excuses are not an acceptable defence for fraud. I didn't ask you for excuses - I asked you for the facts of what you had done. That way someone may be able to give you an informed opinion on how best to approach what you have done - not help you think up better excuses! Or is the "clean slate" something that you only want if there are no consequences to it? Because one thing is very certain - when and if they find out of their own accord, they are very unlikely to be sympathetic. So the longer you play this game, the higher the risk to you.

Im certainly not triyng to give excuses, im trying to hold my hands up. I think im just going to tell them, honesty is the best policy ultimately late is better than never. Can someone advise how i go about telling them?

[wales01man]

Re: Consequences of false claim

Give them a call and give it to them straight or put it into writing

[Eloise01]

Re: Consequences of false claim

Im certainly not triyng to give excuses, im trying to hold my hands up. I think im just going to tell them, honesty is the best policy ultimately late is better than never. Can someone advise how i go about telling them?

I am not sure if this point isn't coming across very clearly but this is the third time I have said it. If you tell us what you have done we might be able to advise you on how to tell them! Otherwise, the best anyone can say is "ring them"! We can't tell you anything if we don't have some facts!

[outlawlgo]

Re: Consequences of false claim

A lot will depend on the level of the 'fraud' and how the council view it...they could go for the jugular if they believe they have been ripped the p**s out of.

Unfortunately, excuses are not an acceptable defence for fraud. I didn't ask you for excuses - I asked you for the facts of what you had done. That way someone may be able to give you an informed opinion on how best to approach what you have done - not help you think up better excuses! Or is the "clean slate" something that you only want if there are no consequences to it? Because one thing is very certain - when and if they find out of their own accord, they are very unlikely to be sympathetic. So the longer you play this game, the higher the risk to you.

This is interesting

One would hope to rely on the system being as dismissive as when fraud allegations are directed towards a council.

Somehow I don't think it works that way...

[Inca]

Re: Consequences of false claim

Have you received any other benefits? I take it your partner has lived with you all the time you have been claiming? How much money are we talking about?,,as Eloise says,,without some sort of ballpark figure it is impossible to even attempt a guess at what action the council may or may not take.