***URGENT**** False accusation re housing benefits.

[labman]

Re: ***URGENT**** False accusation re housing benefits.

That is true, but it is up to you to force it to a court of law, the DWP will never do so if it is possibly to their detriment. Where they most definitely do have, and do use a special dispensation is the ability to take money from your benefits - often the first you know of this is when you get less than you expected in your fortnightly money (it shouldn't be like this, but it very frequently is).

They seem to rely on people not fighting them. I have to say, from personal experience it is not surprising people either don't fight or they give up. Taking them to court can be very overwhelming for people.

[labman]

Re: ***URGENT**** False accusation re housing benefits.

This sounds like a case of Malicious Report. Whoever is responsible is going to be receiving a rather strong letter and, possibly, a bill for the hours that get wasted as a result.

BB - with due respect, this is simply not the case. People are asked to report suspected benefit theft. Nobody is going to be sent any letters or receive any bill because of it.

What is frustrating is they investigate cases like this when in places like where I live, people are reported several times and nothing whatsoever gets done. Benefit theft is very much alive and kicking here.

[Inca]

Re: ***URGENT**** False accusation re housing benefits.

I have to agree with Labs BB,,and I mean no offence at all,benefit fraud is alive and kicking in a lot of places and by people known to me and they have been reported (not by me) and somehow manage to avoid detection by fair means or foul.There was one bloke where I used to live that openly abused the system and got away with it for years,so much so his nickname was 'Teflon Ted' cos nothing stuck to him.

[enquirer]

Re: ***URGENT**** False accusation re housing benefits.

In 2010, he asked my sister could he have mail sent to her house, and collect it once a week, as he was looking for new work and "My mates sofa.. wherever I happen to be that day" didn't look right on the CV.

Anyone can accept mail for someone else.

B-I-L moved in that night, and the next morning D called the Jobcentre and cancelled her claim.

She told them immediately.

3 days later ...

Interesting timing. Have they been snooping illegally?

... D gets a letter saying she has been reported for benefit fraud, as B-I-L has been apparently living there continuously for 4 years (news to me and I'm there most days).She was summoned to a meeting and the only evidence of BIL living there is the fact his mail is sent there. No photographs ever surfaced, nothing.

They have no real evidence, which is why they are relying on intimidation.

She can produce statements from you, him, various friends, his mother, and his sisters. Was there anything at all registered to another address? If so, that would be useful.

[Hurricane Puffrose]

Re: ***URGENT**** False accusation re housing benefits.

He used to have his mail delivered to his mums but from what I can tell, the Evil Ex was calling there and stealing the post, so he asked D could he have it delivered to hers.

She asked about the 3 day thing, and was told that as soon as the report went in the letter came out, TBH its a standard threatogram type letter so its possibly computer generated.

The latest update is BIL went for his meeting to have it postponed until after the new year (so I'm thinking thats a not really bothered thing) and that D's interview rotated around his post being delivered to the house and the fact he wasn't paying rent.. he was HOMELESS!!

[Inca]

Re: ***URGENT**** False accusation re housing benefits.

I'm sorry but if you are on benefits and have someones mail sent to your address they WILL and DO investigate.

[enquirer]

Re: ***URGENT**** False accusation re housing benefits.

... D's interview rotated around his post being delivered to the house and the fact he wasn't paying rent...

At that address, or elsewhere? If someone is claiming housing benefit, then they will have a record. But if the rent is paid entirely by the occupant, how would they know?

[Hurricane Puffrose]

Re: ***URGENT**** False accusation re housing benefits.

At D's or his mothers apparently!

His work are being fantastic about this, luckily, they know he was using the address as a "Safe House" but hes now on the rent book and the CT and stuff. D has put in a formal complaint about the woman who gave my niece verbal in the street with the police and the housing association, so that might also work in her favour, but I am so upset that they would pick on family!

My niece is gorgeous, but is blaming herself for refusing to admit stuff she hadn't done

[labman]

Re: ***URGENT**** False accusation re housing benefits.

More to do with whether or not he's living there methinks!

[Hurricane Puffrose]

Re: ***URGENT**** False accusation re housing benefits.

it was literally a night here, a shower there, but the interviewer kept saying, but his post is goin to your house.

she has never denied his post comes to her house, and BIL would arrive and collect it, then if he didnt have somewhere for that night would stay at hers, but it was never a permanant thing until he proposed, and she called the benefit people and stopped all claims the next morning.

[labman]

Re: ***URGENT**** False accusation re housing benefits.

They're not nice are they. They will do their best to trip you up. The good thing is you're telling the truth here, so the story won't change. no matter how many times they're interviewed. For others, that won't be the case - stories will change within one interview.

[bluebottle]

Re: ***URGENT**** False accusation re housing benefits.

BB - with due respect, this is simply not the case. People are asked to report suspected benefit theft. Nobody is going to be sent any letters or receive any bill because of it.

What is frustrating is they investigate cases like this when in places like where I live, people are reported several times and nothing whatsoever gets done. Benefit theft is very much alive and kicking here.

This thread deals with Housing Benefit which is administered by local authorities, who also conduct investigations into alleged cases of Housing Benefit fraud. The sad fact is, there are people who make malicious allegations and, yes, a local authority or government department is entitled to recover any costs and expenses they incur as a result of investigating such an allegation, where it is subsequently found to be malicious. This has been happening for years. I had cases of it when I was in the police and the police still get it happening these days. The people who do this sort of thing are a menace and cost the taxpayer millions of pounds a year in wasted costs and expense.

[Inca]

Re: ***URGENT**** False accusation re housing benefits.

Will be very difficult to send a bill for Malicious calls to an anonymous phone caller to the council.

[labman]

Re: ***URGENT**** False accusation re housing benefits.

This thread deals with Housing Benefit which is administered by local authorities, who also conduct investigations into alleged cases of Housing Benefit fraud. The sad fact is, there are people who make malicious allegations and, yes, a local authority or government department is entitled to recover any costs and expenses they incur as a result of investigating such an allegation, where it is subsequently found to be malicious. This has been happening for years. I had cases of it when I was in the police and the police still get it happening these days. The people who do this sort of thing are a menace and cost the taxpayer millions of pounds a year in wasted costs and expense.

That is true. It is very different to say the person will be getting a stiff letter and possibly a bill though, the chances of this are very slight. As you know I have an unusually in-depth insight into things for reasons I won't announce in public, but I told you privately. Suffice to say it requires me being security vetted.

[labman]

Re: ***URGENT**** False accusation re housing benefits.

Will be very difficult to send a bill for Malicious calls to an anonymous phone caller to the council.

pmsl - that is very true! :santa2: