Job seeker fraud

M

mikemcc

Guest
hey guys

I know this question is gona be controversial, but please help.

My friend has been on job seekers benefit since oct-07. they were in college til may 07 and went on work placement til sept 07.
THey were not workin til he returned to college in jan so signed on.

Returned to college end of jan but never signed off till this week march 08, but received a call last week from social welfare about him being registered at college.
He has just signed off but they are still sending a form to be filled out and verified from the college.
He is freaking out as he is still in college til end of may? is there anything he can do? he's been so stupid and really regrets its. Thanks
 
Am sure one of the financial institutions can offer favourable loans at in and around 8% to pay the SW office back.
 
thanks

should he admit he's still in college so? they don't know he is and if he just fills out the form himself or ignores it would they chase him up?
he's signed off so he's still not gettin it.

he's just too scared to tell em cos of fear of prsecution ( he doesn't mind paying em back) thanks
 
His best bet is to come clean at the earliest opportunity. DSFA receive student lists from the colleges from time to time, and cross-check them against persons claiming benefits...which is probably why he got the call in the first place.

The earlier he admits his error and offers repayment to the Dept, the less likely they may be to prosecute, given that it's a relatively small amount (2 months).
 
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If It was me, I'd ignore it and see what happens. If the pressure gets too much, pay it back!
 
mikemcc said:
he's been so stupid and really regrets its
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Yes your mate was thick as s**t really and I have no sympathy for him in the least, I'm sure he realised what he was doing, I mean he's a student and I'm sure he would be on a tight enough budget and I'm also sure he knew where the extra money was coming from??

mikemcc said:
he's just too scared to tell em cos of fear of prsecution ( he doesn't mind paying em back) thanks
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Own up and agree a repayment schedule with the social welfare and I'm sure he wont get procecuted.

DavyJones said:
If It was me, I'd ignore it and see what happens. If the pressure gets too much, pay it back!
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Yep well spoken, you sound like a seasoned defrauder also!!

This post will be deleted if not edited immediately Christ what has this country come too!
Gobshi**s asking for advise when they get caught defrauding the tax payer and more gobshi**s encouraging them!!
 
BountyHunter, never took a penny off the state for your information, only ever contributed. Don't get me wrong, I'd sign on tomorrow if I had too. In my honest opinion to OP, this is what I would do, take a wait and see approach. The people that annoy you i.e. serious defrauders, probably don't use AAM to seek advice on such matters, so give the guy a break, it ain't crime of the century.
 
I have no problem with people signing on in genuine cases, of course sometimes people lose jobs etc and fall on hard times but for who defraud tax payers knowingly well I'm sorry I have no sympathy whatsoever
 
Hey thanks everyone for your help.

Ya he has never before signed onto to receive any kind of benefit before and he really wasn't even sure how bad it was leaving it 2 months late to sign off. believe me he won't be doing it again. I'm just helping out by trying to get some advice.


yeah i agree with you DavyJones- seein as this is his 1st time on the benefit unsure of all the rules, it was 2 months over & he has signed off already, that he'll ignore the letter and wait and see.

If it comes to it he'll pay it back.
Hoepfully DSFA will more likely to pursue for serious defrauders!
 
I know of someone this happened to. They were treated very well because they 'fessed up' immediately and apologised. SW suggested they get a loan to get them through college and then start paying back what they owe SW when they start working. They were later told their name was on a list from the college.

I don't mean to be preachy but I'm sure the person will feel a lot better if they take the honest approach and come clean - otherwise it'll just hang over them. Also, depending what course they are doing might it come back to haunt them and compromise their career?
 
Yes SW will claw back any overpayment. It is their duty.

Like many other posters I suggest you go to them immediately(before they come to you) and confess, apologise and agree a payment schedule.

Explain your situation re study, exams, etc and try to acheive a schedule that you know you can stick with. End of.......
 

I agree with this. Best to come clean. Ignorance is not an excuse and won't wash with the SW if or when the time comes. Don't ignore the letter - they will pursue it and won't appreciate further dishonesty.
 
mikemcc said:
he's just too scared to tell em cos of fear of prsecution ( he doesn't mind paying em back) thanks
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A bit of contradiction in those two posts.

Given the above, if his real concern is to ensure he avoids prosecution (or any type of further trouble) the general feedback would suggest that coming clean (they already know, so not a real confession) as early as possible and tackling the issue would be his best choice.
 
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