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Benefit Fraud
Former Member
Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
Someone I know has been committing benefit fraud (JSA) since Sept 06, up until a few days ago when she told her personal advisor (in confidence, she naively thought) that she was attending college full time and claiming JSA concurrently.
Obviously, her advisor told the authorities, and she's now in masses of trouble with the law.
My question is, what's going to happen to her?
Obviously, her advisor told the authorities, and she's now in masses of trouble with the law.
My question is, what's going to happen to her?
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She was also 'done' for tax evasion a few months ago, after not 'realising' she had to pay her taxes.
Would that contribute to her current situation?
She will be in serious trouble so I would recommend she sought legal advice.
The tax thing though, she genuinely was naive about and had no idea what tax really was and who has to pay it etc.
I don't really see it as a problem... once she's gone through Uni, she'll be paying back a lot more in taxes than she would have been if she dropped out of college.
That doesn't make it right, that doesn't make it legal, and that doesn't mean she isn't going to get done when she gets caught.
There is help available. EMA is available to students from low income families and most students have a job nowadays. I worked 3 times a week whilst at college. There is no excuse for claiming something you are not entitled to tbh.
I have to pay about £600 a month in taxes, why should I pay for someone who chooses to defraud the system and chooses to go back into education?
It pisses me off so much when you see all this stuff about tax credits for workers e.t.c. but someone like me doesn't get jack shit. I'm penalised because I work hard and earn a modest wage, whilst some dosser layabout can claim a free house and free money. And then to top it off you get people like your mate who cheat the system anyway.:mad:
Why do you see it as 'right'?:rolleyes:
Someone correct if I'm wrong here, but as a student can't you get grant or something if you really are struggling eith money? (or is that just a uni thing?)
Not being funny and assuming it's income tax, but it would have to be something pretty major to be "done" for that - sounds like she's been talking it up a bit. To actually be taken to court rather than agree a settlement with HMRC you are talking big money - not the type of money a student claiming JSA on the sly earns.
I expect she will be made to repay the JSA. I'm guessing 26wks at about £45 a week be around £1,170 to pay back, plus whatever penalties are imposed. I'm assuming she has also told the college she's claiming JSA and now they will want their course / tuiton fees back. I don't know if they would bother taking that small an amount to court to be honest - I would expect slapped wrists, black mark against your name and a repayment plan instigated seeing as she has admitted the benefit fraud.
Ask her to get her college tutor to write a letter stating that her course is less than 16 hours/week. Most colleges will oblige. Sorted.
Why does it bother you? You're being well snide IMO.
Ooooh, a whole £30/week! :rolleyes:
Hasn't been up yet though.
And she'll get thrown off the course if our tutor found out, which is why she hasn't told her. (and our course is 25 hours over 3 days, not 16 hours a week)
couldn't find exact figures for now but it cost the taxpayer 36.7 million in 2004 for the royal family and their farting about.. imo its a complete and utter waste of money..
why doesn't anyone seem to care about that?
that does annoy me tbh
So it bothers you 'cos she's getting something you're not?
How petty.
You think someone can live on £30/week? :eek:
Benefit fraud = £700 million per year
http://www.dwp.gov.uk/campaigns/benefit-thieves/
Pensioners 'fail to claim' benefits worth £4.2 Billion per year
http://society.guardian.co.uk/social...056810,00.html
Total unclaimed benefits = £7 billon per year
http://www.channel4.com/money/feature.jsp?id=416
Tax avoidance = between £82 - £150 Billion last year.
http://comment.independent.co.uk/col...cle2439509.ece
well if you're not entitled to the 30 a week that would suggest you and your mates come from families with a much higher income, so you wouldn't struggle anywhere near as much as the lower income ones would without ?
All 6th form students live at home?
You don't have to pay bills, rent, buy your food, buy your own clothes, pay for your own travel, buy your own books etc.
There are lots of people studying at FE colleges who do have to pay for all those things.