Social Security

Originally Posted by Ceri JC

My dad gave me good advice when I started working: Don't get sick and don't become unemployed.

If only that were possible to control

Originally Posted by ArtyLady

If only that were possible to control

His point was that it's something you have limited influence over, but by God, do everything can to exert that small amount of control you do have. Not intended as a crack at anyone, BTW.

[Luckypants]

Originally Posted by Ceri JC

A close friend works solely prosecuting scum like them and she says it's sickeningly commonplace. Here's the real kicker; the maximum amount you can fine them is capped spectacularly lowly (£5K, IIRC).

<snip>
If you're going to commit benefit fraud, even if you get caught provided you get £5,000 worth before they catch you, congratulations, you'll be in profit.

<snip>

Surely you are also ordered to repay the fraudulently claimed benefits? I think this is the case, so if you get caught you need to find the money to pay it back and pay the fine.

Originally Posted by Luckypants

Surely you are also ordered to repay the fraudulently claimed benefits? I think this is the case, so if you get caught you need to find the money to pay it back and pay the fine.

I'll check with her, but unless I misunderstood her, I don't believe they can. One person she recently successfully prosecuted only got a fine around £3,000, for £40,000+ worth of fraud, despite owning a house worth in excess of £100,000. They couldn't/didn't reposses her house/car to repay the difference.

EDIT: What you said, should of course be the way the way they operate.

[Bibio]

just to put a little twist as regards to people claiming benefits...

if a (so called scum) benefit claimant had actually got up off their bum and decided to work for a living, they might possibly have your job... so is it not worth the money you pay back into society to have the job you have now.

benefit claimants are but a teardrop in an ocean compared to the money the government spend on 'arms' and invading other country's for the 'suposed' good of that country..

if goverments would stop pocking their noise into other countrys affairs, we might not have terrorists.... so we would not have to spend more money protecting ourselves against them...

do you honastly think that the goverment would reduce the money they gather from the public if everyone in the country worked.. i think not, they would just find other ways to waste it...

personally i'm quite glad that there are people out there that are quite happy not to work. as it makes it easier for the people that want to work to get a job.. i would be more that happy to have a job and pay 'ERIT' out of my wages to pay for someone who might otherwise have my job.