Tagged For Benfit Fraud

BERNADETTE · 08-08-2009, 15:13

A grandmother who claimed £14,000 in a benefit fraud has complained that being made to wear a tag makes her feel like a criminal. Norma Allum 68, of Great Harwood forged her husbands signature in order to receive the benefits. I always thought that benefit fraud was a criminal offence but this woman seems to think that because the money is being taken out of her benefits now she ain't a criminal. They make you laugh with their logic don't they?

harwood red · 08-08-2009, 15:21

hmm benefit fraud = criminal offence >>> get caught = criminal record and possibility of a tag...is she thick or what???

jaysay · 08-08-2009, 15:23

Just what plannet are these people on,

katex · 08-08-2009, 15:50

Wondered how long it would be before someone put this story up.

Of course she has committed a serious offence and taken money fraudulently form the tax payer ... us. Only defence I can give is that maybe the filling in of forms is complicated and can fathom the wits out of most of us, however, ignorance is no excuse is it. I really don't think this was the case either.

I couldn't understand the tagging ... after all not going to be a danger to anyone is she ? Or do you think they have let her off lightly, due to her age, rather than giving a prison sentence ?

BERNADETTE · 08-08-2009, 15:56

Maybe she has avoided prison due to her age Kate but am sure she knew when she signed her husbands name just what she was doing. I would be hanging my head in shame (not that it will ever happen to me) not shouting from the front page of the paper.

***Mr D*** · 08-08-2009, 16:08

I can understand she has commited fraud, so she should pay it back, criminal record noted.

TAG why is she a danger? will she run away?
How long is she on tag for I presume she is also under curfew 7-7 or something like that.

Prison, should she go, come on, people get away with a lot more that this and get nothing.

katex · 08-08-2009, 16:08

Quote:

Originally Posted by BERNADETTE

Maybe she has avoided prison due to her age Kate but am sure she knew when she signed her husbands name just what she was doing. I would be hanging my head in shame (not that it will ever happen to me) not shouting from the front page of the paper.

And I agree 100% Bernie ... not defending her at all .. better just to keep her mouth shut as encourages comments that we are making. Probably wouldn't have been a story if she hadn't made these remarks and would have been tucked away in one small column of the LET.

harwood red · 08-08-2009, 16:10

It's not about being a danger, I think in this case the tag has been used as a form of punishment, taking away some of her freedom... as for ignorance, unlikely to be that in this case as it has been dealt with very seriously so think there is prob more to it than we know!

katex · 08-08-2009, 16:16

Sure you are correct HR ... think with anyone younger would have attracted a prison sentence, but has to be punished somehow ... wasn't a small sum either was it .... £14,000 ! Claimed in September 2005 !

BERNADETTE · 08-08-2009, 16:23

According to the report her husband who she was divorcing was getting £430 per month pension. Even though she was divorcing him he was "back and forwards" to her flat so she filled the form out for both of them.
She goes on to say ""It's an injustice what has happened to me. I'm an old lady and I should be compensated for what I've been put through"
"I've been made an example of and I'm not guilty"
Surley if she was unsure Welfare Rights or CAB would have put her right, would always get help if not sure myself

shillelagh · 08-08-2009, 16:25

heres the link to it ..

Great Harwood gran tagged for Â£14,000 benefit fraud (From Lancashire Telegraph)

seems she was divorcing her hubby and 'he was back and forth at her flat'.

Quite like this quote though

Allum said: “His name is still on the tenancy, so I filled both of our names out on the form.

“I didn’t know I wasn’t allowed to do it. I didn’t think it mattered.

“It’s an injustice what has happened to me. I’m an old lady and I should be compensated for what I’ve been put through.

“I’ve been made an example of and I’m not guilty.”

garinda · 08-08-2009, 16:27

I hope they don't tag any MPs, who might also have committed fraud by collecting money for expenses on mortgages that they didn't have.

I hope they go to prison.

accyman · 08-08-2009, 16:31

Quote:

Originally Posted by garinda

I hope they don't tag any MPs, who might also have committed fraud by collecting money for expenses on mortgages that they didn't have.

I hope they go to prison.

its differnet when a MP commits fraud , didnt you know that

garinda · 08-08-2009, 16:37

She should knit herself some leg warmers.

Although she'd still 'feel like a criminal', she could disguise the fact she was one, by covering it with some fancy wool work.

Neil · 08-08-2009, 16:43

She stole £14,000, I think that deserves a prison sentence. I don't care how old she is, she is a thief and should be locked up.

If she stole £14,000 from a bank I am sure she would have been locked up so what is the difference?