Reporting suspecting fraud

Reporting suspecting fraud? wrote: »

I'm thinking about reporting someone I know for suspected benefit fraud. What would happen after the report is made? Are the benefits cut off automatically or is there an investigation into the claim or is the person called into a meeting? I don't want the person to lose the benefits in case it causes hardship or distress on themselves or their family.

I'm somewhat confused, you say you want to report suspected fraud and yet don't want to cause the individual or family hardship or loose the benefit?

Firstly, I am not doubting your sincerity, I'm only mentioning the above because you seem conflicted and this is a concern, obviously your reasonably close to the alledged fraudsters.

Of course it's appropriate to report any suspected fraud, I just advise be reasonably sure it's occurring, also keep in mind not all benefits being paid are for example job /work related.

You can report your suspicions anonymously on the DEASP website, you will not be asked to identify yourself but will be asked specific details of person your reporting.

Your involvement ends here.

The complaint will immediately go to the special investigations unit within the DEASP, payments won't stop immediately, however depending what is uncovered early on in any investigation, it could be suspended quite quickly pending further investigations, the whole process takes weeks, months and may involve garda involvement.