tunnocklover

Is it possible for someone to find out if a family member has a criminal record? - preferably for free?!

Not slating people on benefits at all - I've been there myself. In fact quite the opposite - wanted to know if her lifestyle was possible on benefits as I didn't know how much she'd be entitled to. However I think that if it's all legit then there's something wrong with the system when someone who's never worked can afford all this designer gear etc when 'ordinary' working people can't. Surely there's nothing wrong with that?! ---------- Post added 16-10-2016 at 19:59 ---------- That's all I needed to know! Thank you and good-night!

Well she has seen the ring and coat. Every time she visits she has carrier bags full of new designer clothes. ---------- Post added 16-10-2016 at 19:00 ---------- Friend says she will have nothing to do with her if she is seen to be stealing but isn't brave enough to ask outright! So she wondered what I thought. As I have no knowledge of benefits available to someone in this position I thought I would ask on here. Might have been a bad decision. Thanks for helpful replies though!

Eh? Here I was naively thinking I might get some helpful or even sensible advice! Think my thread on SF might be first and last one!

Firstly - it is not hearsay when my friend has told me word for word what was said. Secondly - it has to do with me when she is asking me for help/advice. Thirdly - it has to do with me if too much in benefits is being paid out in my taxes making us look like fools!

Here is my dilemma. I have a friend who has an acquaintance who has been a drug and alcohol user for most of her life. She is now 43 and after a long gap (after being in prison) has got back in touch. She says she has turned her life around, got rid of old contacts, moved to a new flat etc. She has no job and is not likely to be able to work in the foreseeable future. She is receiving help with psychiatric problems - nurse, support worker etc. Her problem is how much to believe about what this person tells her as regards her spending. For example - £400 22ct gold ring, £700 for 2 Prada jumpers, £700 coat for Xmas, taxis everywhere and 100 pairs of shoes! etc. (She has been shown all these things so know it's all true!)Should all this be possible on benefits? Either the benefit system is far too generous or there is something else going on! Should she be made to do voluntary work to pay back society for how much she must have cost it? What benefits would be paid to someone like this and is she taking the <removed>?!