A person receiving Universal Credit has sparked an online debate after confessing they lied on their CV about having a maths GCSE, fearing they may have committed fraud against the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP).
The Panicked Reddit Post
The anonymous claimant took to Reddit to seek help, stating they had made a "mistake on the CV and lied about a qualification." They explained that they believed claiming to have the GCSE would make it easier to find employment, but later became terrified that their action could be considered fraudulent.
Their post, written in a state of clear distress, read: "I’m so scared. I don’t know what to do, this came on my mind recently... I thought saying I had a maths GCSE would help me find a job easier but it didn't and I realised it might count as fraud, what the f*** do I do." The user specifically asked how they could update their CV within the Universal Credit system to correct the falsehood.
Community Advice and Reassurance
Fellow Reddit users were quick to respond with a mix of reassurance and practical suggestions. The general consensus was that while lying was not advisable, the situation was unlikely to escalate to the level of benefit fraud.
One commenter advised, "I don't think they would be very happy about it but I really wouldn't sweat it. I've never heard anyone ever needing to prove a qualification like that." They also suggested the claimant consider studying for the maths GCSE at a local college.
Another user offered a simple solution: "Contact them and say 'I need to update my CV please'. There’s nothing to say you can’t update your CV at any time." They added that CVs should be regularly reviewed and tailored for specific job applications.
When Does a CV Lie Become Fraud?
The discussion highlighted a crucial distinction between minor exaggerations and serious fraudulent claims. Several users pointed out that lying about a GCSE is not typically considered a criminal offence in this context.
One person clarified, "Exaggerating or telling a few fibs on a CV is not fraud by any stretch of the imagination. It would only be a crime in extreme cases like stating that you had a medical qualification and then producing a false medical certificate to try and get a medical job."
Another added that consequences are more severe if the lie leads to being hired for a role that requires a specific licence, such as in law or medicine, where it could result in a criminal conviction. However, for the DWP, the key point was that the claimant was not lying to obtain higher benefit payments.
The final piece of advice given was to simply update the CV with the truth and, if questioned, explain that they did not pass the exam or had received bad advice about lying but had since reconsidered.
