Social Security Disability Benefits Fraud

Submitted by Daniel on

Social Security Disability is a great benefit to those who truly need assistance due to a severe medical condition that prevents them from working for at least a year. However, sometimes people violate the law and fabricate a medical condition. Detecting a fraud in the Social Security system is a challenging process, but it is one that is necessary in order to maintain the integrity of the program. Determining whether someone is trying to take advantage of the system can be a difficult task, so before reporting an alleged fraud, consider the long journey ahead and all that goes into pinpointing fraudulent activity.

If you suspect someone is violating the law and is, in fact, fraudulently collecting disability benefits:

  • You need to know the reason why the person has been approved for benefits. If you are unable to determine this, research will need to be conducted to determine the truth before accusations are made.
  • You need to be aware that even though you see this person, you may not fully understand how the person’s impairment causes difficulties in daily living.
  • Some people receiving Social Security Disability suffer from mental or psychological disorders; these are not often easy to pinpoint as an outsider, and it may be difficult to judge how these conditions could interrupt the daily activities.

Typically you would have to know someone quite well in order to determine whether or not he or she is taking advantage of the system. Making strong accusations about someone receiving disability benefits is touchy ground, and something that you would not want to do lightly. When in doubt, do not be afraid to ask questions and look into the actions of the person. This can greatly help you determine where the truth lies. If you do still truly suspect someone of committing a fraudulent act, you should consider reporting that individual.

  • You should begin by contacting the toll-free Social Security Administration Fraud Hotline at (800) 269-0271.
  • Remember to provide as much information as you can. This includes the name, address, birth date, phone numbers, and Social Security number (if you know it) of the person suspected of committing fraud. The more information you provide, the sooner the investigation can begin. You should explain in detail to the SSA exactly in what type of fraudulent activity that you suspect this person to be involved.
  • Do not report anything that you do not know for sure. There are penalties for reporting false information, so stick with the facts.
  • Be certain that you understand the situation surrounding the person’s disability. Work may complicate the person’s condition more than you know. Some people are unable to work because they have to be medicated frequently throughout the day. There are also many individuals on disability who have to make trips to the hospital on a weekly or even daily basis. Other individuals may suffer from a psychological or mental condition that makes them appear quite normal, but they may, in reality, be struggling deeply on the inside. You must be fully aware of their circumstances to be able to judge if they are fraudulently collecting benefits.
  • If you feel uncomfortable telephoning regarding your concerns, you can complete an online fraud reporting form, or mail in your findings to the Fraud Hotline at:

Social Security Fraud Hotline
P.O. Box 17768
Baltimore, Maryland 21235

When working properly, the Social Security Disability program is a wonderful asset. To those individuals suffering and unable to work, or even waiting out the last stage of their lives, it is often a much-needed benefit. Unfortunately, some people take advantage of a good thing and use it improperly, as is the case with fraudulent behavior. While reporting this kind of activity is important, it is also a serious leap to take. Before you report your suspicions, you should realize that the most important thing is to know all the facts, and to move forward only if you are certain you have a definite case of fraudulent conduct.

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Blog comments

Elizabeth (not verified)

I know someone who is

I know someone who is receiving benefits for their child and that is the only source of income. They are using a company that doesn't exist to claim income taxes and getting back like 3 to 6 thousands dollars. Where do you report this

Thu, 03/09/2017 - 09:22 Permalink
Anonymous (not verified)

I belive that two people I know

I belive that two people I know aren't disabled.

Tue, 03/14/2017 - 17:34 Permalink
Julie Christensen (not verified)

What if what if I'm

What if what if I'm living with someone who is getting disability and has five renter's income Works full-time and has life insurance policies on a couple of them he pays seven $800 and insurance and it goes on and on what do I do he has two cars he's sold and he's had inheritance and the list goes on what do I do

Wed, 03/15/2017 - 12:59 Permalink
Bryan

In reply to by Julie Christensen (not verified)

Hi there,

Hi there,
It is possible to receive income while on SSDI benefits, there is no limit for income that is considered "unearned income"- This can include rent. Additionally, it is possible for someone to work while receiving benefits, however there are restrictions regarding this. You may want to contact the SSA if you suspect fraud, you can report fraud using this form:
https://oig.ssa.gov/report

Wed, 03/15/2017 - 13:27 Permalink
Misty (not verified)

I know a person that is

I know a person that is collecting ssdi in Va. but lives in Hawaii. How would I report them ?

Thu, 03/16/2017 - 18:30 Permalink
Bryan

In reply to by Misty (not verified)

Hi Misty,

Hi Misty,
If this person is collecting benefits based on their work record, then they may not be committing fraud as SSDI is a federal program. To report fraud, you can use the SSA's reporting form here:
http://oig.ssa.gov/report

Fri, 03/17/2017 - 13:47 Permalink
Meme (not verified)

What if I just found out

What if I just found out someone is still getting ssi for a person and they passed in 2015? The only problem is I only know the town and name of the person who is deceased and the person who is using the card?

Fri, 03/17/2017 - 13:45 Permalink
Bryan

In reply to by Meme (not verified)

HI there,

HI there,
If they are receiving survivor's benefits, that may not be fraud. However, if they did not report the death of an SSI recipient and are collecting the checks, that may be fraud. To report fraud, you can use the SSA's reporting form which can he found here:
http://oig.ssa.gov/report

Fri, 03/17/2017 - 13:50 Permalink
Rachel (not verified)

I know this person who just

I know this person who just recently started drawing off her dead ex husband after her ex husband has been rad for over 20 plus years. How can one go about report her? if one can report her

Fri, 03/17/2017 - 16:15 Permalink
Jenny (not verified)

What if i honestly believe

What if i honestly believe someone is committing fraud, but an investigation determines I was wrong. Am I then penalized?

Sat, 03/18/2017 - 20:04 Permalink
Bryan

In reply to by Jenny (not verified)

Hi Jenny,

Hi Jenny,
It's possible to be wrong in reporting someone, but unless you had made the report in bad faith, you may not be liable for that.

Mon, 03/20/2017 - 09:48 Permalink
Anon (not verified)

I have a message from the

I have a message from the person on my messenger app saying she - "cleans houses for 25$ an hour but can't post on Facebook because I'm collecting disability.' That's all in the message she sent me. I asked her if she meant to send that to me, she said, "yes.'
How would I get the messages to SS?

Tue, 03/28/2017 - 07:12 Permalink
Bryan

In reply to by Anon (not verified)

Hi there,

Hi there,
You may want to contact the SSA's Social Security fraud hotline at 1-800-269-0271, they are available from 10AM to 4 PM EST.

Tue, 03/28/2017 - 09:19 Permalink
Pissed (not verified)

My brother had terminal

My brother had terminal cancer he worked since he was 16 he died at the age of 51, this past January. We went to SS office and showed the guy the paper from his dr saying he was terminal. The jerk wouldn't even look at it said it would be 6 mounthes till he got a check. That was in Nov he died in January. I was so upset I called and got someone with some sense on the phone they gave his SSI he collected two checks and then he passed away. Yet there is a woman and her boyfriend living together when they told SSI they don't. They both collect and both work under the table. I mean they work hard. They pick pollmetto berries in south Fl all summer long that's some hard ass work. Plus he goes on Lake Okeechoobee and gets shiners and sells them every week for fishing. He alone makes over 5g a month in cash. Plus she breeds and sells Labradors and makes a lot with that. They each drive new trucks and lack for nothing. Yet we have homeless veterans living in the woods and people like my brother who can't get help. Fortunately for my brother he had me and his ex boss to help him. It discusts me that they have to have my information to turn them in. So then I have to worst of these people are gonna burn my house down or poison my dogs. This is exactly why people don't report and why scum get away with this. This Berry season I'm gonna set up game cameras to record them and I'll mail the footage in and we will see what happens.

Tue, 03/28/2017 - 09:54 Permalink
Eric

In reply to by Pissed (not verified)

Hello,

Hello,
I am very sorry to hear that. If you suspect fraud you can call the SSA's Social Security fraud hotline at 1-800-269-0271, and file a report. They are available from 10AM to 4 PM EST.

Best Wishes,
Eric

Tue, 03/28/2017 - 11:18 Permalink
Barbara (not verified)

What if someone went to jail

What if someone went to jail for over 5yrs and while locked they were still receiving the ssi check?

Wed, 03/29/2017 - 13:34 Permalink
Bryan

In reply to by Barbara (not verified)

Hi there,

Hi there,
They may have been overpaid by the SSA, you may want to contact the SSA regarding this, you can give them a call on their fraud hotline here: 1-800-269-0271

Wed, 03/29/2017 - 14:59 Permalink
No name (not verified)

Have read a lot of the

Have read a lot of the comments on here and this is so very sad. People are trying to help the system by reporting fraud and are just getting brushed off. No wonder Social Security is in danger of running out of money. Got too many taking advantage of it. Way to go!!

Thu, 03/30/2017 - 07:22 Permalink
Bryan

In reply to by No name (not verified)

Hi there,

Hi there,
We are not affiliated with the SSA or the Federal government, and we have no power to investigate disability fraud or abuse. To report disability fraud or abuse, you can use the SSA's hotline: 1-800-269-0271

Thu, 03/30/2017 - 10:15 Permalink
Liana (not verified)

So funny because people that

So funny because people that are mentally disabled who do not take their meds should be blood tested every month. Plus the person is smoking weed as well . i would say that she shouldnt be getting benefits at all!!!!!

Fri, 03/31/2017 - 08:14 Permalink
Bryan

In reply to by Liana (not verified)

Hi Liana,

Hi Liana,
If you suspect fraud or abuse, you may want to contact the SSA at their fraud hotline: 1-800-269-0271

Fri, 03/31/2017 - 09:11 Permalink
Jenny (not verified)

I know somebody who uses

I know somebody who uses their medical card to get their prescription filled, & then sells their medications. Who do u contact

Fri, 03/31/2017 - 14:41 Permalink
Bryan

In reply to by Jenny (not verified)

Hi Jenny,

Hi Jenny,
That may be a crime, you may want to reach out to your local authorities regarding this. You can also contact the SSA regarding this as well, you can call them at 1-800-772-1213

Fri, 03/31/2017 - 15:37 Permalink
Tisha (not verified)

Hi was wondering if my

Hi was wondering if my exhusband filed for disability in tn but lives and works in ky if that was something i was able to report

Mon, 04/03/2017 - 18:34 Permalink
Healthcare Provider (not verified)

I frequently see patients who

I frequently see patients who are on Mcare due to disability. When asked what their disability is, here are some of the responses I've gotten, "I inherited it from my mother."; "I had a seizure at age 3. I haven't had any other seizures and have never been on anti seizure medication."; "I had a hole in my heart at birth. It was fixed, but I have received disability for more than 20 years." These are only a few examples. How can I help to stop this fraud?

Tue, 04/11/2017 - 00:06 Permalink
Bryan

In reply to by Healthcare Provider (not verified)

HI there,

HI there,
You can contact the SSA to report fraud, you can do so by sending a letter here:
Social Security Fraud Hotline
P.O. Box 17768
Baltimore, Maryland 21235

Please bear in mind that making someone's health information public without their consent may be a violation of HIPAA or other applicable laws.

Tue, 04/11/2017 - 09:15 Permalink
sandy stone (not verified)

i know a couple who are

i know a couple who are frauding,,the guy is on ssi or ssdi not sure which but... he has med i cal and medicare, he sold a halfplex,,bought a mobile home,,remodeled it,,had 40,00 left over from it all... had the money in the bank..he had gotten a new bank account when the funds were trasfered from sale of halfplex..he didnt connect the funds to his original bank account..he told me this is what to do,,, he then took out the money a little at a time till there was none in bank left,,the money he took out,, he has stashed either at home or in safe deposit box in a bank. then he applied for med ical and got it. he also had at least 25 gran hidden before he sold halfplex. recently he bought a new leather couch and love seat,new 1,000 dollar tv and thena 400 dollar fake fireplace thing.now does this sound like someone who needs to be on free med i cal? free medicare? he also sued workmans comp..not sure how much he got in that though. he screwed over workers comp as well..fell at work,,his knee was swollen and bruised bad,,but,,only for about 6 weeks then it healed up...he kept workers comp going for two yrs,,all the while,,,painting his house,put in new wood floor in living rm,built a train set..giant thing with two by fours and ply wood,,there is picture of it on his facebook account. ,, he also put a new light up in kitchen,,bought a motorcycle but not sure if he transfered it into his name cause he sold it,,but he was riding it while on workers comp,,i seen him ride it..he redone his kitchen cabinets,painted dressers. his girlfriend is also scamming med i cal,ssi,,she goes to casinos and wins and stashes the money at home so ssi dont find out,,,she now has over 2,000 stahed at home,,and i know this for a fact,,ive been with her when she won..so i know. he cousins ,,i believe are hiding money from ssi for her,,her dad died and left her all the money and mobile home,,they buy her groceries,give her gas cards food cards and cash every three to four months.isnt she suppose to be reporting this? she sold her dads car when he passed away,,to her boyfriend parents,,for like 5,000,,ssi caught her and made her pay it back,,she told me this.arent these people frauding? should ths guy be on med i cal?? hes also wanting to buy a motorhome,,so does this sound like someone who needs free med i cal?

Wed, 04/12/2017 - 00:22 Permalink
Bryan

In reply to by sandy stone (not verified)

HI there,

HI there,
You may want to contact the office that administers Medicaid in California, and the SSA regarding this if you suspect fraud.

Wed, 04/12/2017 - 09:31 Permalink
Anonymous (not verified)

I know somebody that is

I know somebody that is collecting disability and has been doing all kinds yard work and tomorrow he is going to do a roofing job. Well to me this is fraud! If able to do roofing you should be able to work. Guess his hip is better. He is able to work now but everybody tells him if he goes back to work he will loss everything. This makes me sick cause there are people out there that really need it and get refused. This is fraud!

Wed, 04/12/2017 - 10:25 Permalink
Eric

In reply to by Anonymous (not verified)

Hello,

Hello,
You may want to contact the SSA regarding this if you suspect fraud.

Best Wishes,
Eric

Wed, 04/12/2017 - 16:30 Permalink
Mike (not verified)

I've tryed to call 3

I've tryed to call 3 different times and sat on phone waiting for an answer..Then left message...No one has called back...IMAGINE THAT..Government at work..pfffft..

Thu, 04/13/2017 - 06:23 Permalink
Bryan

In reply to by Mike (not verified)

Hi Mike,

Hi Mike,
I'm sorry to hear about that! You may want to report fraud by contacting the SSA by mail as well. Heres their address:
Social Security Fraud Hotline
P.O. Box 17768
Baltimore, Maryland 21235

Thu, 04/13/2017 - 09:09 Permalink
Matt (not verified)

What if someone on disability

What if someone on disability has someone living with them that works a full-time job that has a different address

Thu, 04/13/2017 - 19:10 Permalink
Bryan

In reply to by Matt (not verified)

Hi there,

Hi there,
that may not be considered fraud in some circumstances, you may want to contact the SSA about this if you suspect fraud. You can contact them at 1-800-772-1213.

Fri, 04/14/2017 - 09:18 Permalink
Anonymous (not verified)

If someone is out there all

If someone is out there all night long colleting can and making three hundred or more I find that to be fraud

Fri, 04/14/2017 - 05:16 Permalink
Bryan

In reply to by Anonymous (not verified)

Hi there,

Hi there,
You may want to contact the SSA regarding this, you can do so by calling them at 1-800-772-1213.

Mon, 04/17/2017 - 09:53 Permalink
annonamous (not verified)

Wow! I guess I won't

Wow! I guess I won't report someone I know is defrauding the disability system. Sounds too risky. And this person runs her own business, work's at the business and collects thousands each month, while on disability.

Fri, 04/14/2017 - 17:32 Permalink
Bryan

In reply to by annonamous (not verified)

Hi there,

Hi there,
It is possible to own a business while being on disability entirely legitimately. However, if you feel you need to report that to the SSA, you may not be obligated to included identifying information in your report.

Mon, 04/17/2017 - 09:54 Permalink
Key (not verified)

What if someone is on

What if someone is on disability and had someone over there money at the time and got married then it stoped. But that person still should have someone else over it other than themselves or their spouse. Knowing the person on disability needs to be on it but don't need to be over the money how can Social Security go about doing it.

Fri, 04/14/2017 - 20:32 Permalink
Debra hynum (not verified)

My son has been missing about

My son has been missing about 6 months and i suspect someone is taking his social security money. Do i report this to police or social security or both. I do not know his social security number.

Sat, 04/15/2017 - 00:47 Permalink
Bryan

In reply to by Debra hynum (not verified)

HI Debra,

HI Debra,
I would report this to both! I'm sorry to hear that and I hope he comes home safe.

Mon, 04/17/2017 - 09:48 Permalink
Tracy (not verified)

What if I know a person that

What if I know a person that is drawing disability and can give the exact place of where they are working under the table, do I still have to provide my information? If so, if the person is found guilty, will my information be exposed then?

Sun, 04/16/2017 - 08:51 Permalink
Bryan

In reply to by Tracy (not verified)

Hi Tracy,

Hi Tracy,
The SSA may use your information confidentially regardless of whether the person is found guilty or not.

Mon, 04/17/2017 - 09:49 Permalink
Fed up (not verified)

This is bills*** if I must

This is bills*** if I must say so. I filed a claim against a family member for committing fraud. She's working under the table, making a couple hundred dollars a week. And on disability for back problems. She's getting food stamps, and a welfare check that helps pay her electric bill. She gets rental assistance and only has to pay $100 a month for her house. She has a brand new car, side by side and a four wheeler in her dad's name. And she spends her disability money on pills and meth. And i can't even get help buying a new wheelchair for my son with cerebral palsy because I make 7.25 an hour for 25 hours a week. The system is seriously flawed. I reported her, I sent pictures in the email of her Facebook posts of her riding the fourwheeler deep in the mountains, which if her back injury is as bad as she claims, she wouldn't be able to do. I sent pictures of her snorting pills on her kitchen counters, she was questioned once, and she lied like a dog of course, and they told her they were closing the investigation. Seriously screwed up.

Sun, 04/16/2017 - 09:53 Permalink

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