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.
Blog comments
My mom's boyfriend has
My mom's boyfriend has been taking his SSI check since he was 3 and has never giving him any money and he is now 21, we just had a baby and she still refuses to give up his check. He feels bad for her so he really doesnt talk about it with her often but I would like to do something about it so our newborn won't be in need. What can I do?
In reply to My mom's boyfriend has by private (not verified)
Hi there,
Hi there,
You may want to contact the SSA regarding this, they may be able to re-assign his payee to someone who would be willing to provide him with the money. You can call them at 1-800-772-1213.
so if i report a real fraud
so if i report a real fraud but the investigators dont catch them at it i go to prison
In reply to so if i report a real fraud by Angie (not verified)
Hi Angie,
Hi Angie,
The SSA may not prosecute people who make reports in good faith.
I know a person that's
I know a person that's been collecting ss money that their father has been death for almost 2 years...how can a person get away with $1000 a month for free...makes me angry that y'all can't even notice it
In reply to I know a person that's by Anonymous (not verified)
Hi there,
Hi there,
We are not affiliated with the SSA or the federal government, so we do not have any authority to investigate potential fraud. You may want to contact the SSA regarding this, you can do so by calling them at 1-800-772-1213
I have a neighbor that is
I have a neighbor that is receiving government assistance but we believe the nurse that takes care of her brought people to live in her house for free. My neighbor is a very kind hearted person so we don't know if they are taking advantage of her or if she let them live with her. Either way I want to know if I could contact someone to investigate it this more. I would hate for her to be used.
In reply to I have a neighbor that is by Anonymous (not verified)
Hi there,
Hi there,
While you may want to contact the SSA regarding this, you may also want to contact the agency that the nurse works for or contracts with, as they would be the organization that would be able to assign a new nurse for your neighbor if needed.
Somebody told my sister
Somebody told my sister years ago that they received disability for being legally blind. How can they drive and be legally blind? The husband is illegal and makes good money under the table, large equipment operator, they have a rental property. The husband told me and my husband this. How can she drive and be legally blind? How can she collect disability for being legally blind and drive? I just want to make sure if this is enough evidence to call it a fraud?
In reply to Somebody told my sister by Anonymous (not verified)
Hello,
Hello,
You can call the SSA at 1-800-772-1213 and file a report for fraud. They can tell you the next steps going forward.
Best Wishes,
Eric
In reply to Hello, by Eric
Hi Eric,
Hi Eric,
I know that I can file a report for fraud. Can you get disability for being legally blind and still drive?
In reply to Hi Eric, by Anonymous (not verified)
Hello,
Hello,
You get can Social Security disability benefits for being legally blind. I am unaware of this person's circumstance on how they can drive though.
Best Wishes,
Eric
I know a couple that claim as
I know a couple that claim as there single but there not just to get that £600 a mth , sad but true , separate claims from separate addresses , but he rents his place out
In reply to I know a couple that claim as by Jo bloggs (not verified)
Hi Jo,
Hi Jo,
You can go to https://www.ssa.gov/ and file a report for fraud if you suspect it.
Best Wishes,
Eric
what if you have 50 acre of
what if you have 50 acre of property and you dont claim it is that fraud
In reply to what if you have 50 acre of by debbie (not verified)
HI Debbie,
HI Debbie,
It would be if that person is receiving SSI benefits, as those are income and resource based.
How do I report someone who
How do I report someone who is using someone else's SSN to work?
In reply to How do I report someone who by Shirley (not verified)
Hi there,
Hi there,
you may want to contact the SSA at 1-800-772-1213, or you can contact a local SSA office as well, you can find a listing here:
http://www.disability-benefits-help.org/content/social-security-disabil…
My brother receives
My brother receives disability and I believe it is not fraud. BUT the person he made to receive his money, is taking all of it except for a small amount of $100 a month. And they tell him they are paying his child support, but are not. Note- the child support is ordered by the same family receiving his disability check. So in summary, they are taking almost all of his money AND keeping him on the hook for unpaid child support. (Who knows to what end, blackmail if he wanted to leave and take his check with him?)
Any help with this??? Desperate.
In reply to My brother receives by Angel (not verified)
Hi Angel, you may want to
Hi Angel, you may want to contact your local SSA office regarding this, as they may be able to re-assign your brother's payee. You can find a listing of them here:
http://www.disability-benefits-help.org/content/social-security-disabil…
I am pretty sure that my ex
I am pretty sure that my ex is committing disability fraud. He had an injury to his foot while at work. It's been over 4 years since he's worked and has had 4 kids he is no longer obligated to pay child support for yet he is taking several vacations and hired attorneys now in 2 states he doesn't reside in to try to gain visitation again. He is capable of driving each day and traveling and even mowing the lawn (his words). He may be medicated but he operates a vehicle each day? He also completed a masters degree during this time and I just question how he can afford everything. He's a "salesman" and has been extremely dishonest in the past. I don't want to sound like the scorned ex wife but none of it makes sense! Any advice?
In reply to I am pretty sure that my ex by Jenna (not verified)
HI Jenna,
HI Jenna,
You may want to report him to the SSA if he is receiving disability benefits, you can do so by sending evidence to them here:
Social Security Fraud Hotline
P.O. Box 17768
Baltimore, Maryland 21235
Hi, thanks for having such a
Hi, thanks for having such a great blog! I love this.
I know a woman on YouTube, age 62 and living in her van, who gets SSDI. But in a YouTube video, twice she admits she would be working if it were not for ageism. She didn't mean up to the SGA level, but working full-time. She uses SSDI since her unemployment and savings ran out. Nevertheless, the State DDS Committee approved her, so it must have been for a good reason. Should I bother reporting her? Thanks!
In reply to Hi, thanks for having such a by Stephanie (not verified)
Hi Stephanie,
Hi Stephanie,
Unfortunately, this person may not be committing fraud, as the SSA does consider age when awarding benefits.
In reply to Hi Stephanie, by Bryan
Thanks so much fro your
Thanks so much fro your advice!
I know someone who is filing
I know someone who is filing a case and has an upcoming court case for ssi, they are really faking everything like they are sick and disabaeled they are not, how can I file this
In reply to I know someone who is filing by miss b (not verified)
You may want to send a letter
You may want to send a letter to the SSA here:
Social Security Fraud Hotline
P.O. Box 17768
Baltimore, Maryland 21235
What if I know someone who
What if I know someone who hasn't reported working while on disability and now works from home half of the week and in office the other half of the week and gets paid in cash and also has checks written for them in someone else's name.
In reply to What if I know someone who by Thomas (not verified)
Hi Thomas,
Hi Thomas,
You may want to send a letter to the SSA here:
Social Security Fraud Hotline
P.O. Box 17768
Baltimore, Maryland 21235
Best Wishes,
Eric
I know someone who has
I know someone who has successfully been receiving disability due to a back issue yet she lifts her 150 lb Sick mother multiple times daily. Feels so wrong.
In reply to I know someone who has by Linda Lope (not verified)
Hi Linda,
Hi Linda,
If you suspect fraud you can call the SSA at 1-800-772-1213 and file a report.
Best Wishes,
Eric
What if you know someone who
What if you know someone who open a bar and is getting disability.
In reply to What if you know someone who by Anonymous (not verified)
Hi there,
Hi there,
If they are an owner of the bar, but do not perform work in the bar, they may not be committing fraud.
How do we report a person who
How do we report a person who collects benefits (On behalf on her child) but left the child with the grandparents? The child receives disability benefits. The mother has been gone for over a year to Mexico. What would be the first steps to report? How long does this process take before it is investigated?
In reply to How do we report a person who by Anonymous (not verified)
HI there,
HI there,
You may want to call the SSA regarding this, they can re-assign the child's payee to someone who would be able to use the funds for the child.
I know someone that is
I know someone that is receiving benefits on the grounds that something is wrong with his back.But still rides a crotch rocket motorcycle and does manual labor for his Aunt and gets paid cash for it.What can be done?
In reply to I know someone that is by Korie (not verified)
Hi Korie,
Hi Korie,
If you suspect fraud you can call the SSA at 1-800-772-1213 and file a report.
Best Wishes,
Eric
I suspect one of my neighbors
I suspect one of my neighbors is collecting SSDI but we rarely speak and since I am not sure, I will not say anything for fear of being wrong and sued for liable. Can the SSA publish a list of people receiving SSDI so neighbors like me will know if it is legally safe to report them. I'd also like to see a list of people in my community are getting Food Stamps so I can report illegals and others that are receiving them fraudulently. It's my tax money and I would like to know who is getting it.
In reply to I suspect one of my neighbors by Steve (not verified)
Hi Steve,
Hi Steve,
The SSA may not do that as that may lead to Americans who are legitimately receiving SSA benefits to be discriminated against. Similarly, that may be a reason that you cannot find a list of people receiving food stamps.
Can you report if a person is
Can you report if a person is buying crack cocaine with Social Security disability income
In reply to Can you report if a person is by Guy (not verified)
Hi there,
Hi there,
You may be able to do so, you may want to contact the SSA regarding this, you can do so by calling them at (800) 269-0271.
I am going to family court
I am going to family court for full custody of my son and his mother collects SSI and now in court she claims she is normal and don't have theses problems
In reply to I am going to family court by Tom (not verified)
Hi there,
Hi there,
You may want to collect evidence of this and pass it to the SSA, you can send evidence of fraud here:
Social Security Fraud Hotline
P.O. Box 17768
Baltimore, Maryland 21235
What if someone is collecting
What if someone is collecting disablity because of a accident and can't work. Also this person gets a check every week from her mom that has control over her money. Isn't that fraud by not reporting the money
In reply to What if someone is collecting by Angela (not verified)
Hi Angela,
Hi Angela,
Not reporting any additional income on top of disability benefits may be considered fraud. You can call the SSA at 1-800-772-1213 and leave a report with them.
Best,
Eric
I have a brother-in-law who
I have a brother-in-law who has had cancer a couple of different times but he is working full-time and he also collect Social Security and VA disability what's up with that
In reply to I have a brother-in-law who by Fed (not verified)
Hello,
Hello,
If you suspect fraud you can call the SSA and leave a report with them. 1-800-772-1213.
Best,
Eric
If someone is getting
If someone is getting disability but is not living in the US anymore and is getting under the table contributions and seeking employment in Europe are they disqualified. I had a recipient also approach me and ask me to use their food card at the store when I was in the US to make it look like they are there but I refused. She is also selling her artwork without paying any taxes or notifying disability or social security. I do not know how to prove this though but I was told by her that is what she is doing. What can and should I do. I think it is not right to take money away from people who really need it. She does have a heart issue and had hurt her hand before but I have seen her carrying things from place to place and doing all kinds of things. She is trying to work here so she can also work in the US.
In reply to If someone is getting by Anonymous (not verified)
Hi there,
Hi there,
You may want to contact the SSA regarding this, while it is possible to receive benefits while living overseas, there are limitations to that. You can report fraud by using the SSA's Fraud Hotline at (800) 269-0271.
What if you reciece a
What if you reciece a disability check or card or whatever and someone you know has it and threaten you and say if you try to get it they will kill you what do you do ?
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