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

Jade (not verified)

I have a question. I know

I have a question. I know someone who is pulling ss checks of dead people and putting it in their bank account. I know it’s wrong, but is it illegal. I want to report it but I want to stay anonymous. How do I go about doing so?

Sat, 10/28/2017 - 19:30 Permalink
Bryan

In reply to by Jade (not verified)

Hi Jade,

Hi Jade,
That may be illegal. You can report fraud by contacting the toll-free Social Security Administration Fraud Hotline at (800) 269-0271.

Mon, 10/30/2017 - 08:42 Permalink
Peter (not verified)

This guy I know has been ran

This guy I know has been ran over n collects his benifits. He works construction now! He is paid under table n sells his pills! Disabled, yes. Completely, no, obviously. It's not right as a tax payer to witness this scam. Will I be in trouble for reporting if they see him justified in his action? I mean if it looks n smells like " " it must be, right?

Mon, 10/30/2017 - 21:07 Permalink
Bryan

In reply to by Peter (not verified)

Hi Peter,

Hi Peter,
If you report fraud in good faith, the SSA would not penalize you for doing so.

Tue, 10/31/2017 - 09:50 Permalink
Vickie (not verified)

I know someone who is getting

I know someone who is getting as I under a false name.what do I do to report thid

Tue, 10/31/2017 - 00:39 Permalink
Bryan

In reply to by Vickie (not verified)

Hi Vickie,

Hi Vickie,
I would contact the SSA regarding this, you can do so by contacting the toll-free Social Security Administration Fraud Hotline at (800) 269-0271

Tue, 10/31/2017 - 09:47 Permalink
Unbelievable (not verified)

The person I know has a

The person I know has a scohership program for runner for years works under the table and uses her so call sponses name for everything so she can collect. Is addicted to prescription pills amoung other things and rents a bed and breakfast which is her house also does regular rents. She definitely has more coming in then she may claim. But key is most of them use other peoples names lie and play the poor disable victim.

Tue, 10/31/2017 - 07:46 Permalink
Bryan

In reply to by Unbelievable (not verified)

Hi there,

Hi there,
You may want to report suspected fraud by contacting the toll-free Social Security Administration Fraud Hotline at (800) 269-0271

Tue, 10/31/2017 - 09:48 Permalink
Cut off at the knees (not verified)

What should one do when

What should one do when applying for Disability and the Consulting Evaluator you met with for 5 minutes total submits a very lengthy, elaborative statement about so many things that were never spoken of or took place? Example...saying that I drew pictures, took all kinds of tests that never happened.

Tue, 10/31/2017 - 08:14 Permalink
Bryan

In reply to by Cut off at the knees (not verified)

Hi there,

Hi there,
You may want to contact the SSA regarding this and let them know that they consulting evaluator may have fabricated this information.

Tue, 10/31/2017 - 09:50 Permalink
Anonymous (not verified)

I know someone who work 108 a

I know someone who work 108 a week for cash money as a caregiver and the government is paying someone to take care of her as for her disability she is not disabled working a hundred and eight hours a week and also getting a disability check every month what would you call this getting over on the system

Tue, 10/31/2017 - 12:16 Permalink
Anonymous (not verified)

I know a guy that works full

I know a guy that works full time 8a to 4p.. M-F...even overtime because he had me take his time sheet in for him as we work for the same company. He told me he is fighting for disability and keeps saying he's not worked in years because he can't. He even got his therapist to write it up he doesn't work. What is going on here?? Should I speak up?

Wed, 11/01/2017 - 23:02 Permalink
Maria (not verified)

Hi, i have a fellow nursing

Hi, i have a fellow nursing student who is getting disability and attending nursing school and goes to clinicals while get disability. She told us she can get into trouble while she’s in nursing school and she can’t handle standing on her feet or perform work due to the pain in her knees. Can you lift patients and turn patients while on disability and collecting money for disability?

Fri, 11/03/2017 - 00:16 Permalink
Eric

In reply to by Maria (not verified)

Hi Maria,

Hi Maria,

You are able to work/attend school while being on SSD benefits, then alone doesn't constitute fraud.

Fri, 11/03/2017 - 08:57 Permalink
Tania (not verified)

I know someone that collects

I know someone that collects SSD because she has chronic arthritis and she moved to South America. The system deposits her checks in an account over there. As soon as her SS disability was approved she left USA. Since then she has been WORKING FULL TIME as a realtor in that country, Becoming the top one in that country. Is she committing fraud even though she is in another country?

Sat, 11/04/2017 - 12:57 Permalink
Eric

In reply to by Tania (not verified)

Hi Tania,

Hi Tania,

You can live in another country and still receive Social Security benefits. That alone does not constitute fraud.

Mon, 11/06/2017 - 09:05 Permalink
Tania (not verified)

In reply to by Eric

I understand that she can

I understand that she can collect SS Disablility Benefits in another country...But CAN SHE WORK FULL TIME?

Mon, 11/06/2017 - 23:54 Permalink
Tania (not verified)

In reply to by Deanna

So she collects SSDBenefits

So she collects SSDBenefits (chronic arthritis) . She is the top realtor seller in this country. She works full time....should this be reported as fraud?

Tue, 11/07/2017 - 11:15 Permalink
Bryan robinson (not verified)

I know someone was in jail at

I know someone was in jail at the time when her mother and sister posed as her on the phone to get her her benefits

Mon, 11/06/2017 - 16:58 Permalink
Relative of Di… (not verified)

What if someone that is

What if someone that is receiving disability benefits, is claiming multiple children within those benefits, and none of those children live in that persons home?

Tue, 11/07/2017 - 12:50 Permalink
Deanna

In reply to by Relative of Di… (not verified)

This might be fraud, but may

This might be fraud, but may not if the parent is using the money for the children's needs or sending the money to the children. It would depend on how the income was spent!

Tue, 11/07/2017 - 15:38 Permalink
Natasha (not verified)

What if I know someone who

What if I know someone who uses the SSI she gets from her children to buy marijuana for a friend? I have seen it first hand & she will deny usage of it & her urine will come a little dirty. She gets prescription pills and gets high off of them, how can i report this while staying anonymous?

Thu, 11/09/2017 - 11:48 Permalink
Julie (not verified)

I know of a young lady who

I know of a young lady who will be going to court for disability benefits on 01/19/18. She is already planning a big vacation with her money for her back. I am close with the family she is out getting her nails done shopping the zoo. She has had back surgery but she I'd young she needs to get back to life. Not get social security disability. Is there anything I can do

Thu, 11/09/2017 - 20:42 Permalink
Worried (not verified)

Can u report fraud of a child

Can u report fraud of a child using his mother's bank card which ssi deposits In her bank account but mother is in the hospital unresponsive?

Sat, 11/11/2017 - 18:45 Permalink
CJ (not verified)

If an individual is receiving

If an individual is receiving SSDI, are they required to report any income they may be receiving or even other financial support? Income that isnt necessarily going to leave a paper trail?

Sat, 11/11/2017 - 23:30 Permalink
Lisa (not verified)

I suspect a female 58 year of

I suspect a female 58 year of age has been commiting disability fraud. She has been working 4 to 5 days a week as a house keeping under the table for a few years. I was living with her older brother and he has been working with her for free. I even withnessed him deposited a check from customer in her banking account when she was on vacation and her brother worked for her.

Sun, 11/12/2017 - 14:45 Permalink
Lisa (not verified)

I suspect a female 58 year of

I suspect a female 58 year of age has been commiting disability fraud. She has been working 4 to 5 days a week as a house keeping under the table for a few years. I was living with her older brother and he has been working with her for free. I even withnessed him deposited a check from a customer in her banking account when she was on vacation and her brother worked for her. I wonder if I should report to SSD anoynomously.

Sun, 11/12/2017 - 14:57 Permalink
Lane (not verified)

I received information that a

I received information that a person is receiving disability for a stroke. He and his wife currently own an assembly business together. While the business is in his wife's name, he does the majority of the work. I know the persons name, phone number and can get the address if needed, but I do not want my name coming up in the conversation. Is this possible?

Tue, 11/14/2017 - 09:11 Permalink
Eric

In reply to by Lane (not verified)

Hi Lane,

Hi Lane,

Yes, you are able to leave an anonymous report. However, you are able to work and receive Social Security at the same time, so that alone does not constitute fraud.

Wed, 11/15/2017 - 09:53 Permalink
KATHY R SMITH (not verified)

If a person comes into a

If a person comes into a large monetary settlement does that need to be reported as income to the SSI?

Tue, 11/14/2017 - 12:59 Permalink
Anonymous (not verified)

I know someone used a scam to

I know someone used a scam to get my grandfather to sign his social security check over. A relative is involved. What do I do?

Wed, 11/15/2017 - 00:52 Permalink
Bryan

In reply to by Anonymous (not verified)

Hi there,

Hi there,
I would contact the SSA, you can call them at the toll-free Social Security Administration Fraud Hotline at (800) 269-0271

Wed, 11/15/2017 - 09:44 Permalink
Kenny (not verified)

I moved here in 2001, and my

I moved here in 2001, and my neighbor had already stopped working some time before then. In conversations with him, he said he had become disabled due to a back injury. However, over the years I see him constantly working in his yard, improving his property, etc. He even constructed a small barn-style building from scratch... by himself! Today, I see him shoveling a load of rocks out of his truck with a shovel. He was bending over, extended, using the shovel to empty the load. All without the slightest sign of pain or limitations. I'm sick of this so I used my phone to record him in action. Would the video be enough to get this guy of the money train? I know his name and address, but wouldn't have the other personal details. I would also like to know if there's any assistance in how to protect myself from retaliation if I turn him in. He's an arrogant hothead, and he's gotten pretty comfy over there with the rest of us paying for his nice life-style.

Thu, 11/16/2017 - 01:20 Permalink
Bryan

In reply to by Kenny (not verified)

Hi Kenny,

Hi Kenny,
You may want to contact the SSA with any information regarding suspected fraud.

Thu, 11/16/2017 - 07:47 Permalink
Shun (not verified)

I know of a person that has

I know of a person that has been receiving disability benefits and I don't think she should, her husband comes to work bragging , how his wife is playing crazy to receive the benefits. They use to cut my grass , him & his wife , I really don't think she should be doing such, if she is claiming disability. Is this grounds to file a report on her?

Thu, 11/16/2017 - 02:58 Permalink
Bryan

In reply to by Shun (not verified)

Hi Shun,

Hi Shun,
It's extremely difficult to determine if that person does or does not have a mental or psychological problem without a professional opinion. I really could not say if you should or should not file a report, but you can contact the SSA at 1-800-772-1213.

Thu, 11/16/2017 - 07:57 Permalink
Angel smith (not verified)

Is it legal for the money to

Is it legal for the money to be used in purchase of illegal drugs??

Fri, 11/17/2017 - 17:01 Permalink
Eric

In reply to by Angel smith (not verified)

Hi Angel,

Hi Angel,

That would constitute as fraud. If you have physical evidence of this you should notify the SSA immediately.

Mon, 11/20/2017 - 09:11 Permalink
Dee G. (not verified)

My ex landlord for some

My ex landlord for some reason would not take my checks for rent. Which I didnt understand why not but I lived there for a couple of years and all of the sudden asked for his house back..Well, I stated ro notice mail under s different name start to arrive during that time..but did not know who these people were so I'd send their mail back..Well the landlord ended up being the landlord from hell..At the end of my move the next door neighbor says that the mail belongs to the son and daughter in law of the landlord and the house is under is their name but its really the landlords and his wife which both recieve SSI..Come to find out they own 2 homes...He also works under the table at odd jobs here and there..its disgustes me to know that with all this new technology and at this day in age..People still get away with this fraud..not only that but the people who really deserve these benefits get turned away but you have these criminals that get away with this type of crimes..how would I go about reporrting this type of fraud and what would I need ??

Sat, 11/18/2017 - 10:34 Permalink

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