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

nick (not verified)

What if someone did not

What if someone did not update they're address months after they moved. In state or moving out of state

Sat, 12/30/2017 - 23:22 Permalink
Eric

In reply to by nick (not verified)

Hi Nick,

Hi Nick,

That isn't grounds for fraud, since Social Security is federal program and not a state one. However, that person should let the SSA know that they moved and changed addresses.

Tue, 01/02/2018 - 09:42 Permalink
Cathy (not verified)

I am a retired nurse and I

I am a retired nurse and I have proof that a member of a family who is the POA is spending the man's SS on personal items and only a very small amount on the mans needs. This elderly man has dementia/Alzheimers. He has no clue what is going on. Plus there are other issues such as credit card fraud. What can I do?

Sun, 12/31/2017 - 16:40 Permalink
John Doe (not verified)

I'm aware of someone

I'm aware of someone receiving full disability (they state that it's the maximum amount the government will give out) for psychological disability. They have a plethora of mental issues, but are generally just psychotically mean. They run a business selling things on ebay and make quite a bit of money this way, and they also receive a large amount of money from family trust. Would running their ebay business and receiving the trust money preclude them from receiving disability benefits? They brag about how they receive more money than disabled veterans all of the time.

Sun, 12/31/2017 - 21:32 Permalink
Kiki (not verified)

I know a women who's son

I know a women who's son is on disability, and she is dealing with dcyf. She put her son in a hospital and relatives have been caring for him including me. She spends every penny and says it's her son so it's her money. If she's not taking care of him, I don't think she deserves to steal from him. She locked the nine year old in a high chair and made him eat old oatmeal from the day before or else he would have to go to bed with nothing. She's a monster. I think you should step up and stop her. She's wasting his life and planning another child for benefits. I've called everyone possible and submitted photos, but they want her side. The relative caring is too scared to complain. We need help.

Mon, 01/01/2018 - 08:35 Permalink
danae (not verified)

My neighbor has been

My neighbor has been receiving monthly disability checks, for 30 years, according to his sister. He supposedly got it with a diagnosis of MS (multiple sclerosis), which his sister says he was never diagnosed with and he does not have. How can this happen?

Tue, 01/02/2018 - 23:41 Permalink
Eric

In reply to by danae (not verified)

Hi Danae,

Hi Danae,

I really can't say for sure. The more physical evidence you have of this fraud, the better your chances of of this individual getting reported.

Wed, 01/03/2018 - 16:34 Permalink
Anonymous (not verified)

What do I do if I was told my

What do I do if I was told my card was loaded 3 weeks ago but never received it, tried contacting the edd nothing but a run around

Wed, 01/03/2018 - 15:44 Permalink
caroline (not verified)

what do i do if my ex is

what do i do if my ex is reciving the disability for two of our kids and instead of spending it on them he spending it on him and his new gf and our kids running around in holy shoes u can see their feet and it cold out they have no clotes but he makes sure him and his gf has what they want

Thu, 01/04/2018 - 10:20 Permalink
Ava Alvarez (not verified)

What can I do about someone

What can I do about someone claiming to live in my household and paying me rent to get an increase in his benefits

Sat, 01/06/2018 - 12:44 Permalink
Bryan

In reply to by Ava Alvarez (not verified)

Hi Ava,

Hi Ava,
You may want to contact the SSA regarding this as you could provide them with documentation of this.

Mon, 01/08/2018 - 16:10 Permalink
Celena... (not verified)

I know of a person who lives

I know of a person who lives in Mexico and is claiming ss for her daughter and only comes to appointments when she needs too... and her family collects money from atm and sends it to her or keeps it here for when she comes to usa.. she has a visa.. how can I report it...

Mon, 01/08/2018 - 13:40 Permalink
Bryan

In reply to by Celena... (not verified)

Hi Celena,

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

Mon, 01/08/2018 - 17:06 Permalink
Anonymous (not verified)

I have a neighbor whom

I have a neighbor whom supposedly hurt his back years ago and is collecting SSI disability. The past five years this individual has been cutting trees, moving trees, grading driveways, operating chainsaws and large equipment, (backhoe, dump truck, pay-loader, tractors, farm equipment, truck with a manual transmission) and doing these functions like there is nothing wrong with him. (pictures showing the evidence) Is there a source to forward these pics of evidence to have this individual investigated?

Wed, 01/10/2018 - 14:34 Permalink
Eric

In reply to by Anonymous (not verified)

Hi There,

Hi There,

The Social Security Administration Fraud Hotline should be able to answer that.

Thu, 01/11/2018 - 09:17 Permalink
Maria (not verified)

I know someone who has been

I know someone who has been receiving disability payments due to her medical condition but works and does not report her earnings in order to receive more money from the government and reports that she is unable to work. She works as a referee earning money and claiming she is not working. Her parents make sure to lie to everyone to cover her so that she can work while collecting disability payments and use her disability payments as part of payment for their mortgage. This is fraud correct? What if her parents lie for her?

Thu, 01/11/2018 - 21:47 Permalink
Bryan

In reply to by Maria (not verified)

Hi Maria,

Hi Maria,
People who receive disability may be able to work,with some limitations, and I could not say if this situation is fraud. To report any suspected fraud to the SSA, you can call them at the toll-free Social Security Administration Fraud Hotline at (800) 269-0271.

Mon, 01/15/2018 - 14:27 Permalink
Sue (not verified)

Will they investigate someone

Will they investigate someone who was receiving SS benefits for years but no longer? I was paying a man a fortune for cutting my grass because of his sob stories, then find out he had been receiving SS benefits for 10 years for medical reasons. Also, if you report possible fraud and they are found not guilty, do you still get in trouble for false allegations? I mean, I am not making any stories up, but I don't know for sure what they consider SS fraud and not worth risking my life just to help the system that got taken advantage of?

Thu, 01/11/2018 - 22:56 Permalink
Nicole cooper (not verified)

Is it fraud it someone is

Is it fraud it someone is applying for disability says he can’t work but can go dirt bike riding helping friend cut down trees smokes weed all day says he is a cardiac patient but has not been to the cardiologist in over 5 months he is overweight that is his only problem I feel I need to report him there are worse off people

Fri, 01/12/2018 - 21:25 Permalink
Eric

In reply to by Nicole cooper (not verified)

Hi Nicole,

Hi Nicole,

It could be considered fraud. You may want to call the SSA fraud hotline and leave a report.

Mon, 01/15/2018 - 09:16 Permalink
lisa (not verified)

What happens after u report

What happens after u report fraud with ssa and if im able to see the status of the investigation?

Sun, 01/14/2018 - 07:29 Permalink
Mom (not verified)

My daughters father receives

My daughters father receives disability. He hasn't been to the Dr in over a year, doesn't take his medication, and is very capable of working. The only reason he's still collecting is so he doesn't have to pay child support in Texas. Is this something I could/should report, I can prove his health is better than he says.

Sun, 01/14/2018 - 13:18 Permalink
Curious one (not verified)

what do you do if someone

what do you do if someone admitted on video to playing "crazy'' in order to get a reduced jail sentence and is now receiving a SSI for a mental disability?

Tue, 01/16/2018 - 12:12 Permalink
Ana (not verified)

Hi if I know some one is

Hi if I know some one is disability and they travel outside the country many times and also have a brand new car and they pay a car with the money the government give to their
Is fraud ?

Tue, 01/16/2018 - 16:30 Permalink
Ethan (not verified)

So some weirdo looney-bin

So some weirdo looney-bin added me on Facebook, probably found me because it says my job is disability income as his does, i am actually temporarily disabled from a traumatic brain injury, but it also says on his profile that hes collecting. Except he just posted a video of him climbing and hopping around on laundry machines, and has previously posted a video where he appears to be cracked out or something, definitely not drunk or high from good ol' pot.
Also hes a complete stranger, im in Florida and his profile says Ohio and we have no mutual friends or anything so im going off his Facebook profile that hes collecting disability. With a 50% chance of him actually being disabled and knowing nothing about him at all, how would i report this?

Tue, 01/16/2018 - 17:21 Permalink
Eric

In reply to by Ethan (not verified)

Hi Ethan,

Hi Ethan,

You can call the toll-free Social Security Administration Fraud Hotline at (800) 269-0271.

Wed, 01/17/2018 - 09:21 Permalink
U know (not verified)

What happens if someone is

What happens if someone is waiting to get disability approved but is able to work? They currently in school for heavy equipment but waiting on the check to come and then they will start working

Wed, 01/17/2018 - 00:21 Permalink
Jarrod (not verified)

What if I know someone who is

What if I know someone who is getting disability for being illiterate. Which enables them to avoid working. However they are on Facebook having full on conversations. They are able to manipulate the system as well. But nobody sees it's because they have three felonies on her record. And that's why she files she's never worked a day in her life. Still stealing multiple stores. Multiple times a month. The persons brother taught her and does the same exact thing.

Wed, 01/17/2018 - 06:44 Permalink
Wendy (not verified)

My ex gf is getting

My ex gf is getting disability money and working several off jobs that pay her 15,20 dollars an hr tax free. I know she keeps records on how much she work and how much they owe her because I've seen it .She puts on her laptop .It makes me mad because I work hard for my money and get lots if taxes taken out .. I don't remember her social but I do know if she's contacted shell delete it all ..Plus these people paying her also aren't paying taxes either.Hiws that fair to us taxpayers ..

Wed, 01/17/2018 - 13:17 Permalink
Bryan

In reply to by Wendy (not verified)

Hi Wendy,

Hi Wendy,
You would need to contact the SSA about suspected fraud.

Wed, 01/17/2018 - 15:58 Permalink
sherrie (not verified)

so if the mother is guardian

so if the mother is guardian of the child check who is 18 age and that child don't live with her and she won't give the child his check but use it to pay her bills and gamble what is the kid options. He lives with someone else where he has to pay bills but the mother won't give him his check and says if you call them ppl they will just stop the check....so he has to call other family members for money to pay his cell phone bill and get money for food....what is his option?

Wed, 01/17/2018 - 20:27 Permalink
Michell McCarty (not verified)

What if some one is using my

What if some one is using my name to try to collect it?

Thu, 01/18/2018 - 11:36 Permalink
Bryan

In reply to by Michell McCarty (not verified)

Hi Michell,

Hi Michell,
You should contact the SSA immediately about this! You can call the Social Security Administration Fraud Hotline at (800) 269-0271.

Thu, 01/18/2018 - 14:25 Permalink
kate (not verified)

I know of some one with a

I know of some one with a back injury from work she collects but still works off the books i know her personally and know of her ssh what do I need to do tp report her

Fri, 01/19/2018 - 17:28 Permalink
Sarah (not verified)

What if someone is receiving

What if someone is receiving death benefits for a child and they don't have the child living with them?

Fri, 01/19/2018 - 20:14 Permalink

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