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.

Additional Resources

Blog comments

тнαт'ѕ иσт ιмρ… (not verified)

ι нανє α qυєѕтισи ιf ѕσмєвσ∂у

ι нανє α qυєѕтισи ιf ѕσмєвσ∂у'ѕ мσм ιѕ тнєιя ραуєє fσя ѕσ¢ιαℓ ѕє¢υяιту вυт ѕнє ℓινєѕ ιи αиσтнєя ¢ιту ωнєяє нєя ѕσи ∂σєѕи'т єνєи киσω ωнєяє ѕнє ℓινєѕ αи∂ ѕнє кєєρѕ αℓℓ нιѕ мσиєу єνєяу мσитн ¢αи ѕнє gєт ιи тяσυвℓє fσя тнαт

Mon, 01/16/2017 - 13:24 Permalink
Bryan

In reply to by тнαт'ѕ иσт ιмρ… (not verified)

Hi there,

Hi there,
Yes, That may be considered benefits fraud. You may want to contact the SSA regarding this, they can re-assign your payee to make sure that you can receive your benefits.

Mon, 01/16/2017 - 15:00 Permalink
Shania (not verified)

What if someone is keeping my

What if someone is keeping my payments without me knowing the payments were coming.

Mon, 01/16/2017 - 14:30 Permalink
Bryan

In reply to by Shania (not verified)

Hi there,

Hi there,
you may want to contact the SSA so that they can re-assign your payee so that does not happen any further.

Tue, 01/17/2017 - 09:29 Permalink
SHARON (not verified)

I know someone who coached

I know someone who coached their (toddler) child into not talking to seem incoherent. This person now get disability for this toddler monthly and purposely does not work and spends money on clothes and partying with the benefits.

Tue, 01/17/2017 - 12:20 Permalink
Not Now (not verified)

A person who has been drawing

A person who has been drawing Social Security Disability since 2003 has been earning over $19,000 per year cash and has not reported it. There are Discovery documents in an ongoing suit in which the person admits to this. This Discovery document is signed by the individual and notarized. Is this sufficient evidence to start an investigation?

Tue, 01/17/2017 - 19:24 Permalink
Bryan

In reply to by Not Now (not verified)

Hi there,

Hi there,
I really could not say as we are not affiliated with the SSA nor are we affiliated with the federal government. You may want to contact the SSA regarding this, you can call them at 1-800-772-1213

Wed, 01/18/2017 - 09:36 Permalink
Jane (not verified)

What if I know someone

What if I know someone applying SSDI and still processing for more 2 years but he working at home in insurance agency ...

Wed, 01/18/2017 - 18:32 Permalink
Bryan

In reply to by Jane (not verified)

Hi there,

Hi there,
You may want to contact the SSA regarding this, you can do so here:
Social Security Fraud Hotline
P.O. Box 17768
Baltimore, Maryland 21235

Thu, 01/19/2017 - 09:19 Permalink
Shannon (not verified)

I am on diability, and I was

I am on diability, and I was reported, i don't work, I don't do any thing, I sit at home and go to the Dr. But no one protects us from this kind of stuff, you will not be live what I have been thru, I and what so bad we are not allowed to know who told a lie on us, but the whole world gets to know your being investigated for this matter, people see me and say she should mot be on disability,I tell you what I wish one person ,just one could just see my whole entire life and then they would understand a mental disability

Thu, 01/19/2017 - 08:01 Permalink
annie anonymous (not verified)

I have a guardian and I

I have a guardian and I wanted to go back to work five years ago. I called my caseworker and told her I found a great job would she please contact Social Security as I receive benefits through SSI. She replied that it wasn't needed as they didn't file taxes for me. I worked for four and a half years and the guardian collected my benefits giving me a monthly 45.00 allowance. I stopped working and one year later (last week) found information that not reporting income is fraud. What should I do as I now want to return to work. My guardian says just work. I don't want to commit fraud.

Thu, 01/19/2017 - 17:05 Permalink
Bryan

In reply to by annie anonymous (not verified)

Hi there,

Hi there,
You may want to contact the SSA directly to report your income, they will adjust your benefits accordingly.

Mon, 01/23/2017 - 10:19 Permalink
Anonymous (not verified)

What is a person is using

What is a person is using illegal drug with ssa money

Thu, 01/19/2017 - 17:35 Permalink
Bryan

In reply to by Anonymous (not verified)

Hi there,

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

Mon, 01/23/2017 - 10:20 Permalink
Jane (not verified)

How is one able to collect

How is one able to collect disabilty for a chronic pain condition, but same person has the health ability to take 3 pleasure trips to Europe within 2 years? This seems a bit "off" to me.

Fri, 01/20/2017 - 19:04 Permalink
Bryan

In reply to by Jane (not verified)

Hi Jane,

Hi Jane,
A disability that prevents you from working may not prevent you from travel, but it depends on the person and their disability.

Mon, 01/23/2017 - 10:21 Permalink
Sean (not verified)

I know someone that is on

I know someone that is on disability; has been for a long time, works under the table for $15-20.00 an hour, lives in fixed income housing and travels to Mexico or Florida for 2 months of the year, every year. No idea how this wouldnmt trigger an invenstigation? It appeara i'm doing things the wrong way, I work Monday-Friday and can't leave the country for 2 months; all winter. I don't want to report this person incase rhey find out i reported them.

Fri, 01/20/2017 - 23:46 Permalink
Bryan

In reply to by Sean (not verified)

Hi Sean,

Hi Sean,
You may want to speak with the SSA about this, you can do so by going here:
www.ssa.gov

They may not share information about the people who report benefits fraud.

Mon, 01/23/2017 - 10:22 Permalink
Anonymous (not verified)

What should I me and my

What should I me and my husband do if someone took out disability using his identity?

Tue, 01/24/2017 - 01:04 Permalink
Michelle (not verified)

I know an elderly gentleman

I know an elderly gentleman who has been very ill for quite a few years, but recently has gotten a lot worse. He has been receiving SS payments for a long time now, but I am pretty sure that members of his family retain most of this money for their own use, and that this has contributed to his decline. His family members will not disclose any financial information, so can I do anything about this if I don't have physical proof?

Wed, 01/25/2017 - 12:59 Permalink
Jeff Bartlett (not verified)

I tried this.. never heard

I tried this.. never heard back again from them.. and this guy had a triple bypass.. and started working 2 mnths after that.. and get's a check from 3 different people every week for WORKING. on Top of full benefits.. smh

Wed, 01/25/2017 - 14:08 Permalink
Eric

In reply to by Jeff Bartlett (not verified)

Hi Jeff,

Hi Jeff,

I am sorry to hear that. Can you please provide us with a little bit more information pertaining to your case so we can help you?

Best Wishes,
Eric

Wed, 01/25/2017 - 16:48 Permalink
Sara T Beskalis (not verified)

My uncle and his wife are

My uncle and his wife are getting SSI and his wife's mom past away 10 years ago but they are still taking her money how do I report asap please email me.

Thu, 01/26/2017 - 05:58 Permalink
Ed Nuss (not verified)

Hi,

Hi,
I'm considering reporting someone for abuse of benefits. This person prides himself on working the system. Flying all over the USA, using different addresses, while saying he's on vacation, even uses different area codes. I could go into way more fact. He gets over 1000.00$ a month, plus food benefits. Is this considered abuse?

Fri, 01/27/2017 - 20:29 Permalink
Bryan

In reply to by Ed Nuss (not verified)

Hi Ed,

Hi Ed,
I really could not say just based on that information,but you may want to contact the SSA with any information pertaining to suspected fraud.

Mon, 01/30/2017 - 10:58 Permalink
Scotty (not verified)

The amount of people who have

The amount of people who have fooled the system is staggering. I am disabled with lots of broken parts and some other health problems. I wish I could share my story and what I have learned with congress. The SSI program seems to be the problem with most recipients having a short work history if any. This program also includes the young, people with anxiety and alcoholics and drug addicts to receive benefits. The recipients then qualify for all other types of assistance. The SSDI program recipients are folks that worked most if not all of their lives. l worked on the books for 39 years in positions that required extensive physical labor at times. There is a big difference between the two programs and I was saddened to find that the majority are on the SSI program. There is so much else I learned and things definitely need to be changed, however, this conversation usually falls on deaf ears. Too bad.

Sun, 01/29/2017 - 12:32 Permalink
Bryan

In reply to by Scotty (not verified)

Hi Scotty,

Hi Scotty,
Thanks for sharing! It's true, SSI is an income-based program, and SSDI is based on work credits.

Tue, 01/31/2017 - 14:16 Permalink
Nichol (not verified)

What if someone is getting

What if someone is getting disability checks for kids but yet she does not take care of them other people do. They do not live in her household!

Wed, 02/01/2017 - 13:21 Permalink
claudia (not verified)

After you send in the fraud

After you send in the fraud report what happens? How is the allegation addressed?

Fri, 02/03/2017 - 07:28 Permalink
Amanda (not verified)

My boss takes social security

My boss takes social security tax out of my check, but has never paid it in for 6 years. What do I do?

Fri, 02/03/2017 - 09:37 Permalink
Bryan

In reply to by Amanda (not verified)

Hi Amanda,

Hi Amanda,
You may want to contact the IRS if they are not involved already, not paying payroll tax as an employer may be a serious infraction.

Fri, 02/03/2017 - 10:44 Permalink
Denise (not verified)

Isn't it true that if

Isn't it true that if you are receiving disability payments you are supposed to report large inheritance, or only have one residence?

Fri, 02/03/2017 - 17:29 Permalink
Bryan

In reply to by Denise (not verified)

Hi there,

Hi there,
If you're receiving SSI benefits, then you may have to report income to the SSA.

Mon, 02/06/2017 - 09:16 Permalink
AL (not verified)

Not being able to remain

Not being able to remain anonymous is why I'm not reporting this idiot that needs a job so he stops smoking pot he mooches all day and doing nothing but hanging out at our house all the time so we can feed him too. I hate him. He needs to get off disability, he's just lazy.

Sat, 02/04/2017 - 13:24 Permalink
DJ (not verified)

Are you allowed to have a job

Are you allowed to have a job while receiving disability?

Mon, 02/06/2017 - 09:56 Permalink
Bryan

In reply to by DJ (not verified)

Hi DJ,

Hi DJ,
You may be able to, however there may be restrictions on the amount of income that you would be able to make and what type of work that you would be able to do.

Mon, 02/06/2017 - 13:12 Permalink
confused (not verified)

I need a real agent or

I need a real agent or someone who can seriously tell me if I REPORT someone that I KNOW IS COMMITTING fraud that the will be prosecuted. it is sad how many people need help n that you have those who are preventing others from reaping the benefit of this service.

Tue, 02/07/2017 - 09:08 Permalink
Bryan

In reply to by confused (not verified)

Hi there,

Hi there,
The SSA investigates fraud every day! You can report with confidence.

Tue, 02/07/2017 - 09:36 Permalink
Miriam (not verified)

My ex husband has been on SSI

My ex husband has been on SSI for the past 18 years granted he had 12 back surgeries but, he has a boat and fishes all day, plays the stock market drives his ram truck 8-10 hours back and forth from Colorado and California goes to the gym lifts weights..I know he does things under the table for cash I worked hard all of my life and it bothers me to know he is a con defrauding the Government....Should I report him I am quite confident if you dig you will find prescription drugs fraud as well as a whole list of other things he has done in the shadows

Tue, 02/07/2017 - 11:21 Permalink
dishearted (not verified)

I've been reading all

I've been reading all these comments. This is so disheartening. I have a friend who is a pot head works under the table and collects ssi. It pisses me off as well, I work hard and hurt everyday with a chronic pain disease and I don't collect ssi. I sure hope President Trump does something about ssi and the inability to do their job right . There won't be any money left for us hard working Americans if these looser cheaters use it all up. I am confused though, you said to turn someone in you have to give your ss. I just saw where you told a lady that she could write a letter anonymously. Which is it??

Tue, 02/07/2017 - 21:07 Permalink
Bryan

In reply to by dishearted (not verified)

Hi there,

Hi there,
You can report anonymously to the SSA, either by contacting them by phone or sending a letter here:

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

Wed, 02/08/2017 - 10:15 Permalink

Add new comment

Find Out If I Qualify for Benefits!