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

Shirley (not verified)

In reply to by Leann (not verified)

I know this guy his name

I know this guy he gets sis for his back but works under table he works on cars he doses brakes tirers Motors towing picks rocks in field in the summer for this guy on the Davidson road

Tue, 02/07/2017 - 15:02 Permalink
Mary (not verified)

In reply to by Leann (not verified)

I was just looking into this

I was just looking into this for the same reason you stated. There is a truck driver I know receiving SSA and has been working for years and getting paid under the table to avoid loosing his SSA. It is unfortunate that we are not easily able to provide this information to someone that truly cares about people abusing the benefits and businesses willing to do this for people.

Tue, 02/07/2017 - 19:23 Permalink
Madina spratley (not verified)

In reply to by Leann (not verified)

U REPORT THAT THERES

U REPORT THAT THERES *** TRYING USE THAT LAME ***
BS TO TRAP U WIT
LIKE LIONEL WIT STK *** trying make sumbdy stuck on it so his let go brAin can use as his lil discount *** that he wish u REALLY was.
N the nba player Knows too many Ppl on the Ssa to lie N CUT corners They at the office helping him BUT they Scared to tale my letters

Mon, 02/20/2017 - 08:43 Permalink
Anonymous (not verified)

In reply to by Leann (not verified)

who do i call,what number

who do i call,what number because my nieghbor is doing that

Wed, 03/01/2017 - 12:24 Permalink
Q (not verified)

In reply to by Leann (not verified)

I want to know that too

I want to know that too because I know someone who is doing that and and even asked a caseworker not to report them because they need the money. They manipulate and take advantage of any free money they can. This unfair for those of us in disability who really follow guidelines and regulations

Wed, 03/08/2017 - 22:23 Permalink
Kderiti (not verified)

In reply to by Leann (not verified)

I know someone that was

I know someone that was reported for the same thing and they never found out who did it. I am in the state of Pennsylvania. They do not tell the person who reported them.

Fri, 03/17/2017 - 23:03 Permalink
Bryan

In reply to by Kderiti (not verified)

Hi there,

Hi there,
Thank you for sharing! It's true, the SSA does not give out the information that they have, if any, on the people who file the reports.

Mon, 03/20/2017 - 09:43 Permalink
michele (not verified)

In reply to by Leann (not verified)

there is no way to submit a

there is no way to submit a anonymous report. giving your name and email is not being anonymous.

Sat, 03/18/2017 - 19:47 Permalink
Bryan

In reply to by michele (not verified)

Hi Michele,

Hi Michele,
You may not have to fill that out, you can select the "anonymous and confidential" option when you fill out the form.

Mon, 03/20/2017 - 09:44 Permalink
John doe (not verified)

In reply to by Leann (not verified)

I know of someone who gets

I know of someone who gets disability and works under the table and sells drugs and been doing so four three years now. I get paid above the table at the same job and now he makes more them and I'm putting a stop to his abuse

Sun, 03/19/2017 - 18:59 Permalink
sandra (not verified)

In reply to by Leann (not verified)

My ex husband does that too.

My ex husband does that too. on disability works every day and gets paid under the table. just for a back injury he did to himself. he lives in a house paid for by his next ex and free at that. some people have no shame.

Fri, 03/24/2017 - 12:57 Permalink
Anonymous (not verified)

In reply to by Leann (not verified)

Report them to your ssi and

Report them to your ssi and tell them where they work and that they get paid under table and the boss and working will have to pay all back taxes

Sun, 03/26/2017 - 20:18 Permalink
Anonymous (not verified)

In reply to by Leann (not verified)

I know someone who is

I know someone who is collecting std and working 30 hrs a week and gets paid under the table

Wed, 03/29/2017 - 16:33 Permalink
Anonymous (not verified)

In reply to by Leann (not verified)

Someone who I know

Someone who I know is working on a farm for someone else and drawing disability and Social Security

Tue, 04/11/2017 - 12:35 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

Tue, 04/11/2017 - 13:43 Permalink
betty new (not verified)

In reply to by Leann (not verified)

This young man in his 30&#039

This young man in his 30's goes around bragging he gets bout 3000,a month bc he is supposed to be a wounded veteran who cant intergrade with society but has been helping peopk lift an move things an works fir richard welch of crossett Arkansas.if I could be out doing it I sure woukdnt be taking government money

Tue, 04/18/2017 - 15:44 Permalink
Eric

In reply to by betty new (not verified)

Hi Betty,

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

Mon, 04/24/2017 - 17:02 Permalink
Hector Torres (not verified)

In reply to by Leann (not verified)

I no some one that go to

I no some one that go to school full time and work under the table and recieve benifts

Thu, 04/20/2017 - 13:20 Permalink
Eric

In reply to by Hector Torres (not verified)

Hi Hector,

Hi Hector,

I would recommend speaking to the SSA if you suspect fraud.

Best Wishes,
Eric

Mon, 04/24/2017 - 17:01 Permalink
Rita (not verified)

In reply to by Leann (not verified)

I know a person getting

I know a person getting disability and working under the table who do I report this to

Wed, 04/26/2017 - 17:14 Permalink
Bryan

In reply to by Rita (not verified)

Hi Rita,

Hi Rita,
You may want to contact the SSA's Fraud Hotline regarding this, they can be reached at (800) 269-0271, or by sending a letter here:
Social Security Fraud Hotline
P.O. Box 17768
Baltimore, Maryland 21235

Thu, 04/27/2017 - 13:56 Permalink
Hadrian Pradier (not verified)

In reply to by Leann (not verified)

There is a man by the name of

There is a man that I know that lives near me that works. A full time job and gets paid under the table by another person. He is an alcoholic and travels from city to city with the other person to work. Hemocks and laughs at people that need the help from social security and stays drunk all day and night. His reason for being drunk is that the system owes him that right. One day he was so drunk he almost fell off a roof. He needs to be stopped

Mon, 05/08/2017 - 11:21 Permalink
Bryan

In reply to by Hadrian Pradier (not verified)

Hi there,

Hi there,
you may want to contact the SSA regarding this, you can contact them by calling them at 1-800-772-1213 or by sending a letter with the information here:
Social Security Fraud Hotline
P.O. Box 17768
Baltimore, Maryland 21235

Tue, 05/09/2017 - 12:53 Permalink
Unknown (not verified)

In reply to by Leann (not verified)

How long does it take for

How long does it take for the. To check in to this

Tue, 05/09/2017 - 12:40 Permalink
Bryan

In reply to by Unknown (not verified)

Hi there,

Hi there,
I really could not say, however the SSA does take fraud seriously and may investigate any legitimate claims of fraud.

Tue, 05/09/2017 - 12:51 Permalink
David (not verified)

In reply to by Leann (not verified)

I know someone my neighbor

I know someone my neighbor directly across the street from me who has often commented to be legally blind but can ride a riding mower to cut his own lawn but also gets compensated by many other neighbors in our community to cut their lawns as well as other jobs in our neighborhood. He has a service dog as well and is frequently seen walking down the street without his service dog. All of this of which I can prove. I am tired as well as many other neighbors of paying disibility benefits to people who continually fraud the system and continue to get away with it.

Mon, 05/22/2017 - 11:03 Permalink
Bryan

In reply to by David (not verified)

Hi David,

Hi David,
"Legally Blind" may include people who have some level of sight, while he can operate a ride-on mower, that may not mean he can do other types of work in a full-time capacity. Additionally, receiving disability doesn't mean that someone cannot have a job, though they may have restrictions on the work that they can perform.

Mon, 05/22/2017 - 11:21 Permalink
Connie (not verified)

In reply to by Leann (not verified)

I know someone that has a

I know someone that has a messed up back and on disability but wit pain medication can lifts 100 lbs. And work 9 to 5 w small breaks. I am afraid to because you just don't know if your right. I do feel if your disabled you shouldn't be able to do anything.

Sat, 05/27/2017 - 08:33 Permalink
Bryan

In reply to by Connie (not verified)

Hi Connie,

Hi Connie,
People who receive disability benefits are not by definition unable to work, however you may want to contact the SSA regarding this case.

Tue, 05/30/2017 - 16:29 Permalink
Tony harrison … (not verified)

In reply to by Leann (not verified)

Stephannie Simpson in going

Someone I know in going before the judge next month she is not disabled at all look at her face book pages she helps her boyfriend out with his business. Cleaning buildings at night if yall grant her wages u woyld be giving away money to a person that can hold a job an work like she is now under the table she think yall watching her now im the ex husband she drops my daughter off at my mons every night to go to work with his cleaning service do not grant this money to her her mons tried to get the same grant also years ago but you all caught her working an going about like as normal person an you all didnt grant her the money now her daughter is triying to get over ..her mons name is franchis freeman look her up..she goes in front of disability. Judge next month disability Boared stop her its people out her who deserves it but people like her an her moms makes it hard. ..

Sun, 05/28/2017 - 15:47 Permalink
Bryan

In reply to by Tony harrison … (not verified)

Hi Tony,

Hi Tony,
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

We are not affiliated with the SSA or the federal government.

Tue, 05/30/2017 - 09:14 Permalink
Terik bird (not verified)

In reply to by Leann (not verified)

Someone I know please has

Someone I know please has been using disability and said nothing is wrong with him he's just using the government

Sat, 06/17/2017 - 12:23 Permalink
Bryan

In reply to by Terik bird (not verified)

Hi there,

Hi there,
You may want to contact the SSA's fraud hotline about this, you can send them evidence of fraud here:
Social Security Fraud Hotline
P.O. Box 17768
Baltimore, Maryland 21235

Mon, 06/19/2017 - 09:17 Permalink
Roberta harper (not verified)

In reply to by Leann (not verified)

I know someone who is working

I know someone who is working and receive benefit call me

Sat, 06/17/2017 - 23:59 Permalink
Bryan

In reply to by Roberta harper (not verified)

Hi Roberta,

Hi Roberta,
You may want to send a letter to the SSA with any evidence of fraud, you can send the letter here:
Social Security Fraud Hotline
P.O. Box 17768
Baltimore, Maryland 21235

Mon, 06/19/2017 - 09:18 Permalink
jj (not verified)

In reply to by Leann (not verified)

That's my concern, too.

That's my concern, too. I'm quite friendly with a transgender person who was also anorexic. WAS. This person kicked that eating disorder several years ago . They work under the table, but very expensive clothing(i couldn't afford it), get money from their parents, and continue to live an EXTREMELY comfortable lifestyle. I work, pay taxes, and have children to take care of. It kinda bothers me that someone like this is getting money taken from me for taxes. This person is more than capable of work. Unfortunately, I can't report without making myself vulnerable, so that's the end of it.

Thu, 07/13/2017 - 17:02 Permalink
Rick Dooley (not verified)

In reply to by Leann (not verified)

I like to know this myself. I

I like to know this myself. I know a guy getting disability and under his mom's name delivers newspapers making good money. Then on tax returns he gets thousands of dollars back every year.

Mon, 07/17/2017 - 09:56 Permalink
Jennifer (not verified)

In reply to by Leann (not verified)

I know someone who is working

I know someone who is working full time & being paid under the table, no taxes & he also was ruled to pay zero child support because he draws AS I. I am the grandmother of this said child. He is working for a preferably large co. The business is located off of. I prefer to be kept anonymous as I fear this man. He is a convicted felon & he has already threatened our lives. There is a live video on his Facebook page of he & three other convicted felons firing several weapons. His name is . If you go to his page & scroll down, you as well can view this video. He is working & drawing a check from the government & I can take someone & show them where he shows up for work EVERY day. This is strenuous & physical work. He is in no way disabled. Thank you & may God Bless. Please help me to help my grandson receive his child support (by proving that is breaking the law by fraudulently drawing money from our government). I know that this has nothing to do with child support,however, if he is found guilty of fraud, that will help in my grandson receiving what he deserves.

Wed, 07/19/2017 - 15:21 Permalink
Bryan

In reply to by Jennifer (not verified)

Hi Jennifer,

Hi Jennifer,
You can report this anonymously to the SSA at the Social Security Administration Fraud Hotline at (800) 269-0271, or you can also send a letter without any identifying information here:
Social Security Fraud Hotline
P.O. Box 17768
Baltimore, Maryland 21235

Wed, 07/19/2017 - 15:24 Permalink
Anonymous (not verified)

In reply to by Leann (not verified)

is working

Someone I know is working full time and collecting checks address

Thu, 08/03/2017 - 16:54 Permalink
Bryan

In reply to by Anonymous (not verified)

Hi there,

Hi there,
You can report suspected fraud to the SSA by calling them on the Fraud Hotline at (800) 269-0271.

Fri, 08/04/2017 - 09:11 Permalink
Anonymous (not verified)

In reply to by Leann (not verified)

Family of three divorced,

Family of three divorced, adult son disabled. Son was receiving benefits in one state when mother took him out of state she had no job. So now they are both sudpected on welfare, and the son receiving he's disabilities period on top of this she is suing for some kind of spousal support, while"double-dipping" the system with the adult disabled son. Many reports were filed with the SocialOIG while in Pennsylvania, but how does one suggest an ongoing investigation in the new state?

Sat, 08/26/2017 - 10:31 Permalink

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