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
In reply to How do you report if someone by Karen (not verified)
Hi Karen,
Hi Karen,
You can leave an anonymous report by calling the SSA fraud hotline.
my neighbor told my other
my neighbor told my other neighbor he is collecting social security disability for a bad back. this 40 year old scraps. we have seen him put stoves and washers on his pick up . how long do you have to wait till someone really looks into this. he fixes cars and gets under them . nobody with a bad back can do this
In reply to my neighbor told my other by char (not verified)
Hi Char,
Hi Char,
If you suspect fraud, you can report it to the SSA anonymously!
I’ve reported this person on
I’ve reported this person on here several times and no one has responded yet
In reply to I’ve reported this person on by Karen warner (not verified)
Hi Karen,
Hi Karen,
We are not affiliated with the SSA or the Federal Government so you will need to contact the SSA if you suspect fraud. You can leave an anonymous tip on the SSA's fraud hotline or report it online with the SSA.
What if i know someone who is
What if i know someone who is on ssi and buying drugs with it how do i go about reporting it
In reply to What if i know someone who is by Starr (not verified)
Hi Starr,
Hi Starr,
If you go to the Office of the Inspector General's, you can submit and anonymous report for SSA fraud.
My sister just recently
My sister just recently passed away. Her boyfriend is supposedly on disability. I believe he is getting benefits but still works (maybe under the table money), he has made many comments to many people that he is in Real estate. I also believe that he is getting benefits for one or two of his children that are not living with him at all and he might be getting my sisters death benefits. How do I verify if he’s doing these things and how do I report it so it stops and the funds go either back to the state or the children. I have his personal info if needed ( name, address, phone, ss# and dob).
In reply to My sister just recently by Jeanette (not verified)
Hi Jeanette,
Hi Jeanette,
You can report suspected fraud anonymously online with the SSA or call their fraud hotline!
my mother is dead how can i
my mother is dead how can i stop her checks...
In reply to my mother is dead how can i by sonia (not verified)
Hi Sonia,
Hi Sonia,
Sorry for your loss. You'll need to report her death to the SSA! You can call them at 1-800-227-1213 or visit your local SSA office.
If the person uses a major
If the person uses a major part of their SSI benefits for drugs is that cause to lose them and also they work under the table?
In reply to If the person uses a major by Anonymous (not verified)
Hi There,
Hi There,
If those drugs are illegal and not prescribed by a doctor, then yes it could. Also not reporting income could also cause someone to lose their benefits.
My common law husband is
My common law husband is collecting disability checks. He had a accident at his job and has had 3 surgeries. One of the lower back and of his neck. He lied and acted like he could only pick up about 10 lbs. and that would be struggling. However, I have seen and recorded him cutting down trees, pick up logs of wood that must weight about 50 or more lbs. I have seen him pick up and roll a barrel full of tree branches that weight just about that much or more. He has at one time or another moved logs that weight more than his own weight! All of which he has told the doctor's, and me that he can't do. All of which the doctor's are believing in the fact that he can't do it!! I want to report it but I'm scared of the retaliation that I'll get if he finds out! It's not fair!
In reply to My common law husband is by Margie (not verified)
Hi Margie,
Hi Margie,
If you suspect fraud, you can anonymously report it to the SSA online!
What if you know somone that
What if you know somone that is responsible for 2 of there kids checks and she spends it on her self. Her trips to a hotels alone .movies all the time and eating out with out the kids and everything for her wedding not a cheap one ether and honeymoon cruz is planned to . its wrong can you report this
In reply to What if you know somone that by Yaya (not verified)
Hi Yaya,
Hi Yaya,
You can anonymously report fraud online or call the SSA's fraud hotline!
My ex was hungover drunk at
My ex was hungover drunk at the time he fell and injured himself. Now he has a lawyer helping him file a social security disability claim. Can he really be eligible?
In reply to My ex was hungover drunk at by Lana (not verified)
Hi Lana,
Hi Lana,
If his injury is so severe that he will be out of work for at least 12 months, then he could be eligible for SSDI benefits.
I know this girl who is using
I know this girl who is using a abandoned house to collect a cheque and lives in a house with 2 other people who collect also and they do nothing but smoke Meth everyday with a 1 year old child home inhaling this shit daily and CAS wont do a damn thing about it Windsor Ontario everyone its so stupid and they get away with it is there anything else i can do ??????????
Should I report a woman who
Should I report a woman who isn't disabled and is using illegal street drugs and is selling pills for an extra income that is on government assistance housing and collects food stamps off the state too??? She uses the state and knows how to play the state well and it isn't fair to the ones who really need the assistance..
In reply to Should I report a woman who by Trinity (not verified)
Not reporting additional
Not reporting additional income to the SSA could be considered fraud. You would need to have physical evidence of this when you file the report.
We have a neighbor who is
We have a neighbor who is drawing 100% VA comp plus SSDI. He is running a pawn shop, junk business and selling pot...What can be done?
In reply to We have a neighbor who is by Charlie515 (not verified)
Hi There,
Hi There,
You are able to work and still receive SSDI benefits, however if his monthly income exceeds a certain threshold, that could cause of trial work period.
If he is using his SSDI benefits on illegal drugs, that could constitute fraud. You can file an anonymous report on the SSA's website.
HOW DOES BRUNO CARTELLA OF
HOW DOES BRUNO CARTELLA OF 270 BAY 22 BROOKLYN NY RECIEVE SSI WHEN HE WORKS LIKE A DOG AND DONT EVEN LIVE AT THAT ADDRESS...HE ANGERS ME TO KNOW SOMEONE WHO WORKS OFF THE BOOKS DRIVES BIG DUMP TRUCKS CAN GET AWAY WITH THIS FOR YEARS...HIS MOTHER REPORTED HIM I AS WELL
In reply to HOW DOES BRUNO CARTELLA OF by LISA (not verified)
Hi Lisa,
Hi Lisa,
You are able to report individuals anonymously on the SSA website.
Chris M Patalano
Chris M Patalano
Is is a fraud! He has no disability! Scamming the system!
Lives in Boca Raton Fl
See him surfing, running, and many other activities! He has no back issues! Total scam on the systems.
In reply to Chris M Patalano by Yuvi (not verified)
Hi Yuvi,
Hi Yuvi,
If you suspect fraud, you can report it to the SSA!
Does someone getting
Does someone getting disablity for there child have to report her live in boyfriends income?
In reply to Does someone getting by John (not verified)
Hi,
Hi,
Social Security Disability benefits are based on the ability of the individual to work and not their income. However, if you would like more information about a specific case, I would contact your local SSA office.
Is there a way to email a
Is there a way to email a report SSDI fraud
In reply to Is there a way to email a by Michelle (not verified)
Hi Michelle,
Hi Michelle,
You can report SSDI fraud online on the OIG's website.
What if someone is on social
What if someone is on social security and went to jail for buy drugs, will they lose there social security
In reply to What if someone is on social by Sue (not verified)
Hi Sue,
Hi Sue,
If you are incarcerated for longer than a month after being convicted, then your benefits will be stopped.
I know someone who is running
I know someone who is running a bicycle shop out of his garage. The first year he only made a little money but last year he said he made big bucks and is planning on opening the shop on Tues, Thurs, and Sat. this summer. He has never reported any of this or how much he has made to SSD. He also has a horse trailer in front of his house filled with old bikes he has collected and plans to fix up! Is this fraud?
In reply to I know someone who is running by Annoymous (not verified)
Hi There,
Hi There,
You are able to work and collect SSD benefits. However, if he is not reporting income to the SSA, that could be considered fraud.
My girl friend is
My girl friend is misappropriating my funds .... How can I find a new person to take care of me?
In reply to My girl friend is by Anonymous (not verified)
Hi There,
Hi There,
If you wish to have a new representative payee, you will need to schedule an appointment at your local SSA office and a representative from there can assign you a new one.
Hey, I have a son who tried
Hey, I have a son who tried to get disability for aspergers but they denied him and told him he was too high functioning and, in fact, he had been holding down a job for six months, but he doesn't like to work.
My daughter's new boyfriend started hanging around last year and my son (25) found out that he was getting disability for PTSD and Anxiety based on childhood trauma and abuse.
My son quizzed the heck out of my daughter's boyfriend and all of the sudden my son started having anxiety attacks whenever he went to work. He has hired an attorney, gone to the hospital to document these attacks, gotten a therapist to document his PTSD from childhood trauma (really? where was I?!) and now is going to court next week for the approval hearing.
Meanwhile, I hear that social security is going bankrupt due to the number of people taking SSD and that neither program will be able to pay full benefits in a few years, certainly not by the time I retire.
Is there anything to be done in these situations?
Who holds the evaluators accountable for measurable outcome?
(The boyfriend, by the way, was allowed to move into my house but under the understanding that he go to therapy and figure out how to get a job.) It's been a year and a half and he is off SSD and works 40 hours a week and loves it! Saved someone's retirement 750.00 a month!!
Wish I could do something about my son-- now he and his wife are having a baby.
In reply to Hey, I have a son who tried by concerned mom (not verified)
Hi There,
Hi There,
You can report fraud to the SSA, and can do it anonymously online!
I know someone who collects
I know someone who collects SSI and disability for autism. But he uses the money to buy marijuana. Is that illegal and should I report it. I also live in a state that is not legal on any level.
In reply to I know someone who collects by Rachael (not verified)
Hi,
Hi,
Using SSI/Disability money for any illegal activity is considered fraud and you can report it anonymously on the SSA website.
What if an acquaintance just
What if an acquaintance just straight up told me that they are getting benefits fraudulently? He told me how he and his lawyer pulled it off. Won't that just be his word against mine and a waste of time to report? Or should I just report the guy? A lot of questions, I know.
In reply to What if an acquaintance just by Nathaniel (not verified)
Hi,
Hi,
You are able to report them anonymously on the SSA website and they will investigate from there.
If you are certain that
If you are certain that someone is collecting disability benefits under a Social Security program, it can be reported anonymously to the Social Security Administration. It is your duty to do so. The fraud hotline is 800-269-0271.
Also, on this blog page, feel free to post his/her full name and city, state. You don't have to provide your own name.
In reply to If you are certain that by Danny (not verified)
Hi Danny,
Hi Danny,
Great tip about calling the fraud hotline & that it can be done anonymously!
But, we are not affiliated with the Social Security Administration (SSA) or the federal government, so fraud is not something we handle. Posting someone's name or information is here is not reporting it to the SSA. Be sure to call 800-269-0271 to report suspected fraud!
What if the payee of a childs
What if the payee of a childs benifits are being miss used and the payee has been giving her money to boyfriend (who also lives there ,)for drugs and gambling ,and from what he tells me pays more attention to him ,i know for a fact hes only there using her for the money. ,she even gives him the atm card to withdraw money. The litlle girl is seriously disable.and the payee is her grandmother who her self is slightly disabled ,
In reply to What if the payee of a childs by Carol (not verified)
Hi Carol,
Hi Carol,
If you suspect fraud, you are able to anonymously report them on the SSA website.
If someone can paint, mow
If someone can paint, mow grass, run a string trimmer, and work like anyone else and get benefits for disability is this fraud?
In reply to If someone can paint, mow by Marlin22 (not verified)
Hi There,
Hi There,
That is not necessarily fraud, as one can get paid for some work and still receive SSDI benefits at the same time.
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