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

Leann (not verified)

What if I know someone who

What if I know someone who is working a full time job just started and is also on disability but gets paid under the table but how do I keep my report anonymous

Fri, 12/04/2015 - 21:33 Permalink
Deanna

In reply to by Leann (not verified)

Hi Leann,

Hi Leann,
You cannot keep your report anonymous. You need to give your own SS # to report someone for disability fraud.

Tue, 12/08/2015 - 16:20 Permalink
betty johmson (not verified)

In reply to by Deanna

thats why no one will report

thats why no one will report some one that is working under the table for we dont want that person to know for i know some one that is doing just that i want to report her but dont want her to know who reported her i dont mine yal knowing but dont want her to know

Wed, 12/30/2015 - 09:56 Permalink
Deanna

In reply to by betty johmson (not verified)

Hi Betty,

Hi Betty,
The person will NOT be notified of who reported them, but if the SSA investigates the fraud and sees that it's a false accusation, they need to know who filed the bogus claim.

Wed, 12/30/2015 - 10:08 Permalink
John (not verified)

In reply to by Deanna

What if everyone involved

What if everyone involved with the person working for cash lies and covers up for them.

Sun, 02/28/2016 - 14:53 Permalink
celiavelasquez (not verified)

In reply to by John (not verified)

Iwas married 33years

Iwas married 33years tohusband he work contruction from 1984to2012hehad a car accident in 2012 recieves ssidiabilitycontinues to work

Thu, 08/25/2016 - 13:41 Permalink
marie (not verified)

In reply to by Bryan

my boyfriend is currently in

my boyfriend is currently in jail but right before he was arrested he suspesioned he was drawing a check and that it was being hid from him by his parents and cause of certain reasons I think he is right but I think maybe he has someone who over sees his money maybe been proven incompetent. I think he has a mental disability and don't understand things but is onto something . what can I do to find out if this is true and what can I do to have something done about it . I also think he owned property as well and is not aware of it I think that his parents is basically living off of him and that is wrong and if that is the case something needs to be done I want to help him I feel that he needs someone that will help him he has asked me if I will help him

Fri, 12/16/2016 - 22:09 Permalink
Bryan

In reply to by marie (not verified)

Hi Marie,

Hi Marie,
Your boyfriend may be able to contact the SSA and have the assign a new payee for him, so that he might be able to use those benefits.

Mon, 12/19/2016 - 10:01 Permalink
Kevin (not verified)

In reply to by marie (not verified)

I have a friend who

I have a friend who consistently is in and out of jail and has been incarcerated now since 7/06/2017..it is not quite yet 30 days..but his last incarceration he never reported and received funds post 30 days.
Its not fair and he has not reported this current repeat stint that is now considered

Sat, 07/29/2017 - 13:41 Permalink
Bryan

In reply to by Kevin (not verified)

Hi there,

Hi there,
You may want to contact the SSA regarding this, you can contact them at 1-800-772-1213

Mon, 07/31/2017 - 08:39 Permalink
Eric

In reply to by Miie (not verified)

Hi Mike,

Hi Mike,

You are correct. SSA payments are paused if you are incarcerated, but they can be resumed once released.

Tue, 01/02/2018 - 09:32 Permalink
Anonymous (not verified)

In reply to by celiavelasquez (not verified)

I kno Sue and Mark Barvard of

I kno someone is working and getting food stamps and disability

Tue, 04/11/2017 - 12:29 Permalink
Bryan

In reply to by Anonymous (not verified)

HI there,

HI there,
you may want to contact the SSA regarding this, you can call them at 1-800-772-1213

Tue, 04/11/2017 - 13:42 Permalink
Father (not verified)

In reply to by Bryan

The mother is receiving SSI

The mother is receiving SSI benefits for her children and she works full time with a job paying over $40,000 a year. She receive $900 a month child support for them and food stamps. How can I get documentation from SSI to prove this in court? And will her income effect her SSI benefits? Because she didn't report her raise

Sun, 05/07/2017 - 18:45 Permalink
Bryan

In reply to by Father (not verified)

Hi there,

Hi there,
Her income may affect her child's SSI benefits as the SSA does determine benefits based off of income. You may want to contact the SSA for some more information about your children's benefits, you can call them at 1-800-772-1213.

Tue, 05/09/2017 - 12:48 Permalink
Anonymous (not verified)

In reply to by Anonymous (not verified)

You can work and still get

You can work and still get Food Stamps. I dont know why people think you need to be unemployed for them.

Thu, 08/10/2017 - 02:00 Permalink
Me (not verified)

In reply to by Anonymous (not verified)

They said they are working,

They said they are working, getting food stamps and SSI/SSD.

There is a difference between SSI and SSD.

Thu, 09/21/2017 - 10:39 Permalink
Bryan

In reply to by Me (not verified)

HI there,

HI there,
They may still be able to receive those benefits while working, however if you suspect fraud you may want to send a letter to the SSA here:
Social Security Fraud Hotline
P.O. Box 17768
Baltimore, Maryland 21235

Thu, 09/21/2017 - 14:31 Permalink
Susie Walker (not verified)

In reply to by Anonymous (not verified)

I know someone that receives

I know someone that receives SSD but works under the table. This allows her to receive Medicaid, food stamps and other benefits she shouldn’t be receiving but her true income isn’t reported.

Fri, 07/05/2019 - 07:21 Permalink
rsg

In reply to by Susie Walker (not verified)

Hi Susie,

Hi Susie,

If you suspect fraud, you can report it to the SSA! There is an anonymous online if needed.

Mon, 07/08/2019 - 16:58 Permalink
Nancy (not verified)

In reply to by rsg

What is the anonymous hotline

What is the anonymous hotline? Do you have the link?

Tue, 09/17/2019 - 09:52 Permalink
Edward (not verified)

In reply to by celiavelasquez (not verified)

My mother has dual

My mother has dual citizenship and she passed away ten years ago and I still continue to receive her social security payment in our joint bank account over ten years.

Tue, 06/25/2019 - 11:08 Permalink
rsg

In reply to by Edward (not verified)

Hi Edward,

Hi Edward,

We are not affiliated with the SSA or the federal government. You'd have to report her death to the SSA.

Wed, 06/26/2019 - 16:35 Permalink
Travis (not verified)

In reply to by John (not verified)

Well the family is petrified

Well the family is petrified of the person in question, and may stick up for them. But im going to pursue this clam.

Thu, 05/11/2017 - 08:42 Permalink
Bryan

In reply to by Travis (not verified)

Hi Travis,

Hi Travis,
That's great! You can get started by calling the Social Security Fraud Hotline at 1-800-269-0271.

Thu, 05/11/2017 - 09:13 Permalink
mod man (not verified)

In reply to by Deanna

I think this is BS. Because

I think this is BS. Because we report something that you need to look into. Because we know for a fact that it's happening. You want to know our info!

Sun, 09/25/2016 - 18:30 Permalink
John (not verified)

In reply to by Bryan

Don't waist your time

Don't waist your time complaining to Brian,all he keeps saying is they are not affiliated with SSA.Then tell us who to contact.Our gov't programs are directed to low life people,not the hard working people.They don't care and will never check on anyone.People who work two jobs and overtime just to make ends meet,while watching these so called disabled people work under the table,or sit at home watching TV all day.I am ashamed to be part of such a corrupt country.

Thu, 10/20/2016 - 14:01 Permalink
Bryan

In reply to by John (not verified)

Hi John,

Hi John,
You can contact the SSA here:
1-800-772-1213
or by going to their site at www.ssa.gov
Alternately, you can contact your local SSA office.
We aren't able to investigate any reports of fraud because we are not affiliated with the Social Security Administration or the federal government in any capacity.

Fri, 10/21/2016 - 11:05 Permalink
Anonymous (not verified)

In reply to by John (not verified)

I agree! It is all very

I agree! It is all very upsetting! I have a brother who is VERY capable of working! He is actually in MUCH better shape than I am! He collects SSI Disability and frequently works as a carpet cleaner under the table!Yet if I report him and THEY simply do not REALLY investigate, I go to prison! Think I will just let him KEEP screwing the system!

Tue, 12/06/2016 - 20:56 Permalink
Bryan

In reply to by Anonymous (not verified)

Hi there,

Hi there,
The SSA may not go after people who report fraud in good faith. You can also report to them anonymously by sending a letter here:
Social Security Fraud Hotline
P.O. Box 17768
Baltimore, Maryland 21235

Wed, 12/07/2016 - 14:15 Permalink
Dagmar. Mcclure (not verified)

In reply to by Bryan

I was told that a ex cop

I was told that a ex cop reported someone now will they just take his word for it or does he need proof to do this because the person had brain cancer and only gas three months or so to live I'm concerned about this

Fri, 02/10/2017 - 06:48 Permalink
Bryan

In reply to by Dagmar. Mcclure (not verified)

Hi Dagmar,

Hi Dagmar,
The SSA may only investigate based off the claims that were made, not who made them, and they may not change this person's benefits based on an accusation.

Fri, 02/10/2017 - 09:51 Permalink
Lisa (not verified)

In reply to by Anonymous (not verified)

That's the problem they

That's the problem they get away with it because no one reports them I'm a single mother of a10 year old I work a physically hard job night shift because I cannot afford a babysitter I work 12AMto8Am8-10days straight for 7-11no overtime The man that lives down stairs has known my husband for over 40years this man also molested my husband's step daughter since she was 12 he is a pedifile he dies everyone he can steals tools anything from anyone he also sells prescription medication hehas prostitute's in and out is on SSI and works for 30 dollars an hour under the table I struggle so hard life is not fair l believe in karma but sometimes it needs a little push I wish I knew how to turn him in He belongs in prison

Fri, 01/13/2017 - 10:10 Permalink
Anonymous (not verified)

In reply to by Anonymous (not verified)

Is there a reward for calling

Is there a reward for calling reports that ARE found true

Fri, 04/28/2017 - 11:13 Permalink
A DISABLED MAN (not verified)

In reply to by Anonymous (not verified)

You seem to be right even

You seem to be right even when they are caught,,,,,, nothing. Let's say a person is a uber driver and they get involved in a accident when collecting disability is it not obvious that the person is straight out liar and scamming the system

Mon, 05/08/2017 - 12:32 Permalink
Bryan

In reply to by A DISABLED MAN (not verified)

Hi there, they may not be

Hi there, they may not be considered to be "scamming the system", as it is possible to work while collecting disability, though there are some restrictions.

Mon, 05/08/2017 - 13:13 Permalink
Dug (not verified)

In reply to by John (not verified)

I dont appreciate your

I dont appreciate your comment. Youre obviously a low life scumbag to make a comment such as you did. I am waiting on my railroad disability to be approved and have been for over 6 months now, meaning i cant goto a dentist, i cant get prescriptions, i cant visit a doctor, i was denied Obama care because i have no income, Social Security turne dme away because i worked for the railroad for 25 years prior to becoming disabled. Not once in my life have i drawn unemployment, or any other type of assistance. I had 3 crushed disks in my neck. One of which was surgically removed and replaced with an insert and a titanium plate, my shoulder was also destroyed requiring surgery to put it back together as well as a titanimum plate to hold everything in place, not to mention the nerve damage, in 2008 a portion of my left lung was removed resulting in COPD, but the biggest set back was the trauma to my head and the resulting brain injury. Even though my benefits will be paid via railroad disability not social security your statement is a false statement. Although there are many fraudsters on disability the majority are not, nor are they low lifes as you stated.

Fri, 06/23/2017 - 02:36 Permalink
Missy (not verified)

In reply to by John (not verified)

agreed, work under the table

agreed, work under the table or sit home all day and sleep and then be up all night smoking crack with their 4 kids who all have different mommas who they receive money for some of them too and then treat their kids like crap and have had cys called on them yet they still have them and no drug test has been given. I see all of this with my own eyes and work a decent full time job and take care of my kids with no help because I make too much money. I hate how people get away with the system. I don't care if he has a mental disorder or not, why does he get to sit there and spend the tax payers money on crack and drink beer everyday, thats what i'd like to know. and his old lady works in a nursing home making as much as I do and takes care of patients all hi'd up. and they get food stamps, how does this kind of stuff happen and no one does anything about it. they just got evicted from their last place too i think because the neighbors were tired of hearing how they treat the kids and his yelling and drinking all while sitting and collecting a check. the landlord lived next door.

Wed, 08/30/2017 - 08:31 Permalink
Bryan

In reply to by Kevin Hack (not verified)

Hi Kevin,

Hi Kevin,
We really could not say as we are not affiliated with the SSA and as such have no power to investigate any alleged fraud.

Mon, 10/03/2016 - 10:06 Permalink
Theresa McCoy (not verified)

In reply to by Deanna

My husband and was reported

My husband and was reported for fraud and the case worker told him who reported him, his ex wife! I heard this with my own ears.

Tue, 03/14/2017 - 17:36 Permalink

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