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

Eric

In reply to by Mike (not verified)

Hi Mike,

Hi Mike,

I am so sorry to hear about that. If your son wants to get his representative payee, he would have to schedule an appointment at his local SSA office to do so.

Wed, 04/04/2018 - 15:46 Permalink
MP (not verified)

I know of a whole business

I know of a whole business who employs folks on disability, pays them 20 hrs on the books and then pays them their other 30 hours off the books from another business he has, in cash. How do I report this?

Mon, 04/09/2018 - 09:40 Permalink
Michelle (not verified)

I who someone getting

I who someone getting disability for "knee & back injury", but works full time. I have seen her run and she takes the stairs daily. If she had these disabilities, she would not be physically able to do the job. There doesn't seem to be anything physically wrong with her, but she has a placard. Isn't there supposed to be checks and balances to disability?

Wed, 04/11/2018 - 17:41 Permalink
A.R.F. (not verified)

I just found out someone is

I just found out someone is currently using my address claiming to be separated from spouse for a higher benefit amount. And has been for approx. 4 years. Also, receives benefits in Illinois, because we give a higher benefit amount than the state in which beneficiary actually resides. How do i go about reporting this?

Mon, 04/16/2018 - 12:28 Permalink
rsg

In reply to by A.R.F. (not verified)

Hi A.R.F.,

Hi A.R.F.,

You should contact the SSA if you suspect fraud. You can call them at 1-800-772-1213 or report online.

Mon, 04/16/2018 - 16:42 Permalink
deborah (not verified)

my brother is playing crazy

my brother is playing crazy to get his disability check and is getting high with every dollar. is their a way you can drug test him cause he's fraudrently getting this disability check by playing crazy their is nothing wrong with him!!! he goes to see a mental doctor to get meds to sell to the drug dealers on the corners.please help me with any answers how too stop him from over doseing himself.

Tue, 04/17/2018 - 09:38 Permalink
rsg

In reply to by deborah (not verified)

Hi Deborah,

Hi Deborah,

We are not affiliated with the SSA. But you can contact the SSA to report fraud at 1-800-772-1213.

Tue, 04/17/2018 - 16:09 Permalink
Pat Fallen (not verified)

What if someone is using and

What if someone is using and selling drug with there benfits

Wed, 04/18/2018 - 11:35 Permalink
Eric

In reply to by Pat Fallen (not verified)

Hi Pat,

Hi Pat,

If someone is using their Social Security benefits for illegal drugs, that could constitute as fraud.

Wed, 04/18/2018 - 17:03 Permalink
Lily (not verified)

A person I know truly is

A person I know truly is disabled. But she is drawing more on her disability than she should because she claims she is not married. But she has been married for 10+ years. How do I expose this without her knowing?

Thu, 04/19/2018 - 16:27 Permalink
Lindsey (not verified)

My mother was my payee for

My mother was my payee for quite some time and while she was i was homeless had no food. Lived in cars and on friends couches. How do i get my mother in trouble for making me live in the conditions i was living in while she used MY money for personal gain.

Tue, 04/24/2018 - 02:26 Permalink
Eric

In reply to by Lindsey (not verified)

Hi Lindsey,

Hi Lindsey,

I am so sorry to hear that. I would recommend speaking with someone at the SSA regarding that. You can call them at 1-800-772-1213.

Tue, 04/24/2018 - 16:49 Permalink
Kim (not verified)

How can you report the person

How can you report the person who walks with a can and then climbs a small hill to do her yard work bending over.
Would gladly insert picture if I could

Wed, 05/02/2018 - 08:55 Permalink
Eric

In reply to by Kim (not verified)

Hi Kim,

Hi Kim,

While it may seem like that person may not look like she could qualify for Social Security benefits, that alone does not constitute as SS fraud.

Thu, 05/03/2018 - 15:20 Permalink
Anonymous (not verified)

How can you change the person

How can you change the person who recieves ssi for a child.

Wed, 05/02/2018 - 13:16 Permalink
Matt miller (not verified)

I know someone on disability

I know someone on disability who buys and sales stuff on a Facebook store making really good money but still collects disability

Wed, 05/09/2018 - 06:33 Permalink
Carrie (not verified)

My father lives alone and has

My father lives alone and has dementia. He has been receiving a SS check (almost $2k/m) for a couple of years. His neighbors have been taking advantage of his “forgetfulness” and taking his debit card the day his benefits are deposited. By the 3rd day he is already broke. As a result, his utilities have been turned off on several occasions because he doesn’t have the money to pay the bill when it comes in. The same for his cable and internet. I’ve gone to the police a couple of times, but they can’t do anything because they said he gave them permission to use his card. This has been going on far too long and I need it to stop. My family can’t afford to keep paying his bills and groceries, and dad refuses to move in with anyone.

Any advice?

Thank you,
Carrie

Mon, 05/14/2018 - 15:27 Permalink
Eric

In reply to by Carrie (not verified)

Hi Carrie,

Hi Carrie,

I am so sorry to hear that. I would recommend notifying the SSA right away to see what next steps you can take.

Thu, 05/17/2018 - 11:57 Permalink
Aaka (not verified)

Good Morning. I know someone

Good Morning. I know someone whi has been using the system a long time and has even helped others do the same. I also know she has falsely reported extra income she gets for many years Shes never reported the extra 750 dollars she some how still gets in child support. She says its because state and federal are seperate and never cashes her checks at the bank because she is afraid SSA will find out. Im not sure is she gets disability now or just SSI. She filed for her deceased husbands check only days after he passed to make sure no one else, like his son for instance, got his check, even though she had been seperated from him for nearly 10 years. She hoped she was going to get his check and hers. She was also the o e who helped him get on a "check". There is nothing wrong with this woman mentally except the fact she has abused this her whole life to take drugs and now sees doctors and makes fake claims in ers just to get different pain medications. She has been insitutionalized several times due to her " break downs" . Simply put, she's used the system and mistreated her kids their entire lives because she partied with it and is no hooked on pills and uses the checks and the child support to fuel her habit. Moves place to place so she doesnt actually have to take care or pay for anything her self. How do I report to have her income reevaluated? I cant actually prove much else because shes done this too long but how can I at least report her for not disclosing her only "income". This is a very undeserving person who has done nothing but lie her way through the system since the early 90s.

Thu, 05/17/2018 - 05:58 Permalink
rsg

In reply to by Aaka (not verified)

Hi Aaka,

Hi Aaka,

If you suspect fraud you should report it to the SSA. You can do that online or you can call them a 1-800-772-1213.

Thu, 05/17/2018 - 15:15 Permalink
Anonymous (not verified)

My boyfriends brother gets

My boyfriends brother gets disability and we have caught him with illegal drugs I would like to know what I could do to report him and if social security would do anything about it

Thu, 05/17/2018 - 09:17 Permalink
Eric

In reply to by Anonymous (not verified)

Hi There,

Hi There,

You could report it to the SSA fraud hotline and they would investigate the matter.

Thu, 05/17/2018 - 11:35 Permalink
Patricia (not verified)

Can an individual receive

Can an individual receive SSDI and live in Mexico? Would that be considered a Fraud living in a foreign country even though he is disabled?

Sun, 05/20/2018 - 05:45 Permalink
Eric

In reply to by Patricia (not verified)

Hi Patricia,

Hi Patricia,

Yes, it is possible for U.S. citizens to receive SSDI benefits if they live in a foreign country. However, they cannot become a citizen of that country and receive benefits from the United States Social Security Administration.

Mon, 05/21/2018 - 17:00 Permalink
Anonymous (not verified)

Hi, I have a family member

Hi, I have a family member who receives disability benefits because of a quadruple bypass they had a few years back and they aren't allowed to work. Yet, they work a full time job under the table, when confronted about this he said he was "helping out" and not getting paid. If i do report this, can i keep it anonymous? I have various different photographs and witnesses of him performing the job. The employer, his son, is well aware of his disability. Can I report the both of them?

Wed, 05/23/2018 - 15:51 Permalink
rsg

In reply to by Anonymous (not verified)

Hi There,

Hi There,

If you suspect fraud, you can report it to the SSA and have the option of being anonymous.

Wed, 05/23/2018 - 17:02 Permalink
Angela T. (not verified)

I was wondering, if you

I was wondering, if you report someone for ssdf, how long does the investigation actually take?

Sun, 06/10/2018 - 08:33 Permalink
Eric

In reply to by Angela T. (not verified)

Hi Angela,

Hi Angela,

That's a great question, but unfortunately there isn't a definitive answer since every investigation is different.

Tue, 06/12/2018 - 15:56 Permalink
Linda (not verified)

I know someone that is

I know someone that is working under the table as a caregiver and is Appling to get the state to pay her for caregiving yet collects General relief and disability for a bad back she claims

Wed, 06/13/2018 - 02:51 Permalink
Fallon (not verified)

My boyfriend soon to be ex is

My boyfriend soon to be ex is on ssi I'm supposed to be his payee however he takes the bank card withdrawals all the money even some of mine and misuses it when I tried to confront him he gets very violent he does have a mental condition which is why he can't be his own payee but I don't want to be a part of this and don't feel safe anymore, but was told I can't just not be his payee?! What to do?

Fri, 06/15/2018 - 22:42 Permalink
rsg

In reply to by Fallon (not verified)

Hi Fallon,

Hi Fallon,

You can contact the SSA about switching payee's. They can appoint someone new if need be.

Mon, 06/18/2018 - 16:23 Permalink
Concerned neighbor (not verified)

I use to see a nurse come in

I use to see a nurse come in to take care an elderly lady a couple houses down from my neighborhood and park in the handicap space designated for the elderly lady. It's been quite a long time since I have seen the nurse or any activity in my neighbor's home. I have noticed lights seem to turn on and off at the same time every day like if they were controlled by a timer. I have seen family members stop by monthly just to pick up mail and when I asked about my neighbor, they were very vague. I think that my neighbor has passed away but unfortunately the family is still collected the check. I hate to make these strong accusations which is why I would like to know what I can do.

Mon, 06/18/2018 - 12:32 Permalink
rsg

In reply to by Concerned neighbor (not verified)

Hi Concerned Neighbor,

Hi Concerned Neighbor,

If you suspect fraud you should contact the SSA, it can be anonymous. You can do it online.

Mon, 06/18/2018 - 16:21 Permalink
Rhythmicraven (not verified)

I know for a fact of someone

I know for a fact of someone using there benefit money solely to buy illegal drugs do I report them and how

Mon, 06/18/2018 - 21:38 Permalink
Arah (not verified)

Generally, people getting

Generally, people getting paid disability aren’t allowed to work full time, correct?

Tue, 06/19/2018 - 12:58 Permalink
Eric

In reply to by Arah (not verified)

Hi Arah,

Hi Arah,

The number of hours don't actually matter, it's all about how much they make in a month. Usually if they work full time, they won't be able to qualify for SSD.

Tue, 06/19/2018 - 16:44 Permalink
jim (not verified)

i know of a dirt bag working

i know of a dirt bag working full time under the table and scamming disability,he even gets a free phone some how!!!!!!

Thu, 06/28/2018 - 16:40 Permalink
rsg

In reply to by jim (not verified)

Hi Jim,

Hi Jim,

If you suspect fraud, you should contact the SSA. Their number is 1-800-772-1213.

Thu, 06/28/2018 - 17:20 Permalink
Sasha (not verified)

I know 3 people who have ssi

I know 3 people who have ssi and they are ling they getting paid full time payments and they have fake healthcare providers at home from their family and they taking their money instead they took 100% disability but they are in very good health and when the people coming from health care company they’re laying on bed and saying that they are blind

Thu, 07/05/2018 - 06:37 Permalink
rsg

In reply to by Sasha (not verified)

Hi Sasha,

Hi Sasha,

If you suspect fraud you should contact the SSA. Their number is 1-800-772-1213 or you can report it online.

Thu, 07/05/2018 - 16:17 Permalink
Ssgotti (not verified)

I k ow someone who receives

I k ow someone who receives ssi and works a full time job and he hasn’t been caught yet I wanna report him so he can stop giving his mother his money to get high off drugs but I don’t want him or her to know I’m the one that reported him

Fri, 07/06/2018 - 10:16 Permalink
BOB (not verified)

Hi ,

Hi ,

My Uncle Receives SS Disability , and he works . His employer pays him part of his check regular way , and the rest in Cash Under the Table , so he dosn't get caught for working to much !!

Wed, 07/18/2018 - 21:54 Permalink

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