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

Bryan

In reply to by Janie (not verified)

Hi Janie,

Hi Janie,
You can send a report about suspected fraud to the to the SSA at this address:
Social Security Fraud Hotline
P.O. Box 17768
Baltimore, Maryland 21235

Thu, 10/05/2017 - 09:07 Permalink
Cheree (not verified)

Hi, i have questions for a

Hi, i have questions for a concern. I know a woman that is receiving social security for a child that she kicked out and doesn’t live with her and she is using the money for her own personal self. Isn’t that a crime ? And wrong ?

Wed, 10/04/2017 - 20:15 Permalink
Bryan

In reply to by Cheree (not verified)

Hi Cheree,

Hi Cheree,
If you suspect fraud, you may want to report it to the SSA at the toll-free Social Security Administration Fraud Hotline at (800) 269-0271.

Thu, 10/05/2017 - 09:06 Permalink
Questions to answer (not verified)

So the Social Security

So the Social Security Administration cannot tell the person you reported who reported because I want to remain anonymous to the person I'm telling on but I'm okay with Social Security knowing who I am as long as they don't give the information out. This person will retaliate on me.

Fri, 10/06/2017 - 13:15 Permalink
Melissa Kizer (not verified)

Can a person lose their

Can a person lose their disability if they are not going to see the doctor not taking their meds and has not reported that he got married and is living with that person. Because he had said he is living alone

Sat, 10/07/2017 - 14:48 Permalink
Bryan

In reply to by Melissa Kizer (not verified)

Hi Melissa,

Hi Melissa,
Those actions may be prohibited by the SSA, you may want to contact them regarding this.

Mon, 10/09/2017 - 09:21 Permalink
Kathy (not verified)

What if someone receiving ssi

What if someone receiving ssi and has been working for about 7 months gets paid with a personal check she is making 1200 a month and receives ssi

Sun, 10/08/2017 - 09:23 Permalink
Bryan

In reply to by Kathy (not verified)

HI Kathy,

HI Kathy,
It's possible to work while receiving disability benefits, however it's a good idea to report income to the SSA.

Mon, 10/09/2017 - 09:24 Permalink
Roger (not verified)

I have a neighbor who has

I have a neighbor who has supposedly had hip and back surgery. He is receiving disability. I have medical limitations and work everyday. He is supposedly in so much pain, but pushes a lawnmower like he's running a race. He has been on a rooftop working. He has been under a house doing plumbing. He also walks about three blocks every morning working odd jobs for a man under the table.

Mon, 10/09/2017 - 08:17 Permalink
Eric

In reply to by Roger (not verified)

Hi Roger,

Hi Roger,

You may want to report any suspected fraud to the SSA at the toll-free Social Security Administration Fraud Hotline at (800) 269-0271.

Tue, 10/10/2017 - 09:04 Permalink
Maryann (not verified)

A person is collecting social

A person is collecting social security with validity however a relative is signing & cashing/ depositing the checks into their account via the ATM. The is no letter on file for the relative to do this. It's an Aunt in a wheelchair and her nephew is the one signing & depositing the check in his account. Her name is not on the account. The bank has a policy for a letter to be on file however, there isn't one.

Wed, 10/11/2017 - 14:59 Permalink
Bryan

In reply to by Maryann (not verified)

Hi Maryann,

Hi Maryann,
That doesn't sound good! You may want to contact the SSA regarding this, you can report this to them by contacting the toll-free Social Security Administration Fraud Hotline at (800) 269-0271.

Thu, 10/12/2017 - 09:03 Permalink
Me (not verified)

I want to know if drug uses a

I want to know if drug uses a disability

Wed, 10/11/2017 - 15:43 Permalink
Eric

In reply to by Me (not verified)

Hi There,

Hi There,

It is not possible at this point in time to receive Social Security Disability benefits based solely on Drug Addiction. The SSA will not grant disability benefits to people with disabilities that have been caused or worsened by addiction.

Thu, 10/12/2017 - 09:36 Permalink
Tasha Clark (not verified)

In reply to by Eric

So if he receives disability

So if he receives disability for being mental put sees no doctor or anything pertaining his illness, and he has a drug addiction should he still be getting Social Security

Fri, 10/13/2017 - 11:57 Permalink
Eric

In reply to by Tasha Clark (not verified)

Hi Tasha,

Hi Tasha,

In some cases, those with a mental illness are able to receive Social Security.

Mon, 10/16/2017 - 09:06 Permalink
Pattie (not verified)

My neighbor had a back injury

My neighbor had a back injury and he was unable to work. Now, he's outside doing yard work all the time. He's doing things he'd never be able. To do if he had a bad back. What happened to the agents that used to watch people to prevent fraud, cuz this guy is definitely doing that. My husband is disabled with a back injury, that's how I know that this guy is bogus.

Wed, 10/11/2017 - 19:52 Permalink
Eric

In reply to by Pattie (not verified)

Hi Pattie,

Hi Pattie,

If you wish to report SSA fraud, you can call their fraud hotline and file an anonymous report.

Thu, 10/12/2017 - 09:21 Permalink
Tanya (not verified)

I know someone who file for

I know someone who file for benefits under their maiden name in order to obtain benefits because they were still legally married, but separated from their husband is this considered fraud?

Thu, 10/12/2017 - 16:23 Permalink
Eric

In reply to by Tanya (not verified)

Hi Tanya,

Hi Tanya,

It seems like they are intentionally trying mislead the SSA, which could constitute fraud.

Mon, 10/16/2017 - 09:33 Permalink
Tasha Clark (not verified)

If a person receives Social

If a person receives Social Security, and they are abusing the check by spending it all on drugs should Social Security get notified.

Fri, 10/13/2017 - 11:54 Permalink
Bryan

In reply to by Tasha Clark (not verified)

Hi Tasha,

Hi Tasha,
You may want to report suspected fraud by contacting the toll-free Social Security Administration Fraud Hotline at (800) 269-0271.

Mon, 10/16/2017 - 09:35 Permalink
Kathleen (not verified)

what if a person is using an

what if a person is using an address and does not live there or sleep there.

Sat, 10/14/2017 - 12:46 Permalink
Bryan

In reply to by Kathleen (not verified)

Hi Kathleen,

Hi Kathleen,
It may not affect their benefits, however you may want to contact the SSA with this information.

Mon, 10/16/2017 - 09:32 Permalink
Sonja (not verified)

I know someone collecting

I know someone collecting social sec. for a medical reason who recently got married but the now husband is still working under the table making thousands ,this person has even posted comments on her facebook page regarding her thoughts on how some people believe she is breaking the law but she dosent care,who can i sent the info to ,this person claims to be disabled yet is running a rehab group and make up group on line

Sun, 10/15/2017 - 01:09 Permalink
Bryan

In reply to by Sonja (not verified)

Hi Sonja,

Hi Sonja,
Running Facebook groups may not be considered work by the SSA, but you can report suspected fraud by contacting the toll-free Social Security Administration Fraud Hotline at (800) 269-0271.

Mon, 10/16/2017 - 09:33 Permalink
Stephanie (not verified)

I know a guy that is

I know a guy that is supposedly on disability for his back and mental reasons. How is he supposedly making himself his "wife's" payee and not only that lifting stuff over 100 lbs all the time and using their money to go to flea markets all the time and buy dolls and frivolously pissing taxpayer dollars away while on food stamps. He is verbally abusive to his wife and all the time working on cars and stuff how are you gonna play the govt. and lie about back problems like that. Piece of trash

Sun, 10/15/2017 - 12:16 Permalink
Bryan

In reply to by Stephanie (not verified)

Hi Stephanie,

Hi Stephanie,
You can report suspected fraud to the SSA by contacting the toll-free Social Security Administration Fraud Hotline at (800) 269-0271.

Mon, 10/16/2017 - 09:35 Permalink
Jeff (not verified)

A relative of mine is legally

A relative of mine is legally blind and is much younger than retirement age. He currently has his own business and has had this business for over ten years for which he participates in on a full time basis where he consistently makes six figures annually (after expenses). He also collects social security disability for his disability (blindness) and receives additional payments/benefits because he has a child. I was not sure if he is doing anything wrong, but would like to, in a credible way, advise him to stop collecting the social security disability payments, as my understanding is if he is making considerably more money than what social security is paying him, at the very least he is breaking the spirit of the intention of what social security disability is for. I would like to understand this correctly, so I can explain to him the legal risks he is taking every day (if any). He and my sister (his wife) could afford to easily live on what he makes from his business, as I have stated before, the business income is three or four times the amount of the payments he receives from social security disability. They have even boasted that they use the disability money to take lots of vacations. Is my relative committing a crime if what I have represented here factual? Can you answer my question or direct me to where my question could be answered?

Tue, 10/17/2017 - 12:52 Permalink
Eric

In reply to by Jeff (not verified)

Hi Jeff,

Hi Jeff,

Thank you for sharing. Based on what you said it appears he does not need to be on SSDI benefits as it appears that his blindness does not hinder his ability to own a business and earn enough money to live comfortably. I would recommend telling him to stop continuing to receive Social Security benefits. If you have any questions on Social Security fraud, you can call the fraud hotline at (800) 269-0271

Thu, 10/19/2017 - 09:33 Permalink
Teresa (not verified)

Is a person commiting fraud

Is a person commiting fraud in the following circumstances? Someone who gets disability but is living with bf? Witj 2 incomes in household (not including hers)Totalling about $30 per hr between her bf and a friend?

Tue, 10/17/2017 - 17:38 Permalink
Eric

In reply to by Teresa (not verified)

If she is on SSI it could,

If she is on SSI it could, however I am not sure if that would constitute fraud if she is on SSDI.

Thu, 10/19/2017 - 09:23 Permalink
sam (not verified)

hello, so I'm a manger

hello, so I'm a manger at a apartment complex and I have a tenant and she's on SSI. mind you she lives in low income housing and the government helps pay her rent. is it okay for her to have some guy live with her and she takes care of him with her SSI check and he has no income what so ever? idk I feel like this is not right.

Wed, 10/18/2017 - 12:30 Permalink
Eric

In reply to by sam (not verified)

Hi Sam,

Hi Sam,

You would need physical evidence of this doing, however it could be considered fraud.

Thu, 10/19/2017 - 09:35 Permalink
Jess (not verified)

How do I report somebody that

How do I report somebody that is getting a disability check every month and all she spends her money on is drugs and alcohol. She just got arrested on October 6, 2017. Need to know thanks

Thu, 10/19/2017 - 21:23 Permalink
HELP!!! (not verified)

So I know most of the

So I know most of the situation of the person in question but what if I make the claim and he talks his way out or it does end fraudulent and shouldn't. My husbands uncle got ssi because he had back surgery and lives with his sister who pays everything so its just extra spending money for him he works truck driving and doesn't fall under the needs meds all the time because I was a truck driver and they don't allow that anyways and you can kill someone while driving with anything to them. How do I decide if it would go to fraud before making the call or e-mail. I don't know his ssi or birthdate. I know his name where he lives who he lives with and thats it. I just don't want to make the wrong decision but be in the right for making the right decision

Thu, 10/19/2017 - 22:49 Permalink
Bryan

In reply to by HELP!!! (not verified)

Hi there,

Hi there,
The SSA won't penalize someone for making a report of suspected fraud in good faith.

Fri, 10/20/2017 - 09:19 Permalink
John (not verified)

Hello, my former mother in

Hello, my former mother in law is a small catering business owner she works for several small church organizations that allow for meals to be solder/served. I know that she is collecting SSI/disability checks from having several surgeries that have placed her at a difficulty to walk. I currently know of the place she is working out of? Can I file a report and provide all I do needed to start a claim? Is there a compensation for reporting someone?

Mon, 10/23/2017 - 15:24 Permalink
Eric

In reply to by John (not verified)

Hi John,

Hi John,

There is no reward for reporting someone who is committing Social Security fraud. You would need physical evidence of her committing fraud. Just because she works, that alone does not constitute fraud as you can work and receive Social Security at the same time. You can call the SSA's fraud hotline and leave a report.

Tue, 10/24/2017 - 09:05 Permalink
Anonymous (not verified)

I know someone collecting SSA

I know someone collecting SSA BUT continues to work (he owns his own businesses) out of his home doing lawn care and taxidermy. Supposedly he is disabled due to his back but he is working picking up very heavy stumps, mowing, weedeating, driving posts in the ground, etc. He is able to work and even advertises his businesses openly. I don’t want the person to find out who turned them in but pictures can be produced showing him working. What Can I do?

Wed, 10/25/2017 - 22:09 Permalink
Eric

In reply to by Anonymous (not verified)

You can leave an anonymous

You can leave an anonymous tip. You can report suspected fraud to the SSA by contacting the toll-free Social Security Administration Fraud Hotline at (800) 269-0271.

Thu, 10/26/2017 - 09:05 Permalink
Patricia (not verified)

What if you get disability

What if you get disability benefits and they aren't supposed to be driving and they drive everywhere? Also if the hand and fingers that " supposedly dont work" , actually work and have pictures of her using them.

Thu, 10/26/2017 - 01:30 Permalink
Eric

In reply to by Patricia (not verified)

Hi Patricia,

Hi Patricia,

You can report suspected fraud to the SSA by contacting the toll-free Social Security Administration Fraud Hotline at (800) 269-0271.

Thu, 10/26/2017 - 09:04 Permalink
Anonymous (not verified)

Someone I know had cancer

Someone I know had cancer years ago, has been in remission for 10+years. Wondering how he is able to still be on disability. He is physically active and intelligent. His house is in his Mother's name as is his cell phone and credit card. He pays all his utilities in cash and only has a savings account. I am convinced he is milking the system. I don't want to be identified if I report this person. Advice?

Thu, 10/26/2017 - 21:28 Permalink
Eric

In reply to by Anonymous (not verified)

You can file an anonymous tip

You can file an anonymous tip if you suspect SSA fraud.

Fri, 10/27/2017 - 09:10 Permalink
lisa (not verified)

A friend of mine told me

A friend of mine told me about a woman we both know who is on disability and is working full time under her mother's name. The woman's mother worked for this company a long time and when she left the company her daughter started working there under her mother's name. This woman also works mowing grass, goes to the gym to work out. She is also receiving grants for school. She has back problems and that's why she's on disability. Why should the taxpayers pay her benefits when she can and does work?

Fri, 10/27/2017 - 20:52 Permalink
Bryan

In reply to by lisa (not verified)

Hi there,

Hi there,
You can report suspected fraud to the SSA by contacting the toll-free Social Security Administration Fraud Hotline at (800) 269-0271.

Mon, 10/30/2017 - 08:41 Permalink

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