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

Tanya (not verified)

I have a brother in law that

I have a brother in law that walked off his job 4 months ago because he said he was having a breakdown, since then he has seen a counselor and is trying to get on disability but is somehow able to work for a nearby rancher under the table, I can not believe that this can happen but from all comments it sounds common, WHY? and then to make matters worse you pay the price for being the whistle blower,WHY? I agree with upper comments that it is BS they are just playing the system and he is lazy and just does't want to work anymore.

Sat, 07/15/2017 - 18:03 Permalink
Eric

In reply to by Tanya (not verified)

Hi Tanya,

Hi Tanya,

Sorry to hear that, but Social Security fraud can happen from time to time.

-Eric

Mon, 07/17/2017 - 09:19 Permalink
Sam (not verified)

I work in slots at a casino

I work in slots at a casino and I had a customer win an almost 16,000 jackpot, and didn't want any federal taken out because they told me they don't have to fille because they get disability but I tried to Google it and it says you can't have like 2000 in assets or something so shouldn't that be like reported or something

Sun, 07/16/2017 - 03:04 Permalink
Eric

In reply to by Sam (not verified)

Hi Sam,

Hi Sam,

Any additional unearned income (i.e gambling winnings) should be reported the SSA.

-Eric

Mon, 07/17/2017 - 09:20 Permalink
Not sure what to do (not verified)

I know someone has been on

I know someone has been on social security disability for decades now
( about 30 years ) for a back injury. It has come to my attention that said person is involved in activities such as big ball bowling and has even bragged about how good of a bowler that person is.How can someone with a bad back be a great bowler and still collect benefits for all this time? I believe it is a false claim. I even have screen shots of the bragging. Is there anything i can do about this and what will social security do.

Mon, 07/17/2017 - 09:00 Permalink
Eric

In reply to by Not sure what to do (not verified)

Hello,

Hello,

The more physical evidence you have the better, you can call the SSA at 1-800-772-1213 and leave a report.

-Eric

Mon, 07/17/2017 - 09:21 Permalink
Anonymous (not verified)

Is it fraud if someone

Is it fraud if someone collects ssc while the person is in jail

Mon, 07/17/2017 - 14:03 Permalink
Eric

In reply to by Anonymous (not verified)

Hi There,

Hi There,

Generally Social Security payments stop once a person goes to prison, but they can resume once released.

-Eric

Tue, 07/18/2017 - 09:14 Permalink
Debra Jenkins (not verified)

What if the person was

What if the person was rightfully entitled to disability payments but the person they made power of attorney (before the disability) took all of their back payment money etc, isn't that fraud?? How do you get the division to look into the case to see that this person got away with taking advantage of a disabled (axonal brain injury) person they thought they can trust?

Tue, 07/18/2017 - 10:04 Permalink
Bryan

In reply to by Debra Jenkins (not verified)

Hi Debra,

Hi Debra,
You may want to contact the Social Security Administration Fraud Hotline at (800) 269-0271, or by sending them a letter here:
Social Security Fraud Hotline
P.O. Box 17768
Baltimore, Maryland 21235

Tue, 07/18/2017 - 13:33 Permalink
alicia meyers (not verified)

November 2013 my brother

November 2013 my brother mysteriously fell down a concrete flight of stairs and cracked his head in two places leaving him with an Axonal brain injury. Totally unaware that many years before the injury he gave a so called friend Power of Attorney. Not even 24 hours after he had fallen she took his safe deposit box that had him and his son's social security cards, birth certificates, bank cards and keys to his house. This person applied for disability payment for him as well as had all his visits blocked at the hospital so no family could see or talk to him. This poa hired a crack head to look after him after being released from rehabilitation and wouldn't let his family talk to him.This poa had him committed to a mental institution without talking to relevant family members first, and had his son taken from him by saying his father was taking showers with him and sleeping nude with him. This poa also was spending his payroll money while he was in a coma . There's a lot more to the story but in closing this poa put her name on his bank account and took all of his back payment money from disability, isn't this fraud??? When my brother made her power of attorney he was of sound mind, but he didn't mean for her to take total advantage of him, he said she went way to far, how can my brother get his back money back if her name was on everything after he fell? Is it too late to go after her? That money wasn't hers to take

Tue, 07/18/2017 - 10:57 Permalink
Bryan

In reply to by alicia meyers (not verified)

Hi Alicia,

Hi Alicia,
I'm really sorry to hear about all this! You may want to contact the SSA with this information, they may be able to change your brother's payee to someone who would use that money for his benefit.

Tue, 07/18/2017 - 13:23 Permalink
sheree (not verified)

hi I work with and old woman

hi I work with and old woman and this woman told me in a recent outburst that her husband has got away with claiming disability for years for a bad back and will keep doing so how would I report them all I no is their names. ive seen her husband walking fast with no stick and carrying heavy things with ease

Wed, 07/19/2017 - 07:10 Permalink
Eric

In reply to by sheree (not verified)

Hi Sheree,

Hi Sheree,

You would need physical evidence such as photographs or medical records.

-Eric

Wed, 07/19/2017 - 09:38 Permalink
david (not verified)

what if someone is living

what if someone is living outside the country now and continues to collect ssi dissability.moved to egypt and married a 23 year old and is 56 herself.

Wed, 07/19/2017 - 08:32 Permalink
Eric

In reply to by david (not verified)

Hi David,

Hi David,

If you are a U.S. citizen, you may continue to receive payments outside the
United States as long as you are eligible for payment and you are in a country where the SSA can send payments.

-Eric

Wed, 07/19/2017 - 09:35 Permalink
Anonymous (not verified)

Can a person receiving 100

Can a person receiving 100 per cent disability for neck and back injuries b able to play golf and other activities

Wed, 07/19/2017 - 18:01 Permalink
Anonymous (not verified)

Joe John appleton...has

Someone I know...has worked for the last 12years at somewhere...lives on in the area...fraud case...collects 700 month....check him out

Thu, 07/20/2017 - 13:13 Permalink
Bryan

In reply to by Anonymous (not verified)

Hi there,

Hi there,
We are not affiliated with the SSA or the federal government and as such we don't have the ability to investigate instances of fraud. You may want to contact the SSA at their Social Security Administration Fraud Hotline: (800) 269-0271

Thu, 07/20/2017 - 13:34 Permalink
David L. Coon (not verified)

I supported someone for seven

I supported someone for seven years , the whole time she was depositing her disability check into a savings account. Is this fraud ? She bought a piece of property and a mobile home , paid cash and left me. I'm thinking , if she could deposit into savings , she didn't need disability.

Fri, 07/21/2017 - 00:20 Permalink
Bryan

In reply to by David L. Coon (not verified)

Hi David, I'm sorry to hear

Hi David, I'm sorry to hear that!
If she was receiving the money based on her work record rather than her level of income, then that may not be fraud.

Fri, 07/21/2017 - 09:37 Permalink
Angie B (not verified)

What if someone is getting

What if someone is getting disability because of their level of education..and then gets married to someone who makes more than enough to support the family? They get Medicaid, food stamps, fuel assistance and child support( irrelevant). To me..they no longer need the government support..they married into money..why do we still support them?

Fri, 07/21/2017 - 00:34 Permalink
Bryan

In reply to by Angie B (not verified)

HI there,

HI there,
They would become ineligible for those programs, you may want to contact the SSA by sending a letter with evidence to them here:
Social Security Fraud Hotline
P.O. Box 17768
Baltimore, Maryland 21235

Fri, 07/21/2017 - 09:38 Permalink
Angie B (not verified)

In reply to by Bryan

Besides the government

Besides the government programs, will they still keep her disability income?? They are spending money left and right while I can't afford a gallon of milk.

Thu, 07/27/2017 - 00:39 Permalink
Bryan

In reply to by Angie B (not verified)

Hi Angie,

Hi Angie,
If a person is confirmed to have been committing disability fraud, they would lose their disability benefits.

Thu, 07/27/2017 - 09:18 Permalink
Jack (not verified)

My brother is an alcoholic

My brother is an alcoholic collecting full benefits all his money goes to drink, living in his mothers house. When he runs out he goes in his van and does odd jobs. Why are we paying him benefits enabling his alcoholism.

Sat, 07/22/2017 - 21:32 Permalink
Eric

In reply to by Jack (not verified)

Hi Jack,

Hi Jack,

Sorry to hear that. Wishing you and your family nothing but the best.

-Eric

Mon, 07/24/2017 - 09:44 Permalink
Gab (not verified)

I know this man his grandma

I know this man his grandma died in 2007 and he got a lot of money from her death and never reported it.. and when his mom pass he will get more... how can he get away with this

Sat, 07/22/2017 - 23:28 Permalink
Rene (not verified)

What if a mother is receiving

What if a mother is receiving money under the table from another source. Does she need to report this money to ssi?

Sun, 07/23/2017 - 10:53 Permalink
Laura (not verified)

I am going to report somebody

I am going to report somebody who gets disability, but he does construction work all week and is paid cash. I know the people he works for and I have addresses. Do they really go to suspected work sites and take pictures For their investigation?

Sun, 07/23/2017 - 16:45 Permalink
John Doe (not verified)

I know someone who is on

I know someone who is on disability and sence being on disability and not at work with nothing to do all day they have Become addicted to drugs and spend all their check on drugs each month. I'm in contact with them almost every day and know for a fact they're only disability is being a drug attic. what do I do

Tue, 07/25/2017 - 12:29 Permalink
Bryan

In reply to by John Doe (not verified)

Hi there,

Hi there,
You may want to contact the SSA regarding this, you can contact them at the toll-free Social Security Administration Fraud Hotline at (800) 269-0271.

Tue, 07/25/2017 - 14:01 Permalink
anna (not verified)

my friend is on disability

my friend is on disability and gets money and spends it all and has to borrow money from her friends who are also on disability and make less then her. is that considered fraud

Tue, 07/25/2017 - 13:37 Permalink
Bryan

In reply to by anna (not verified)

Hi Anna,

Hi Anna,
I really could not say if it was, however if you suspect fraud you may want to contact the SSA, you can send evidence of fraud to them here:
Social Security Fraud Hotline
P.O. Box 17768
Baltimore, Maryland 21235

Tue, 07/25/2017 - 14:02 Permalink
Mary (not verified)

I know of someone who cleans

I know of someone who cleans houses, mows yards, goes on trips and works in gardens etc. I even have pictures. Will that help prove this about them faking their illness?

Wed, 07/26/2017 - 23:28 Permalink
Bryan

In reply to by Mary (not verified)

Hi Mary,

Hi Mary,
It may do that, you may want to contact the SSA with this evidence.

Thu, 07/27/2017 - 09:19 Permalink
Al (not verified)

My step mother has been on

My step mother has been on full disability for 10+ years, she is able to perform every task I can and for extended periods. She has been diagnosed with emphysema and had a bout of throat cancer which is no longer an issue. She buys an ounce of weed (marijuana) each month when her check comes in. She owns a camp and within the last 4 years has purchased a home she has a mortgage on. Most working people I know don't have that kind of money, is this worthy of reporting?

Thu, 07/27/2017 - 10:33 Permalink
Bryan

In reply to by Al (not verified)

Hi Al,

Hi Al,
That may be worth reporting, however you would be able to own a home and property while receiving benefits based on work record as there are no limits on unearned income and property. If she is receiving benefits based on her income, then she may be committing fraud.

Thu, 07/27/2017 - 15:00 Permalink
Becky (not verified)

My childrens grandfather jus

My childrens grandfather jus got a disability check and has started a new job under the table i dont want him to know i want to report him.

Thu, 07/27/2017 - 11:58 Permalink
Bryan

In reply to by Becky (not verified)

Hi Becky,

Hi Becky,
You don't have to give a name to report, you can do so anonymously by sending a letter with any evidence to:
Social Security Fraud Hotline
P.O. Box 17768
Baltimore, Maryland 21235

Thu, 07/27/2017 - 15:02 Permalink
anonymous (not verified)

Hi i know someone that her 6

Hi i know someone that her 6 year old daughter gets a disability check she can't hear since she was born. Right now her mom is in mexico she moved over there in the summer and hasn't come back to pick up her oldest child and she is also working over there while getting a check from here .She never buys her kids the stuff they need but yet she would waist the money to go out with her boyfriend even one of her kids would say she don't buy them nothing but she would buy clothes, make-up, shoes, and purses for herself. She didn't care to loose her job since she was getting her daughters check she went to live with her mother after loosing her job and waste the money on herself instead of the kid. Is this fraud? and can i report her?

Thu, 07/27/2017 - 18:02 Permalink
Eric

In reply to by anonymous (not verified)

Hi There,

Hi There,

It's tough to say. The more physical evidence you have of the alleged fraud the better your chances are.

-Eric

Fri, 07/28/2017 - 09:15 Permalink
HI (not verified)

In reply to by Eric

Hi what kind of evidence or

Hi what kind of evidence or specific evidence do they need? Her oldest daughter is 11 years she be telling us what kind of stuff her mother buys and that is only for her. is that enough?

Fri, 07/28/2017 - 12:37 Permalink
Bryan

In reply to by HI (not verified)

Hi there,

Hi there,
That may be enough as the SSA would also ask them for a record of the purchases that they had made with the funds.

Mon, 07/31/2017 - 08:29 Permalink
HI (not verified)

In reply to by Bryan

Ok so that means i can report

Ok so that means i can report her and let them know what her daughter says? Do i let them know that she is in mexico right now working over there and got married over their too? would the disability check be under the mothers name or the 6 year old daughter?

Mon, 07/31/2017 - 16:49 Permalink
Anonymous (not verified)

I know someone who cashes

I know someone who cashes their disabilty check then sends it overseas to a scammer. This person knows that this is wrong but does it anyway. Can I report them?

Fri, 07/28/2017 - 20:55 Permalink
Bryan

In reply to by Anonymous (not verified)

HI there,

HI there,
Yes, you may want to do so. It also may be a good idea to contact the nearest office of the FBI regarding this as they investigate wire fraud.

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

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