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

kirstie (not verified)

Hi, I was wondering how to

Hi, I was wondering how to report someone who is recieving benefits for a child he abandoned back in May and has been living with me every since

Sat, 09/24/2016 - 03:16 Permalink
Anonymous (not verified)

Also the one that wins the

Also the one that wins the lottery also mows grass an gets paid an works on some cars for people sometimes not all the time

Sat, 09/24/2016 - 08:06 Permalink
Bryan

In reply to by Anonymous (not verified)

Hi there,

Hi there,
If this person is not receiving disability benefits based on their income rather than their work history, they may not be commiting fraud if their disability is not physical in nature.

Mon, 09/26/2016 - 12:03 Permalink
Lucretia (not verified)

My husband is a permanent new

My husband is a permanent new permanent resident card holder and he was using other friends identification for work for a long time I reported it to immigration and the police he just stopped this year

Sat, 09/24/2016 - 18:08 Permalink
Bryan

In reply to by Lucretia (not verified)

Hi Lucretia,

Hi Lucretia,
We are not affiliated with the SSA and as such would not be able to investigate instances of identity theft. You may want to contact the SSA regarding this, their number is 1-800-772-1213.

Mon, 09/26/2016 - 13:10 Permalink
Bugler (not verified)

I know of a man who keeps

I know of a man who keeps filing for SSDI for Fake Medical issues, which SSDI denies in time his claim.
He is now working on a new claim ~ Deaf and Mute.
HOWEVER, this same person runs around on a 4-wheeling, a mile and 1/2 from their rural home, comes into the town, and complains(VERBALLY) to the police that peoples barking dogs in town keep him awake at night, 1 1/2 miles away.. (*Note: Claims to be DEAF too SSDI).
This man was declared by all of his private doctors as being a "Malingerer" (Yes, I know for a Fact as he brought their reports too me to explain to him what a Malingerer is...).
SSA needs to start scaring these people from continue filing such outrageous false claims of disability over and over and over... This individual is (Verbally) bragging that he is getting an attorney who will help him get SSDI in a Federal Court Admin Judge. SSDI should have the police there and arrest him for "Felony Fraud!" Instead of the old same story, Denied and let him free to file again with another made up medical issue.
Oh... and reporting such.. WHERE? Several of us have sent in reports and even VIDEOS of him talking and responding to people verbally and yet, nothing.
They should POST online the courthouse hearing dates/times and the person's name so that people know to send their evidence to the Admin. Judge hearing said cases!

Sun, 09/25/2016 - 15:37 Permalink
Bryan

In reply to by Bugler (not verified)

Hi there,

Hi there,
It sounds like the SSA is familiar with this person already, but if you have more information to send to them, you can send this information to the SSA at this address:

Social Security Fraud Hotline
P.O. Box 17768
Baltimore, Maryland 21235

Mon, 09/26/2016 - 13:52 Permalink
Anonymous (not verified)

What if you know a person who

What if you know a person who is receiving SSI...lies to the state about where they live and what they are paying as far as rent and bills...and uses all of their SSI check to gamble...I work full time and struggle while they collect benefits and use them to gamble

Mon, 09/26/2016 - 15:42 Permalink
Bryan

In reply to by Anonymous (not verified)

Hi there,

Hi there,
I'm sorry to hear that! you may want to contact the SSA and inform them of this.
You can send the information here:

Social Security Fraud Hotline
P.O. Box 17768
Baltimore, Maryland 21235

Mon, 09/26/2016 - 17:01 Permalink
Anonymous (not verified)

I know a family yes his wife

I know a family yes his wife works but he doesn't he's on disability for a bad back. Here's the thing he works on computers and gets paid under the table. They take trips to Mexico or the Caribbean. They also have a brand-new motorcycle and a brand-new camper and now the government is helping your child go to college. I'm on disability and half of the time I can't even afford to buy my own groceries are letting your piece of clothing article. And yet the government makes this hard for us to report someone of fraud

Mon, 09/26/2016 - 16:33 Permalink
Anonymous (not verified)

Someone

Someone is drawing social security disability and been working somewhere for 3 years

Wed, 09/28/2016 - 11:40 Permalink
Bryan

In reply to by Anonymous (not verified)

Hi There,

Hi There,
You may want to contact the SSA regarding this, you can do so here:
Social Security Fraud Hotline
P.O. Box 17768
Baltimore, Maryland 21235

Thu, 09/29/2016 - 11:48 Permalink
Penny (not verified)

Hi this is Penny again from

Hi this is Penny again from previous posts. I have the evidence on video. Is there a way I can privately meet up with a investigator let him see what I have and then do his own investigating to where I'm not involved? The video was taken from my porch and if it is used and made known to this certain individual he will know it was from me.

Thu, 09/29/2016 - 11:38 Permalink
Bryan

In reply to by Penny (not verified)

Hi Penny,

Hi Penny,
You may want to send this information to the SSA in an package without a return address and without any personal information about you to the SSA here:
Social Security Fraud Hotline
P.O. Box 17768
Baltimore, Maryland 21235

Thu, 09/29/2016 - 11:47 Permalink
Anonymous (not verified)

Many of the people commenting

Many of the people commenting on this thread are completely ignorant. I will be having two brain surgeries within the next few months and take nearly 100 pills a week. I also manage to go on a few vacations throughout the year, go swimming, and do normal activities on my good days. It's not a disabled persons job to prove to you that they are disabled when life is hard enough living with a disability. Not all disabilities are visible so who are you to judge who is or is not disabled. Unless you are their doctor then you have no business making any assumptions about their overall health. This world needs more education and compassion and less judgmental people who unfortunately lack both.

Thu, 09/29/2016 - 21:38 Permalink
Bryan

In reply to by Anonymous (not verified)

Hi there

Hi there
Thank you for sharing that! It's really important that people know how hard it is to know if someone is disabled by sight alone.

Fri, 09/30/2016 - 10:47 Permalink
Linda (not verified)

In reply to by Anonymous (not verified)

Thank you they don't

Thank you they don't know what is wrong with a person and trying to judge them peoples need to mind they own business

Fri, 10/14/2016 - 23:05 Permalink
Bryan

In reply to by Linda (not verified)

Hi Linda,

Hi Linda,
We agree! It's often really difficult to tell if someone has a disability or not.

Mon, 10/17/2016 - 12:01 Permalink
stephanie (not verified)

can we report the fraud case

can we report the fraud case via email? that person is claiming disability by saying his shoulder is injured and unable to work, if i have a video to prove that that person is perfectly capable of playing badminton, is that good enough evidence?

Fri, 09/30/2016 - 20:17 Permalink
becky smith (not verified)

I know this person who was

I know this person who was boen and raised in canada. He applied for social security here in tbe states. He told them that the hospital burned down where he was born in texas....they gave it to him n he's been drawing itsince nov 2002... hes not even an American citizen ....I didn't think it was possible but I'm pretty sure this is fraud right?

Sat, 10/01/2016 - 21:16 Permalink
Bryan

In reply to by becky smith (not verified)

Hi Becky,

Hi Becky,
I really could not say if it's fraud because we are not affiliated with the SSA and have no power to investigate allegations of fraud. However, you can go here to report fraud:
http://oig.ssa.gov/report

Mon, 10/03/2016 - 10:09 Permalink
Angelia frierson (not verified)

The person in question claim

The person in question claim that he can't work because he's stay in slot of pain because of a bump on he's back. But he gets up ever morning and go to work pouring concrete fixing up houses he paints etc.

Mon, 10/03/2016 - 08:51 Permalink
Bryan

In reply to by Angelia frierson (not verified)

Hi Angelia,

Hi Angelia,
You can send reports of fraud to the SSA here:
Social Security Fraud Hotline
P.O. Box 17768
Baltimore, Maryland 21235

Mon, 10/03/2016 - 10:09 Permalink
scared as heck… (not verified)

Hi everyone. I have a

Hi everyone. I have a question more than a comment I guess. How do you know what kind of assistance someone is on? Let's say I know 2 people and they let's say live on my block and friends. One of them already receives $2,600 a month (per him) (he brags about it to anyone that will listen I think but not 100% sure he said it was disability) he tells the friend (whom did have to have some sort of surgery but lets say I witnessed him carry 2x4's on his shoulder (and a saw) up a ladder and used saw and hammered above his head on ladder fixing the ceiling in almost a whole room.) that he should just file for disability now, because he will be denied at 1st, so if he got a lawyer, by the time he had his surgery and appealed his denial (he said with a lawyer it was a sure win) he would be approved and receive his back disability because it would take a while he'd get a good lump sum of cash. He told his friend "I know how to do it, just look at me" he also offered the name of the lawyer he used but, the wife of the friend said sense she had already sued CVS in their hometown and received a settlement (and is the process of suing a small business here) they would just use her lawyer that won her prior case. He now told the whole block he won will receive the same as the 1st guy in the amount of "$2,600 and with retro pay of 60 some thousand dollars". Now lets say I put a privacy fence last week to keep my kids from seeing them smoke weed in plain sight (and they talk about how much they have growing in both of their garages, they talk about heroine yes, yes, I have and so have other neighbors complained to our local P.D....no comment) anyway sense the fence let's say I happen to catch the one who had the recent surgery and grant of benefits on the mower w/out the neck brace (said he has to wear it for so many weeks all of the time, stressed he can't take it off or lift or pull anything over I think he said 5lbs) and the other one up and down a ladder on his roof bending over and squatting, laying down, sitting, standing, etc the things he said he receives benefits for because (as he laughs)they are things that he can't do with out dying in pain. The friend said he was approved due to the fact he will never be able to hold a job with him having to have his vertebrae fused. He carried two 5 gallon buckets of water into his garage as well yesterday w/out brace. he has only taken it off (that I've witnessed sense we put the fence up and only has done it out back. (my guess he possibly thinks noone will see him? just a theory of mine) I just honestly never in my life have heard of such a thing. It breaks my heart to think people honestly do this. Being a neighbor and having young children, working 3rd shift and take care of my my mom every other week at my house you can also please see my concern of them finding out I reported them. Especially for the people that are back and forth all hours of the night doing extra curricular activities I as well as our neighbors are in fear for ours and our families safety and well being. Please any ideas of what I should do or any information would be so so appreciated. living in between them both I hardly allow my kids to be outside. Please any advise at all will help. thank you in advance and have a great day.

Tue, 10/04/2016 - 10:52 Permalink
Jeb (not verified)

If someone is arrested for

If someone is arrested for stalking while they are receiving disability, would that not show inability to work?

Tue, 10/04/2016 - 12:40 Permalink
Bryan

In reply to by Jeb (not verified)

Hi Jeb,

Hi Jeb,
That may not establish that the person arrested for stalking is able to work.

Tue, 10/04/2016 - 13:12 Permalink
Shelli (not verified)

My friend received disability

My friend received disability and her husband does too. They have joint checking account where their checks are deposited. She is separating from and he mad and has of her check and his and the childrens benefits in account where only he can to.

Tue, 10/04/2016 - 12:58 Permalink
Bryan

In reply to by Shelli (not verified)

Hi Shelli,

Hi Shelli,
You may want to let your friend know that she can call the SSA and have the payee for her children changed to someone else, and she can also have her check deposited in a different account as well.

Tue, 10/04/2016 - 13:13 Permalink
Regina (not verified)

What if this person is heavy

What if this person is heavy on drugs do I have to give my name still to report the person? Let me tell you this person whole check goes to heroin

Tue, 10/04/2016 - 13:16 Permalink
Bryan

In reply to by Regina (not verified)

Hi Regina,

Hi Regina,
You may be able to send evidence without any personal information to the SSA here:
Social Security Fraud Hotline
P.O. Box 17768
Baltimore, Maryland 21235

Tue, 10/04/2016 - 13:56 Permalink
Me (not verified)

I have now been on hold for

I have now been on hold for 50 minutes waiting to report fraud!!! 50 minutes!!! Still waiting..........

Fri, 10/07/2016 - 13:03 Permalink
Bryan

In reply to by Me (not verified)

Hi there,

Hi there,
You do have some different options to report fraud. Instead of calling the SSA, you can go to their website at http://oig.ssa.gov/report, or you can also send the information here:
Social Security Fraud Hotline
P.O. Box 17768
Baltimore, Maryland 21235

Fri, 10/07/2016 - 14:13 Permalink
Not fair (not verified)

I know someone who is drawing

I know someone who is drawing disability...says she's single...says she has neuropathy in her hands and feet yet she can do anything I can. She mows for people, does woodwork in her garage...has her boyfriend living there who has a really good paying job that the government knows nothing about. She also has a guy living there who pays her 150.00 a week plus she gets foodstamps .. She's good friends with her doctor...she's a hydrocodone addict...Xanax etc. Am I turning her in? Heck no...not if I have to give my name and info..that's not right...

Sat, 10/08/2016 - 23:16 Permalink
Bryan

In reply to by Not fair (not verified)

HI there,

HI there,
The SSA may not retaliate against anyone who makes a complaint in good faith.

Mon, 10/10/2016 - 10:05 Permalink
Mckenzie (not verified)

What can you do if you know

What can you do if you know someone is using their disability check to buy illegal drugs?

Sun, 10/09/2016 - 09:42 Permalink
Valena Pomeroy (not verified)

I know somebody that is being

I know somebody that is being paid to help her disabled mother. This person went on vacation to Alabama for what was supposed to be one week however it ended being five weeks that she was gone, and she turned in the paperwork claiming she worked. When in fact she wasn't even in the state of CA let alone worked! I know this for a fact because I was the person who helped her out when she didn't come back from her vacation the first week. 2,3, 4, and filing at the end of the fifth week she came home. My friend The SSI recipient White is the person that told me she would pain for two weeks of the salary considering I was there for weeks was unfair that her daughter got the money and didn't work. However I can get by. Anything not one penny. I feel she didn't just rip me off she ripped off Social Security as well and right is right and wrong is wrong.

Sun, 10/09/2016 - 11:20 Permalink
Bryan

In reply to by Valena Pomeroy (not verified)

Hi Valena,

Hi Valena,
You do have some different options to report fraud. Instead of calling the SSA, you can go to their website at http://oig.ssa.gov/report, or you can also send the information here:
Social Security Fraud Hotline
P.O. Box 17768
Baltimore, Maryland 21235

Mon, 10/10/2016 - 10:01 Permalink
Becka (not verified)

I had a question about

I had a question about whether it is fraud or not. I know someone that gets ss disability and his wife takes the check each month and doesn't pay any of his medical bills or give him any of the money at all. everytime that person asks where the check went she cant give him a straight answer. Is that fraud?

Sun, 10/09/2016 - 14:37 Permalink
Bryan

In reply to by Becka (not verified)

Hi Becka,

Hi Becka,
That may be fraud if the husband is denied access to that check and the check is not used for his benefit if he has a representative payee.

Mon, 10/10/2016 - 10:02 Permalink
Cynthia Travis (not verified)

My mom is getting my little

My mom is getting my little brother ssi check it comes off my our dad she has been forging his signature and lying to him like social security told her to do stuff with his check and when he asks her for it she gets mad and tell him she is going to report him for something although he turnt 18 in February she still continued to cash his check with out his permission and sign his name he misses days from school his check was cut off in may he didn't receive one for June and July until august I think and she be threatening him saying she gone tell ssi that he don't go to school everytime he ask for his check I would like to report this because it's wrong and she recieve his check and hers

Mon, 10/10/2016 - 00:35 Permalink
Bryan

In reply to by Cynthia Travis (not verified)

Hi Cynthia,

Hi Cynthia,
You do have some different options to report fraud. Instead of calling the SSA, you can go to their website at http://oig.ssa.gov/report, or you can also send the information here:
Social Security Fraud Hotline
P.O. Box 17768
Baltimore, Maryland 21235

Mon, 10/10/2016 - 10:03 Permalink
Paul Richards (not verified)

Are their monetary rewards

Are their monetary rewards paid for successfully reporting a fraud user?

Fri, 10/14/2016 - 12:17 Permalink
Bryan

In reply to by Paul Richards (not verified)

Hi Paul,

Hi Paul,
Unfortunately, there is not any reward for doing so.

Fri, 10/14/2016 - 13:28 Permalink
Linda (not verified)

How could someone take a

How could someone take a person who been lock up for 2 years SSD,SSI,VA.checks and cash them and don't give them a penny out of his money and don't nothing be done about it and that is a lot of money she stolen from that man for 2 years 3 checks a month wow how could she not go to jail for that I really want to know

Fri, 10/14/2016 - 22:56 Permalink

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