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.
Blog comments
In reply to if you know someone who is on by Amy (not verified)
Hi Amy,
Hi Amy,
If they are legally married then their incomes should be counted together when benefits are being determined. You can report fraud anonymously on the SSA website.
Can someone receive Ssi
Can someone receive Ssi benefits and receive income from 3 rental property
In reply to Can someone receive Ssi by Angela (not verified)
Hi Angela,
Hi Angela,
The SSA would generally consider this income and could result in a partial or total reduction of benefits. If the SSA is not aware of this, you can report it anonymously online.
Can a person lose ssbenefits
Can a person lose ssbenefits for doing illegal drugs or alcohol abuses? Or buying illegal drugs with benefits
In reply to Can a person lose ssbenefits by Xg (not verified)
Hi,
Hi,
Yes, illegal activities are one way that someone can lose their benefits. You can report anonymously on the SSA website.
I know someone who is on
I know someone who is on social security disability, she claims she is getting $205,000 from your organization and is scamming a veteran out of all of his money from retirement every month to pay her bills based on a promise that she will pay him back she leaves him broke and hungry he receives $3,200 a month she hits him up on the fourth Wednesday of the month and the first of the month one of those dates is for his social security disability and I believe the first of the month is for his military retirement
In reply to I know someone who is on by Thomas (not verified)
Hi,
Hi,
Just to clarify we are not the SSA and therefore not the ones giving the benefits out. However, this does not seem like a good situation and you can report fraud on the SSA's website anonymously
WHAT DO YOU DO WHEN EMPLOYERS
WHAT DO YOU DO WHEN EMPLOYERS INSURANCE FOR INGURY TAMPERS WITH RECORDS AND GIVES SOCIAL SECURITY THE WRONG, AND NOT ALL INGURIES
In reply to WHAT DO YOU DO WHEN EMPLOYERS by william krutul (not verified)
Hi,
Hi,
You are able to report fraud anonymously to the SSA, however this is something that you might want to speak to an attorney about because it seems like extends beyond the scope of disability benefits.
If you know that someone is
If you know that someone is committing fraud by working full time and drawing benefits, can you report them? If you do report them, can you stay anonymous due to your own safety?
In reply to If you know that someone is by Anonymous (not verified)
Hi There,
Hi There,
You are able to report to the SSA anonymously online on their website.
Best,
Mark
Is it fraud if you receive
Is it fraud if you receive SSI and selling illegal drugs. If it is fraud, how can I report this? I have proof that this person sells illegally drugs.
In reply to Is it fraud if you receive by Anonymous (not verified)
Hi,
Hi,
This might be an issue for the police, however you are able to report fraud anonymously to the SSA online.
I know someone that claimed
I know someone that claimed he had a disability an an he couldn’t work yet he’s owns his own lawn company an put it in his wife’s name to cover up his tracks so he doesn’t get caught there is nothin wrong with him an he is eligible to work but he is lyin to the government for free money an I used to work with him an when he told me that I was posed bc I have family members that have disabilities so this needs to stop
In reply to I know someone that claimed by Trace (not verified)
Hi,
Hi,
You are able to report fraud to the SSA online. However, owning a business is not a violation by itself.
How do you report someone you
How do you report someone you know spent a deceased parents social security after that person passed ?
In reply to How do you report someone you by Anonymous (not verified)
Hi There,
Hi There,
You can't report a death online to the SSA, so you'll need to call your local SSA office. Often, the funeral home will report the death, so if you would like them to handle that, you'll need to give the funeral home the deceased's Social Security number. Here is more info: ssa.gov/benefits/survivors/
What if I a person who is
What if I a person who is receiving disability benefits an i no for a fact that some of the money is being used to buy drugs that are kept in their house
What do I do
In reply to What if I a person who is by Anonymous (not verified)
Hi,
Hi,
You can report fraud anonymously online on the SSA website.
How do I report someone that
How do I report someone that has been accepting benefits for 4-6 years on behalf of a deceased person?
In reply to How do I report someone that by Mrs.Him (not verified)
Hi Mrs. Him,
Hi Mrs. Him,
You can do so online or call the SSA's fraud hotline at 1-800-269-0271.
2126019982 got a call from
2126019982 got a call from this number saying my SS number has been cancelled due to fraud.
In reply to 2126019982 got a call from by Elizabeth Daniels (not verified)
Hi Elizabeth,
Hi Elizabeth,
I would disregard this message as it is very likely a spam call. Here is an article that explains a little more about the types of scams that are going around: https://www.aarp.org/money/scams-fraud/info-2019/social-security.html
I know a few people in my x
I know a few people in my x family that are collecting disability and do crack all the time.. It infuriates me that the system we have does not check on these people and continues to pay my tax dollars to these losers....Why are they not drug tested?????
In reply to I know a few people in my x by Anonymous (not verified)
Hi,
Hi,
You are able to report fraud online anonymously on the SSA website.
If someone stated they are
If someone stated they are collecting disability and working but not to tell. Can you report them? Can the phone records be listened to?
In reply to If someone stated they are by LT (not verified)
Hi LT,
Hi LT,
You should be able to remain anonymous. You can also try reporting it online as well.
I know someone receiving
I know someone receiving benefits that is using address that they don't live at to receive better benefits
In reply to I know someone receiving by Christopher (not verified)
Hi Christopher,
Hi Christopher,
If you suspect fraud, you can report it to the SSA online or by calling their fraud hotline.
How can I turn someone in who
How can I turn someone in who is doing what they are not supposed to?
And I dont need him to know it is me turning him in.
In reply to How can I turn someone in who by Michele (not verified)
Hi Michele,
Hi Michele,
If you suspect fraud, you can anonymously report it online.
What if you know someone who
What if you know someone who is a drug addict and an alcoholic that gets benefits? Can his wife oversee his payments to assure funds are not spent on drugs?
In reply to What if you know someone who by Kiki (not verified)
Hi Kiki,
Hi Kiki,
If the wife is the payee, she can help make sure the benefits are only used for approved uses.
What if you know someone is
What if you know someone is on SSI and is legally married and doesn’t report that marriage
In reply to What if you know someone is by Anonymous (not verified)
Hi There,
Hi There,
If you suspect fraud, you can report it online anonymously.
What if someone is getting
What if someone is getting either short or long term disability and lives in an apartment with someone but on the papers they sent out for more information in puts that he lives with his mother and grandmother?
In reply to What if someone is getting by Anonymous (not verified)
Hi There,
Hi There,
If you suspect fraud, you can report it online to the SSA.
I know someone who collected
I know someone who collected over 2 years or close to 3 years SSDI child payments of $500 a month and the child did not live with him . Also never reported that income to 3 city's (health and human services dept) in 2 different states . Received heat and electric assistance and food stamps based on the incorrect information as well as assets not reported to two of the city's . It's not recent but within the past 4 years and most likely somewhat ongoing in present city and state. Can I still report it and will it be investigated.?
In reply to I know someone who collected by Southpaw (not verified)
Hi There,
Hi There,
You can report it on the SSA's site!
How can you report someone on
How can you report someone on disability and is driving a dump truck getting paid in the wife’s name?
In reply to How can you report someone on by Sandy (not verified)
Hi Sandy,
Hi Sandy,
You can report it online at the SSA's Office of the Inspector General's website.
I know someone that is
I know someone that is collecting Social Security disability but working under the table how can I report this
In reply to I know someone that is by A (not verified)
Hi A,
Hi A,
You can report it online or call the SSA's Fraud hotline.
My neighbor is collecting
My neighbor is collecting disability for knee and back problems yet spends all day doing weeding by bending over and I have video of her climbing over fences and throwing weeds on my sidewalk. Can I report her for social security disability fraud? Since she is obviously quite capable of acrobatics?
In reply to My neighbor is collecting by Anonymous (not verified)
Hi There,
Hi There,
You are able to report fraud anonymously on the SSA website. It is important to know that not all disabilities look the same. Just because something looks like fraud there might be more going on.
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