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
my daughters mother
my daughters mother receives social security disability benefits and so does my daughter. however she also receives child support from me that she has never reported and I'm stuck trying my best to understand how can this happan
In reply to my daughters mother by chris poe (not verified)
This is likely because child
This is likely because child support and SSD are handled by two different government departments.
My neighbor brags about
My neighbor brags about ripping us off we need PDT to investigate the people who run ssi
In reply to My neighbor brags about by Your momma (not verified)
Hi There,
Hi There,
You can call the SSA fraud hotline and leave an anonymous report.
I know someone who does
I know someone who does business with me. I own an auto repair shop. This person works at two used car dealers and I have been doing auto repairs for him for the past two years. He has spent well over $50,000 in repairs. He does really well with auto sales and I asked him why he doesn't get his own dealer license. He said he couldn't and stated he would lose his social security insurance. This threw up a red flag and I put it all together. He always paid in cash. Is this something that should be reported?
In reply to I know someone who does by Mark (not verified)
Oh Hi Mark,
Oh Hi Mark,
If this person is not reporting income to the SSA, it could be considered fraud.
In reply to Oh Hi Mark, by Eric
How could this even be proven
How could this even be proven if he always pays in cash?
In reply to How could this even be proven by Anonymous (not verified)
Any sort of physical evidence
Any sort of physical evidence.
In reply to Any sort of physical evidence by Eric
I have all of the invoices I
I have all of the invoices I could re-print.
In reply to I have all of the invoices I by Mark (not verified)
Hi Mark, That's a good start!
Hi Mark,
That's a good start!
In reply to Hi Mark, That's a good start! by Eric
How would I go about putting
How would I go about putting in a formal complaint?
In reply to How would I go about putting by Mark (not verified)
Hi Mark,
Hi Mark,
You would have to go to the Office of the Inspector General's website. There is a form on there where you can fill out your complaint.
Can a person on ssi work
Can a person on ssi work under the table
In reply to Can a person on ssi work by Beth (not verified)
Hi Beth,
Hi Beth,
Anyone who works while collected Social Security benefits NEEDs to report any additional income to the SSA.
what if a parent is
what if a parent is collecting benefits for 2 kids but not spending it accordingly uses it for drugs instead
In reply to what if a parent is by melanie (not verified)
Hi Melanie,
Hi Melanie,
That would constitute fraud. You may want to report that to the SSA.
Hello, I have a neighbor who
Hello, I have a neighbor who collects disability and has three cars with disability plates. I've seen her work in her garage all day moving and rearranging heavy stuff from her garage. I have a security camera that has recorded all these events. Can this be reported?
In reply to Hello, I have a neighbor who by NELA (not verified)
Hi Nela,
Hi Nela,
You may need more evidence than that.
My little girl gets social
My little girl gets social security and she also is getting child support so how do I report all of this to social security
In reply to My little girl gets social by Mary Lea Vick (not verified)
Hi There,
Hi There,
You can call the SSA and they can tell you the steps to take.
I know someone that is a
I know someone that is a payee for someone else but when the check comes in on card the payee does not give the person Check is for nothing ! Doesn't pay a bill doesn't even allow the person to know when it has came in?
In reply to I know someone that is a by Rebecca (not verified)
Hi Rebecca,
Hi Rebecca,
That may constitute fraud. You should contact the SSA regarding that.
My ex-wife was awarded
My ex-wife was awarded permanent lifetime alimony since she was on disability and could not work to support herself. However, she continues to work not at her educated profession, but at a restaurant her friend owns as a hostess on her feet all day! More than likely paid in cash. How can I confirm whether or not she is still receiving disability?
In reply to My ex-wife was awarded by Donnie (not verified)
Hi Donnie,
Hi Donnie,
Social Security is confidential information, you would need written consent to find out for sure if she is on SSDI.
Wow, what a crock. I know
Wow, what a crock. I know someone right now that is in the process of being approved for disability. This person admits to working the system and not being disabled. This person is using the mental illness diagnoses because the attorney recommended it as the best diagnoses to get approved.
In reply to Wow, what a crock. I know by Steven (not verified)
Hi Steven,
Hi Steven,
I am sorry to hear that. It is very unfortunate that there are some people do take advantage of this system.
Are people who receive
Are people who receive disability benefits submitted to drug testing? Is using disability benefits to fuel a drug and alcohol habit a violation? what if the recipient is not giving their care-giver the amount of money they are supposed to each month?
In reply to Are people who receive by tc (not verified)
Hi There,
Hi There,
The SSA has no drug testing policy for disability benefits.
In 2006 i was put on
In 2006 i was put on disability. I have 3 children and an ex husband. 2 children lived with me 1 with him. Fast forward- said child that resided with wants nothing to do with me now that she is an adult, her father lied to her and yold her i stoled all thag mpo ey from her. THIS IS A LIE AND CAN BE PROVEN!!
Please someone help me
I want him to pay for the hurt he has caused by his lies and prove to all 3 of my kids i am not the person he has made me out to be for 7 yrs staright now
Spmeone please help me
In reply to In 2006 i was put on by Lost (not verified)
Hi There,
Hi There,
I am sorry to hear that. You may want to call the SSA at 1-800-772-1213 and speak with a representative from there.
I know someone who is on
I know someone who is on disability for a shoulder injury and he cuts the grass, climbs under cars and fix them, and paints. He thinks he can not be touched.
In reply to I know someone who is on by A person who c… (not verified)
Hi There,
Hi There,
I am sorry to hear that. Unfortunately people do take advantage of the system.
Hi, I don't know what to
Hi, I don't know what to do but there is a lady going around bragging about how she is cheating the system. Her husband gets a disability check for his neck and she was in a car wreak 5 years ago and she said the only way she could get a check 5 years later was to say she was separated and lived in another house. So she is using someone address but still lives with her husband. She brags how she get discount on her rent, electric, food stamps, and free medical. And her husband gets the same thing. So they get double everything and she gets extra because she claims her son. Plus as long as she is on disability she don't have to pay child support on her other 2 kids she doesn't have custody of. I don't really why both of them are on disability because they are all the time mud bogging, camping, four wheeling and have 2 trucks that are so high up, I don't know how they get in them. Plus she told this friend of mine that if she puts her vehicles in someone else's name so she can have whatever she wants and how many. This lady is proud of what she is doing to the system. I work 40+ hours a week and honestly take care of my kids. When I get older or if something happens where I need disability, I would like to be able to get it. But people like this married couple cheating the system and laughing at the government about how they are cheating the system, makes me really mad. I want to report them so bad but I want to be anonymous . What should I do?
In reply to Hi, I don't know what to by Anonymous (not verified)
Hi There,
Hi There,
Unfortunately fraud happens from time to time. You can report anonymously by calling the SSA fraud hotline or doing it online at the SSA's website.
My roommate spends all his
My roommate spends all his disability on pot. Is this legal?
In reply to My roommate spends all his by James (not verified)
Hi James,
Hi James,
You shouldn't use Social Security benefits on illegal drugs.
Can i report someone i know
Can i report someone i know is useing drugs and on disability?
In reply to Can i report someone i know by Kim (not verified)
Hi Kim,
Hi Kim,
If that person is using their benefits on those illegal drugs, then it is possible.
I know a mother that is the
I know a mother that is the payee for her daughter (the daughter's dad died). The kid is NEVER home, NEVER has clothes (she once wore the same clothes for 4 days to school), she's ALWAYS hungry, never has a school lunch. Her mother is not using the money to care for her. She's using it to support her and her loser boyfriend. I'd report this but don't want to provide my name or social or any of that. Any way to have someone check on this without having to use my name? I told the girl to report her mother herself but she won't.
In reply to I know a mother that is the by Shane Stein (not verified)
Hi Shane,
Hi Shane,
You can report anonymously to the SSA. When you do that, you will not need to provide your contact information or social.
I do know someone who is
I do know someone who is getting benefits and I absolutely suspect she is not disabled in any way, shape or form, however I do not know her social security number, the nature of her supposed disability or anything else about her. She is in college on the states dime, gets professors to pass her failing grades by conning them, and has no problem raking leaves and doing heavy work. So, what's her disability? I'd love to report her, but will not do so because I must identify myself. I also might be wrong, but I don't think so. I also know she is a felon.
In reply to I do know someone who is by Anonymous (not verified)
Hi There,
Hi There,
You can anonymously report someone to the SSA. You will not have to give your name or contact information.
I know of someone who is
I know of someone who is receiving benefits but is still able to purchase marijuana, go out and drink and buy new cars. He recently sold his home and received over $340,000 in cash. He then purchased a new home for $250,000 in cash and has over $100,000 in the bank. He said he won't go to the doctor because he knows they will test him and he'll loose his benefits. I believe this is outrageous! There are so many people who actually deserve these benefits, this man does not!
In reply to I know of someone who is by Linda Wilkins (not verified)
Hi Linda,
Hi Linda,
I am sorry to hear this. Unfortunately there are some people out there that do take advantage of this system.
A friend of mine has an ex
A friend of mine has an ex-wife that is collecting a disability check from the state of Nevada and a disability check from the state of Washington. Is this allowed?
In reply to A friend of mine has an ex by Tim (not verified)
Hi Tim,
Hi Tim,
It's not illegal, but they should always let the SSA know if they change addresses/states.
can someone receive ssi
can someone receive ssi living in two states
In reply to can someone receive ssi by lisa (not verified)
Hi Lisa,
Hi Lisa,
Yes, because Social Security is a federal program, not a state program.
I made what I understand is a
I made what I understand is a serious mistake. In an email I included my SS number. The good/bad news is that it was to the US consulate in Johannesburg South Africa. Is there anyway that I can protect myself against its misuse?
In reply to I made what I understand is a by ian a stone (not verified)
Hi Ian,
Hi Ian,
Sorry to hear that. You can change your Social Security number by filing out a report on the SSA's website.
Add new comment