Can you report someone who is falsely applying for SSI benefits?

Question

I know a guy who is working for cash right now, he says he hurt his back a couple years ago & is applying for Social Security benefits. He is completely capable of working. He mows his yard, helped build a huge deck, snowmobiles & rides ATV's. I think he is completely taking advantage of the system & would like to have him investigated, but I don't know if I am too late. He has a hearing for SS on June 13th. It's losers like that, that will ruin it for my husband & myself when we go to retire.

Answer 1

you should always report people who are trying to get over on the system. call the local ssn division and get investigation started.

Answer 2

I'm against SS fraud but be careful. The guy could have a serious mental disorder that keeps him from working but doesn't prevent him from doing chores around the house. Also, if the guy is a fake, he'll just get a lawyer and probably win.

Answer 3

If you can prove he's working for cash then it's your duty to report him. Sounds like he's trying to beat the system!! Which will ruin it for other people in the future that really need it. Maybe if you can attend his hearing then you can mention it to someone there.

Answer 4

You MUST!

You are never too late to turn someone in for defrauding the system. If I knew this were happening, I would be on the phone so fast.

Just search around on the net for a phone number for reporting SSI fraud. They have entire departments that investigate fraud.

Answer 5

Directly from SSA's government website with the hyperlink below, here is the information you need to report fraud. You can remain anonymous if you choose to do so.

" What Do I Need to Know When Contacting the Hotline?
The information you provide to us is very important and we encourage you to provide details about your complaint. To act on your allegation, we need you to provide as much identifying information as possible regarding the suspect, victim, and the details of what occurred. The more you can tell us, the better chance we have of determining whether a crime has been committed. Your information should include the following:

Who committed the Fraud? (Include Suspect Name, SSN, Date of Birth, Address, and Telephone Number)
Who the Victims are? (Include Victim Name, SSN, Date of Birth, Address, and
Telephone Number)
What exactly did the suspect do?
Where did the fraud take place?
When did it happen?
How was the Fraud committed?
Do you know why the person committed the fraud?
Who else has knowledge of the potential violation?



May I Remain Anonymous?
Yes. Please keep in mind that, if you choose to remain anonymous, our inability to contact you may limit our ability to conduct a complete investigation.




Will My Identity Remain Confidential?
In some instances, informants may believe that the disclosure of their identities may create problems or place them in danger. We will protect the identity of complainants to the maximum extent allowed by law and only release your identity to those officials who have a need to know. Specifically, Section 7(b) of the Inspector General Act of 1978 precludes the IG from disclosing the identity of a Social Security employee who reports an allegation or provides information, without the employee's consent, unless the IG determines that disclosure is unavoidable during the course of the investigation. Non-SSA employees who report allegations may also request confidentiality.




What Can I Expect if I Make A Report to the Hotline?
We are very interested in the information you have regarding fraud in SSA programs. If you send us your complaint by US mail or fax, we will send you an acknowledgement letter if you have provided us with your mailing address. If you send us an allegation by email, an acknowledgement will be sent automatically to the email address you provide to us on your complaint. However, we cannot provide information regarding what action we have taken on any allegation reported to our office. Federal regulations prohibit the disclosure of information contained in law enforcement records even to the individual making the allegation. Unless you are contacted directly by one of our investigators, there will be no further communication from our office. Under no circumstances will we provide you with the "status" of action taken on the allegation.

If you are an SSA employee, SSA may not take action against you solely because of your submission of an allegation to the SSA OIG hotline. Federal laws protect employees from reprisals by their employers for "blowing the whistle" on illegal activity.




How Do I Contact the Fraud Hotline?
Individuals have a variety of ways to report fraud to us. Individuals can contact us by:

Internet: Fraud Reporting Form
U.S. Mail: Social Security Fraud Hotline
P.O. Box 17768
Baltimore, Maryland 21235
FAX: [phone]
Telephone: [phone] from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time
TTY: 1-866-501-2101 for the deaf or hard of hearing.
"

Answer 6

From your house where you can't be seen, take some video of him doing some of this stuff around his house. Then contact the local FBI and ask them who you need to contact so you can turn some evidence over about a fraud case. Make sure you always keep a copy for yourself just in case the one you turn in would get lost (and get a receipt for the one you turn in).

IRS might be interested in what is going on, too, but you'd have to be able to prove he is getting paid under the table so that might be harder for you to try and prove.

And don't worry about when his hearing is. Even if he goes and gets approved, you will be able to gather evidence and they can go after him and make him pay it back.

A round of applause to you for being honest and not being afraid to report it. We need more honest people in this world.

Answer 7

You probably could but why are you being a hater! People get over all the time. You see fifty dollars on the ground while your at acme, do you go and give it to the manager and repot it? No you keep it. America is survival of the fittest you either sink or swim and sometimes you have to cheat alittle to get by. Plus you dont know that mans stae of health, he may appear healthy but may be in pain and is working because he has no choice even if he is in pain. You remind me of the noisey lady who sits in her window all in everyones business. Do us all a favor and mind yours!

Answer 8

Is it Disability Social Security or is he just retiring.

If he is retiring he is just as qualified as you or I to receive benefits. He can also have some earned income. Do you see his tax return and know that he is not reporting his cash income.

Answer 9

Please do report him. There is a big enough strain on the system without paying someone who was undeserving.

Answer 10

I say it is your 'duty" to turn the bum in!!!!!!