The welfare system in the United States, as well as many other developed nations around the world, is in place to help those who are unable to work, or experiencing financial hardships for reasons beyond their control. Welfare has always been an extremely controversial issue, and one of the biggest arguments that opponents of the welfare system make is that the system is too easy for people to take advantage of. No matter what your opinion on the welfare system in general is, it’s easy to see why these complaints are being made. The fact is that welfare fraud is an all too common occurrence. Anytime there is easy money to be had, you can expect scammers and con-artists to try and exploit the system. It’s a constant battle between criminals and the Governments of the world. The real victims of these crimes are the tax paying citizens, as well as the people who really do need the Government assistance. So how are these crimes occurring, and what can we do to prevent them?
Common Types Of Welfare Fraud
- Unreported Income: By and far the most common form of welfare fraud. The criminal collects a welfare check, and also receives income from other sources that they don’t report to the Government. The income may come from working “under the table”, from illegal activities such as drug sales, or any number of other sources.
- Absent Parent In The Home: Another very common form of welfare fraud. This is when an individual applies for welfare as a single parent, when the other parent does in fact live in the home.
- Ineligible Child Or Children: This type of welfare fraud occurs when a parent reports children who aren’t in their custody, don’t live in the home, or in some cases, don’t even exist.
- False Aliases: Some people take extreme measures, going as far as creating false identities in order to make one or even multiple welfare claims.
Preventing Welfare Fraud
While detailed statistics are tough to calculate, welfare fraud world wide could potentially cost tax payers billions of dollars every year. Preventing welfare fraud from taking place is a constant struggle for Governments around the world. Computers and new legislation in various jurisdictions are becoming more effective as time goes on at detecting welfare fraud. In some cases though, even with advanced security measures, the fraud can be almost impossible to detect. For example, if someone who is collecting welfare benefits and also has other income sources that they aren’t reporting, it’s virtually impossible to catch them unless they are reported or a Government agency somehow finds out about the unreported income. Citizens can help out as well. Reporting welfare fraud is a huge help to Governments in tracking down and stopping offenders.
June 11th, 2008 at 9:58 am
Good work! Go after these guys too.
A BBC investigation estimates that around $23bn (£11.75bn) may have been lost, stolen or just not properly accounted for in Iraq.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/7444083.stm
August 25th, 2008 at 7:22 am
Good day? I know this person that is getting ssi and not disabled is not using her real name. Yet she her real name is Carmen Crystal Oliver on her birth cert and is using another name on food stamps and ssi and social security….Isn’t this concidered fraud?…The state knows about her name and past record and they are not investigating… This is has been a on going issue with her for a long time. Her mother does the same thing and I would like to know what else can i do or who to talk to in this matter.There is alot more to this story and it is just amazing that nothing has been done.I just think this matter should be investigated some how some way. I just think if people like this can do this how safe are we really with our personal information . I speak for all hard working poeple that there tax monies pay out.
Respectfully
Elizabeth Colon
October 23rd, 2008 at 7:41 am
I have a question. I know a lady who had a child and originally said that she did not know who the father was so she got medicaid and I am fairly sure that she also gets food stamps and welfare. When the child was 18 months old she went after the father for child support which he has been paying for the last @ 9 years. Even though ordered by the court, the mother has not changed the childs birth certificate and still has the child on the medicaid that she has been on since birth. Recently the court has again told her to change the birth certificate. She actually tried to agrue with the judge that the father’s name is on the childs school records. She does not want to change the child’s birth certificate. Would correcting the childs name on the birth certificate and social security set off any flags for the welfare system about the medicaid and welfare assistance that she has been receiving for the last 9 years that she was not entitled to?
Thanks,
Luxey Gormey
October 23rd, 2008 at 8:19 am
The answer could be different for any country. Usually a birth certificate can not be changed, unless he/she has a permit from the partner (husband/wife) with whom she/he has conceived a child OR the one receives a court order.
Certainly, to get child support and welfare you need a birth certificate of that child. That certificate names the mother and the father, if he is known.
It may be a case of where the father that is in the birth certificate, is not really the child’s father. It may be that the woman entered false information and claimed someone as a father, which he is not. It may be that the mother went to the “supposed” father and persuaded him that he is indeed the right father, without any DNA testing. If the father agreed, he was obligated to pay for support.
So yes, if that name is not anymore on the birth certificate, the mother could potentially lose child support.
I would advise you to contact your Public Assistance Fraud Hotline or a fraud hotline in your state/country for the best possible answer.
July 17th, 2009 at 6:55 pm
Any source for the welfare fraud costs billions world wide comment? Also, with world wide GDP around 68,500,000 billion, I don’t think a few billion is really all that much to get worked up about. In fact, it seems quite an accomplishment that it is held to just a few billion considering the potential for fraud.
September 22nd, 2009 at 1:10 pm
For all Welfare Fraud tips go to WE-TIP at http://www.wetip.com and submit a anonymous tip. WE-TIP will forward to the correct State, County, City Agency that can Investigate these issues. Please put as much info as you can address,full names,DOB if poss, any vehicle lic plate numbers, and if these people are working ( list where employed and occupation ). This is so the Fraud Investigator has more options on proving the case and getting them arrested and sentenced. I know because i get these WE-Tips and work as a Welfare Fraud Investigator. Keep up with the tips and yes we go after each person.
October 1st, 2009 at 3:04 pm
I work in the pawn shop industry. Every first of the month, I see the “SCUMBAGS”, that suck the life out of our economy. I support my own children and pay my bills. If you can get off your fat butt and come to the pawn shop to buy game systems and flat screen t.v.’s. You can get a job. Stop being a f#@^ing drain on society, and do your part to make your community a better place.