Reporting Benefit Fraud

Reporting benefit fraud is a fairly simple task and many states have anonymous tip lines. When reporting benefit fraud, you should not take the task lightly. Ensure you have all the proper facts in place before reporting benefit fraud to the appropriate welfare department. Filing a false report can land the reporter into trouble because filling false reports are considered illegal.

To report benefit fraud you:

1. First, you will need to identify the type of benefit fraud that is being committed. For example, know if the person is committing Social Security benefit fraud, food stamp benefit fraud (SNAP Benefits), Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) or Medicare fraud.
2. Locate the state’s office for the type of benefit fraud you will be reporting.
3. Ensure that you have gathered all facts about the person: their name, known address, the fraud they are committing and the proof or knowledge about the fraud. For example, if you know someone is falsely claiming that they are unemployed and they are receiving benefits, you will need to know the company the person is working for and possibly, a picture of the person working. If you know someone is falsely using an access device card (SNAP or TANF) you will want to note the time, location and any other type of noteworthy information about the fraud.

To report Social Security fraud, you will want to contact:

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

Phone number: 1-800-269-0271 
Fax number: 410-597-0118

To report Medicare fraud, you will want to contact:

Office of the Inspector General 

HHS TIPS Hotline 
P.O. Box 23489 
Washington, DC 20026

Phone number: 1-866-417-2078 
Fax number: 1-800-223-2164 

To report TANF or SNAP fraud, you will need to report to your states welfare department.