Elderly Man Charged with Social Security Fraud

Identity theft is a very real danger, and in some of the more startling cases, it can be used to commit fraud against government entities. One example is when someone steals the identity of a deceased friend, relative or acquaintance and uses that person's identity to obtain Social Security disability benefits or Supplemental Security Income payments in the deceased person's name.

These relatively rare, but serious, occurrences merely hinder the process for those individuals who are eligible for and deserve Social Security disability benefits.  

OregonLive.com reports an 80-year-old man was recently charged with using his deceased brother's Social Security number and name to unlawfully obtain Supplemental Security Income (SSI) payments for the past 13 years. The accused man began receiving benefits in 1997, despite the fact that his brother had died in 1989, a detail that slipped past the SSA for more than a decade.

The accused man collected roughly $6,000 each year, amounting to nearly $87,000 throughout the years. The man was also receiving his own retirement benefits at the time. Additionally, he admitted to using his brother's name to vote in his county, while also voting under his own name. He was caught because of a voter fraud investigation, at which time he also mentioned the fraudulent SSI checks.

He has pleaded not guilty to theft of government funds and Social Security fraud; both felony counts.

If you believe you are eligible for Social Security disability benefits and are frustrated by the application process, you have the option of seeking help for your claim. Contact a Social Security Disability lawyer immediately to learn about your rights and determine eligibility. The process of securing Social Security Disability and/or Supplemental Security Income benefits can be difficult and overwhelming. Don't go it alone! The attorneys at LaVan & Neidenberg, located in Atlanta, Georgia, understand the inner workings of the Social Security Administration and will help you navigate the system. Call us today for a FREE legal consultation - 1-888-234-5758.