Noteboom The Law Firm

Social Security Fraud Case

Those who take advantage of Social Security are likely to be prosecuted to the full extent of the law, at least according to recent cases in the news. Fortunately, most Social Security disability recipients have a real need for the money and depend on it to live. However, there are a few highly publicized cases in which people without a disability resorted to shocking ways of obtaining the money.

One recent case involves Montana resident Summer ManyWhiteHorses, who is accused of fraud and negligent homicide according to ABCMontana.com. Her now deceased 2-year-old son received Social Security disability checks due to his autism. The money was supposed to go toward his care, but instead went to his mother after his death.

It is estimated that her son died in May, and was left in the trunk of her car until September, when she was apprehended. Aside from the almost unbelievable fact that she left her deceased son in her car trunk for four months, she is also in trouble for both misusing funds meant for him and lying to the Social Security Administration. In July, she claimed that she never received a check. When she was sent a replacement, she cashed both the original and the new one.

In total, she cashed $3,808 in checks after the death of her son, likely beginning the day after he died. It is unreported how she got caught, but the Social Security Administration does provide a hotline to report people who others suspect are abusing the system. Anyone who does not mention the death of a beneficiary, or cashes checks meant for someone not under their care, is subject to consequences.

Fraudulent social security disability claims damage the credibility of claimants with bonafide ailments and drain the system of funds. If you know someone who you suspect of such offenses, you are encouraged to report the violations. Though most cases are not typically as appalling as ManyWhiteHorses', it is possible that reporting suspicious activity could bring such people to justice.

Fort Lauderdale, Florida disability lawyers, LaVan & Neidenberg, represent over 5000 disability claimants. Our disability attorneys have experience with cross examining agency-appointed medical and vocational experts and take time when speaking with you about your disability claim. Call us today at 1-888-234-5758 for a FREE legal consultation. There is NO OBLIGATION to hire our firm and there are NO FEES unless one of our trained disability lawyers wins your case.