NCJ Number
53566
Date Published
1978
Length
11 pages
Annotation
THE NATIONAL IMPACT IS DISCUSSED OF FALSE IDENTIFICATION FRAUD ON PROGRAMS THAT INVOLVE PAYMENTS TO SELECTED INDIVIDUALS BY STATE, LOCAL, AND FEDERAL GOVERNMENTS.
Abstract
FOUR AREAS, EACH OF WHICH INVOLVES PROGRAMS OF NATIONAL SCOPE, WERE INVESTIGATED BY THE JUSTICE DEPARTMENT'S FEDERAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON FALSE IDENTIFICATION. THESE AREAS INCLUDED THE FOLLOWING: (1) AID TO FAMILIES WITH DEPENDENT CHILDREN; (2) MEDICAID; (3) THE FOOD STAMP PROGRAM; AND (4) FOUR PROGRAMS ADMINISTERED BY THE SOCIAL SECURITY ADMINISTRATION. GOVERNMENT PAYMENT PROGRAMS ARE SUBJECT TO FALSE IDENTIFICATION FRAUD IN BOTH THEIR 'APPLICATION' AND 'USE' PHASES. ALL THE PROGRAMS STUDIED BY THE COMMITTEE REQUIRE SOME SORT OF APPLICATION FOR FUTURE BENEFITS. DURING THIS APPLICATION PHASE, APPLICANTS ARE ASKED TO IDENTIFY THEMSELVES AND ANY BENEFICIARIES ON WHOSE BEHALF PROGRAM BENEFITS ARE SOUGHT. THE TYPES OF IDENTIFICATION DOCUMENTS REQUIRED BY STATE AGENCIES WERE FOUND TO VARY WIDELY, RANGING FROM NONE AT ALL TO A SELF-CONSISTENT SET OF OFFICIAL DOCUMENTS. THE MOST COMMON DOCUMENTS USED IN FRAUD SITUATIONS APPEARED TO BE BIRTH CERTIFICATES, DRIVER'S LICENSES, AND SOCIAL SECURITY CARDS. FRAUDULENT DOCUMENTS ARE OBTAINED IN A NUMBER OF WAYS. BIRTH CERTIFICATES ARE USUALLY GENUINE DOCUMENTS THAT HAVE BEEN ALTERED AND PHOTOCOPIED. DRIVER'S LICENSES ARE USUALLY GOTTEN THROUGH THEFT AND SOCIAL SECURITY CARDS BY ESTABLISHING FALSE ACCOUNTS. FALSE IDENTIFICATIONS HAVE BEEN USED IN THE 'USE' PHASE WHEN PERSONS FRAUDULENTLY ASSUME THE IDENTITY OF OTHERS TO COLLECT THEIR BENEFITS. THIS MOST COMMONLY OCCURS IN THE CASHING OF STOLEN GOVERNMENT CHECKS OR FOOD STAMPS. APPARENTLY, MANY BANKS AND BUSINESSES ARE WILLING TO CASH THESE WITHOUT ADEQUATE IDENTIFICATION OF THE ENDORSER. TABULAR DATA ARE INCLUDED.