Community Chat

[JustJazzmom]

On 3/15/2015 Ilikeshade said:

Thanks for the info justjazzmom. Sorry for your loss.

Thank you Ilikeshade. It has been a learning experience for me.

[LucyGoose]

60 minute segment on Social Security

It's on her because she never contacted the SSA and let them know that her mother died. She played dumb. If it were me, I would have called SS, let them know what happened, and then followed it up with a certified letter showing that I did contact the SSA about this matter. If SS dropped the ball and kept sending checks anyway (which I imagine could very well happen), then I would have my documented proof showing where they were contacted.

[RainCityGirl]

On 3/15/2015 Irshgrl31201 said:

Ignorantia juris non excusat.

[VanSleepy]

My father retired when I was in college, and I was getting a SS benefit. When I wasn't attending anymore, I notified them - two phone calls and twice in writing. They kept sending checks every month. But, geez, even as a 21 year old, I knew that wasn't my money! It took them about a year to finally ask for it back.

[Lucky Charm]

So how much did this woman collect illegally?

I'm surprised it's only one year in jail, it's insurance fraud.

[Shorty2U]

Wow that's messed up. I have a saying (which I usually say when I hear on the news that people try to avoid taxes), Never mess with Uncle Sam!, and I don't :-)

[ROMARY]

Maybe her mother was speaking of her retirement benefits (or whatever) from a previous company and/or insurance policy. Sometimes folks say certain things when they mean something else.

[missy1]

The woman got 160,000 in 30 years, and a year in jail.

[maryebrown_1]

I missed the show.

All I can say is, there's been a whole lot of FRAUD going on (and, for MANY YEARS prior to the advent of the Internet, and they heartily reaped the Benefits)...and Now, there are The Governmental Computers that have finally figured all of this out.

However, the Beneficiaries (those who had engaged in, and benefited from, their Fraudulent behaviors) have long been deceased. Then there are those who possess the knowledge and are in the process of dying (who ALSO received fraudulent benefits with the Will of the of their predecessor -- with full knowledge of the fraud that was perpetrated).

I think that ANYONE who is still living/and had benefited from the fraud should be PROSECUTED to the fullest extent of the Law while they are alive, AND upon their death, the Government should immediately enforce a Lien/Levy against any 'provisions' stated in that person's Estate/Will !

[sophiamarie]

That woman is no dummy. She knew darn well those checks didn't belong to her because they were made out to her mother.

I don't know why 60 Minutes was so easy on her, saying that she really didn't need the money because she and her husband were making a good living, both having good jobs, etc. Yet, she never made any effort to call SSA or just refuse the checks. She thought she would get away with it and she did for 30 years......Now, she will go to jail for a year and I wonder if she has to pay that money back?

She said she and her mother spoke before mom's death, and mom said she would be entitled to money. So, she thought that was the money??? LOL