This
unit is responsible to investigate all cases of alleged fraud within the
agency. In doing so, the unit
will have the responsibility to perform all investigations, determine the
type, and document the amount of all over payments and submit the cases to
the local district attorneys office for possible criminal prosecution.
The
Fraud Unit is responsible for the recovery of over issuances established due
to investigations by the unit. For
active cases and where appropriate, requests for reductions are sent to the
program area workers to initiate the process recoveries directly from the
client’s grants. For inactive
cases, the unit may seek recoveries via direct payment.
Additionally,
the Fraud Unit is also responsible for the investigation of the income,
resources and assets of applicants applying for benefits as they pertain to
the applicant’s eligibility. Verification
of wages, benefits, bank accounts, insurance, property ownership, and other
related resource information is a requirement in the eligibility process,
and by written request our unit assists other units by sending and/or
receiving information from employers, banks, life insurance companies, in
addition to conducting property deed searches.
Our unit has electronic access to the New York State Department of
Motor Vehicles (DMV) driver license, registration and vehicle identification
inquiry system.
To
make a confidential report concerning welfare fraud, call Toll Free
1-866-843-8759 or Local
746-2388.
