Welfare Fraud Crackdown Continues in Broome

Broome County says its on-going crackdown on welfare fraud has netted over $9.6 million in potential payments in 2015.

If the illegally obtained benefits were not recovered, taxpayers would have been on the hook for two million dollars of it.

County officials say most people who truly need help are honest and, sometimes, mistakes are made. But authorities are cracking down on people who intentionally “try to get something for nothing.”

Investigations last year of over 12,000 welfare cases resulted in 335 non-criminal disqualifications.

Anyone who suspects someone is getting benefits they may not be entitled to can report it at www.gobroomecounty.com and click on the Social Services Fraud Reporting form.

Officials say people making a report don’t have to include their name and phone number but it would be helpful if authorities need additional information.