Types of Fraud Perpetrated
Fraud against the American government has been perpetuated by the unscrupulous since our country’s founding. During the Revolutionary and Civil Wars military suppliers would sell troops dry-rotted uniforms, bullets filled with sawdust instead of gunpowder, old and blind horses. Yet these suppliers would charge prices as if the products were adequate.
While fraud has become more widespread as new industries and businesses have multiplied over the decades, some of the types of fraud have remained consistent, including overcharging for goods or services; falsifying billing documentation; billing for payment for services which were never provided; holding government property for fraudulent purposes; knowingly providing defective or dangerous products; falsely certifying information for the entitlement of benefits; having any false claim paid by the government.
There is no shortage of fraud against the government and no industry is immune. It is the whistleblower who initiates 80% of the fraud that is exposed. Still, the vast majority of fraud against the government goes undetected.