Do you know a Public Housing tenant or a Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher (HCVP) participant who is:

• Not reporting that the head of household’s significant other/life partner lives in the unit;
• Not reporting everyone living in the unit, even if they’re just “staying there”;
• Not reporting that a family member has started work or has unreported income like an undeclared in-home childcare business (A home-based business is allowed as long as the tenant has declared the income from it.);
• Not reporting that children have left home;
• Renting out the assisted unit, or a bedroom in the assisted unit, to someone else; or
• Falsifying documents or signatures.

Do you know an HCVP Landlord who is:

• Soliciting and/or receiving extra rent on the side;
• Renting to relatives without approval from the Central Falls Housing Authority (CFHA);
• Accepting payment from the CFHA for a vacant unit, or a unit in which the program participant no longer lives; or
• Living in the same unit as the family that is being subsidized.

If you do, you know someone who is committing housing fraud!

Housing fraud is any action or failure to act that allows a Public Housing tenant, Housing Choice Voucher Program participant, or HCVP landlord to receive benefits for which the person doesn’t qualify. A person who knowingly withholds information fails to report a change in the family’s circumstances, or otherwise engages in activity prohibited by program regulations is committing an act of fraud.

The vast majority of families receiving housing assistance from the CFHA and HCVP landlords are honest and follow program rules. Regardless, the CFHA is committed to the integrity and effectiveness of its housing programs and operations. This includes preventing, detecting, and prosecuting waste, fraud, and abuse when it does happen – including by using tips, whether self-identified or anonymous.

You Can Help by Reporting Fraud

Help keep the money where it belongs–assisting families in need who meet program qualifications. You should report incidences of fraud promptly while the facts are still fresh in your mind. The CFHA’s Report Fraud Form is a confidential way to report fraud. Provide as much information as you can. Describe what happened in detail. Around what dates did you notice the suspect activity? Are there documents that support your claim (such as a side contract between the owner and tenant, a phone bill proving residence at another location, etc.)? Also, it’s very helpful if you have the names and contact information of people willing to talk to an investigator.

You don’t have to give us your name. Even if you do, it will be kept confidential.

Please submit only one form per incident.

Apart from fraud, you may observe something that you suspect is unlawful. Suspected crimes should always be promptly reported to the Central Falls Police Department.

All Reports Are Kept Confidential

The information that you provide to the CFHA is strictly confidential. When information is brought forward about possible fraud, the Fraud Investigator conducts an independent investigation–without revealing the name of any person that has brought information to the CFHA’s attention. In conducting the investigation, the Fraud Investigator may review documents, interview neighbors, employers and others, conduct surveillance, and question suspects. The Fraud Investigator may review police records, use computer databases of information such as income, assets, and places of residence, and work with other law enforcement agencies.

If the Fraud Investigator finds that a case cannot be proven without using information that would reveal the identity of the informant, the Fraud Investigator will contact you for permission to release your identity. If you don’t give permission, your name will not be used but the case may not be able to go forward.

Because of confidentiality requirements, the CFHA is not able to make any statements regarding the status of any investigation or results. Investigations and the process of terminating housing assistance and prosecuting the offender can be lengthy. Don’t assume that no action is being taken simply because you continue to see the family living in the same unit.

Penalties for Public Housing tenants or HCVP Participants Who Commit Fraud Include:

• Termination from the Program
• Recapture of over-payments
• Criminal prosecution
• Debarment from participating in the Program

Penalties for Property Owners Who Commit Fraud Include:

• Termination of the Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) Contract
• Recapture of HAP payments
• Prosecution under federal statutes