Reporting Fraud

ICS is committed to the integrity along with the effectiveness of the Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) Program and ensuring that only eligible families and property owners receive benefits in accordance with HCV Program rules and regulations.

By working together we can help ensure that our tax dollars are being used in the manner intended.

Reporting HCV Program Fraud

 What Constitutes Fraud

Fraud involves false statements, omissions or actions made with the intent to deceive, resulting in the misuse of funds or the violation of or eluding of HCV Program rules.  Fraud can be committed by Applicants, Participants, Property Owner/Manager, and/or ICS employees. 

EXAMPLES include but are not limited to:       

• Unreported members staying in household exceeding the allowable timeframe
• Not reporting income or all of the households income
• Subletting the subsidized unit
• Property Owner/Manager accept rental payments for properties that they do not own or represent as a legal agent
• Accept rent payments from tenants exceeding the amount stated in lease
• Renting to relatives without ICS approval

Guidelines for Reporting Fraud

Without sufficient information we will be unable to investigate your allegation.  Your information should include as many of the following as possible:

• Name(s) of the person or people involved
• If unreported household member please provide:
  • Name(s)
  • Description (Height, Weight, Race, Hair Color, Tattoos, etc)
  • Vehicle information (Plate number, Make, Model, Color, etc)
  • Time person(s) can be located at address
• Address(s) of the person or people involved
• What exactly is happening?
• To your knowledge how long has the potential violation been occurring?
• Who else has knowledge of the potential violation?

The information you provide is strictly confidential.  This includes whether you self-identify or remain anonymous. Due to federal regulations, ICS cannot state whether the person(s) in question are on the HCV program.  ICS also cannot comment on actions taken after you have provided your reported allegation.  However, ICS assures you that the information received will be reviewed, investigated if necessary, and the appropriate penalties will be issued if fraudulent activity is substantiated.

What Happens if Fraudulent Activity has been Substantiated

Penalties may include the following, depending on the type and severity.

• Termination from the program
• Prosecution (i.e. fines, imprisonment, etc)
• Repay the subsidy that was improperly paid
• Client will be entered into a National Database.  This will flag other Public Housing Agencies that the client is potentially ineligible for assistance across the country as long as money is owed in Brown County

How to Report Fraud

 Call:   ICS Fraud Hotline: (920) 496-1947

• (Please be as specific as possible in your voicemail message.  If you prefer to talk to us, please leave your name, phone number and the best time to contact you.  All calls are confidential and you may choose to remain anonymous)

Fill out the Fraud Referral Form and submit by:

Mail:

Fax:     (920) 592-1447 Attn: Fraud Specialist                                 
Email:  jasonwe@ics-gb.org

• Edit the form, save to your computer and create an attachment

Please submit one form per incident