How to Report Fraud in Washington

Identity theft and credit card fraud are relatively common types of fraud.

Fraud comes in a variety of forms, including welfare fraud, identity theft, workers' compensation fraud, tax fraud and consumer fraud. People who commit fraud take money that is not theirs, unfairly receive things by posing as other people or faking injuries and illnesses to get benefits. Washington state has different agencies that people can report fraud to, depending on the type of fraud. In general, reporting fraud in Washington involves contacting a government agency on the phone, in writing or over the Internet.

Instructions

1. Decide what type of fraud has been committed. The Washington State Department of Labor and Industries describes injured workers' fraud as fraud when a person collects workers' compensation by faking an injury, health care provider fraud as fraud when a health care provider bills for care it did not provide, and employer fraud as when an employer under-reports an injured workers hours to avoid paying the correct amount of workers' compensation. The state describes state tax and license fraud as evasion of tax payments by businesses or citizens. Welfare fraud is when a person lies to unfairly receive welfare benefits. Consumer fraud occurs when a business sells and refuses to fix or replace a new car that does not work or when a business lies to consumers. Identity theft is another common type of fraud in Washington.

2. Collect as much information about the fraud as possible. Before contacting a state agency to report fraud, gather information and evidence such as credit card bills with false charges, a bill for health care or another service an agency did not perform or a contract signed for the purchase and warranty of a new product that broke down. The more evidence the state has about a fraud, the more quickly it can convict a criminal.

3. 

   Report fraud by phone or online.

   Contact the appropriate state agency to report the fraud. The United Council on Welfare Fraud suggests calling the state's Department of Social and Human Services Division of Fraud Investigations at 360-664-5767 to report welfare fraud . To report tax or license fraud, the state asks people to either call the Department of Revenue at 800-647-7706 or complete an online form on the Department of Revenue's website. To report workers' compensation fraud or employer fraud, contact the state at 888-811-5974 or report the fraud online at the Department of Labor and Industries' website. Report consumer fraud and identity theft to the Washington Attorney General by completing an online form or printing a form from the website and mailing it in.

Tips & Warnings

• Report fraud as quickly as possible.

References

• Washington State Department of Labor and Industries: Report Workers' Comp Fraud
• Washington State Department of Revenue: Reporting Washington State Tax and License Fraud
• United Council on Welfare Fraud: Report Fraud Contact Page
• Washington State Department of Labor and Industries: Contact Us -- Fraud Prevention and Compliance
• Washington State Office of the Attorney General: File a Complaint

Resources

• Washington State Department of Revenue: Contact Us
• Washington State Department of Labor and Industries: Report Employer Premium Fraud
• Washington State Department of Labor and Industries: Report Claim Fraud
• Washington State Office of the Attorney General: Credit Freeze/Fraud Alert