SSI Fraud

[guiltyconscious]

I have a friend who's parent died 3 years ago. After the parents death she continued to receive the SSI direct deposits into a joint account she shared with the parent. She has failed to return these deposits for the last three years. She is a single parent and needed the money. She is conceded about what the legal ramifications are if she is found out. She has no criminal record and has never had any legal troubles.Should she turn herself in? Should I turn her in? She lives in Virginia. She is terrified she will go to jail and lose her children. Is a jail sentence.common for this type if offense?

[Janke]

She committed a crime. She needs a real lawyer. She needs to stop committing the crime. She needs to make restitution.

Always better if she turns herself in that if she gets caught.

So what that she needed the money. She should have gotten a first, second or third job instead. Or married the father. Or lived cheaper. She committed fraud and theft. Not only can there be restitution, there can be penalties. There could be jail. Has she stopped spending the money that she is getting illegally? It is all traceable back to her. I have zero pity for her. Even less if she is still spending the money.

[guiltyconscious]

It is traceable back to her I would assume because it was a joint account. I would think that through bank statements it's traceable.