What do I do if I know a soldier is committing fraud?

SPC(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 29 Dec 2020 01:37:01 -0500

I have a soldier (PFC) that I know is commiting fraud. She is being paid with dependents, collecting BAH and receiving BAS while not being responsible for her child. She does have a child, but I know the child lives with the soldier's mother and the soldier does not support the child in any way. S1 has expressed they do not know what to do without proof.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 29 at 2020 2:31 AM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 29 Dec 2020 02:31:15 -0500

Take this thru your Chain. If the Soldier in question is receiving BAH/BAS with the directions to provide support financially with said BAH/BAS and they are not doing it, then an audit can be done (which is to say that they can ask for proof of payment by either checks, direct deposit information, all kinds of ways) to show whether or not the Soldier in question is doing what they are supposed to be doing. Now, if the Soldier in question does not have custody, then they shouldn't be receiving said BAH/BAS (although I could be wrong).

Again, report this thru your Chain. Let them handle it. Let them initiate the 15-6

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 29 at 2020 4:35 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 29 Dec 2020 04:35:41 -0500

That's not fraud. Fraud would be collecting BAH for a person who is not their department. Fraud would be if the SM was overseas and collecting BAH for a location other than the actual location of the dependents. Fraud is a criminal offense and handled by CID. If this Soldier isn't committing an illegal act, then it's probably not fraud. If the Soldier is the primary legal custodial parent then they are entitled to BAH for the dependent.

What you're describing is a Soldier failing to support their family. This is a command issue and usually handled when the person who is not receiving support contacts the chain of command. If you know they are not supporting their child you can talk to your chain of command and company commander about it. AR 608-99 discusses family support and the amounts the Soldier is required to pay.

As long as the Soldier can legally claim the child as a dependent they are entitled to the BAH. However, as long as they are entitled to BAH they are obligated to spend a portion of that on their dependents.

Response by SSgt Christophe Murphy made Dec 29 at 2020 8:49 AM

SSgt Christophe Murphy — Tue, 29 Dec 2020 08:49:00 -0500

Report it up the chain to your next Supervisor in line. Let them walk that dog. It isn't necessarily fraud from what you describe but there should be providing funds for the dependent. This is comparable to zoning issues on somebody's property. The authorities generally don't act until a complaint is submitted and an offended party identifies themselves.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 29 at 2020 3:39 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 29 Dec 2020 15:39:17 -0500

This does not sound like fraud. Unless you know the whole story it may be best to stay in your lane on this on. Maybe the soldier told her mother she would give her money and the mother said don’t worry about it right now. Also it’s sometimes hard to prove what someone isn’t doing. She has a legal dependent and whet through the proper steps to add the child.

Response by SFC Kelly Fuerhoff made Dec 29 at 2020 5:50 PM

SFC Kelly Fuerhoff — Tue, 29 Dec 2020 17:50:14 -0500

How exactly do you know what the soldier is or isn't providing for her dependent?

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 29 at 2020 6:33 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 29 Dec 2020 18:33:07 -0500

Until Grandma comes crying for her BAH support the soldier is in the clear.