You’re not trying to start trouble, but you know what you’ve seen isn’t right. Whether it’s fake invoices, padded contracts, or government money going places it shouldn’t, something tells you it’s more than just “how things are done.”
If an individual or company cheats the government to make a profit, it may be a False Claims Act violation. And if you have witnessed that occur, you may have the power to stop it and hold the wrongdoer accountable.
There are patterns to this behavior, and once you know them, they’re easier to spot.
Below are common False Claims Act violation examples to help you understand what qualifies as fraud and whether it’s time to take action.
What Is a False Claim?
The False Claims Act is a federal law that lets people report fraud against the government. It aims to protect taxpayer money by holding individuals and businesses responsible when they defraud the government.
The law outlines seven main types of violations that can lead to serious legal consequences.
These categories cover a wide range of misconduct, including the following:
- False claims with: submitting or causing someone to submit a false request for government payment;
- False records or statements with: using false documents or statements to support a false claim;
- Conspiracy with: working with others to commit a False Claims Act violation;
- Conversion with: keeping government property that should be returned;
- False receipts with: giving a receipt for government property without knowing whether the information is accurate;
- Unlawful purchase of government property with: buying public property from someone who isn’t allowed to sell it; and
- Reverse false claims with: avoiding or underpaying money owed to the government through false records or concealment.
The False Claims Act also encourages whistleblowers to come forward by offering them legal protection from retribution. Through a “qui tam” lawsuit, whistleblowers can sue on the government’s behalf and may receive a portion of any money recovered.
Common False Claims Act Violation Examples
Here are some common False Claims Act examples to help you understand how this plays out in real life.
Billing for Services Not Provided
This happens when a healthcare provider or contractor charges the government for services that were never actually performed. It might include billing for a patient appointment that never took place, a medical test that the patient canceled, or work that the entity never completed. Even small false claims can add up over time.
Lying About the Quality or Quantity of Goods
Some companies promise to deliver high-quality goods or services to the government, but then they cut corners to save money. They may use cheaper materials, skip safety checks, or provide fewer units than promised.
Kickbacks and Illegal Referral Schemes
Kickbacks are payments or rewards given in exchange for referrals. In government-funded healthcare and military programs, this is illegal. A common scenario is when a doctor refers patients to a lab or medical supplier in return for cash, gifts, or bonuses. These deals are often disguised through fake consulting agreements or marketing payments, but they still qualify as fraud under the False Claims Act.
False Certifications of Compliance
Government contractors must certify that they meet certain legal or regulatory requirements like safety standards, staffing levels, or eligibility rules. If a company lies about being in compliance to keep receiving payment, that’s fraud. For instance, a home health agency might claim its nurses are properly licensed when they aren’t in order to keep billing Medicare.
Improper Use of Grant Funds
Federal grants come with strict rules about how the money can be used. Misusing grant funds can lead to whistleblower claims. Even if some of the work is legitimate, lying about how funds are spent can be fraud.
Covering Up Data Breaches or Patient Privacy Violations
Government contractors may be required to report data breaches under their contracts and other federal rules. When an organization hides a data breach to avoid fines or bad publicity and continues to bill the government as if it’s in full compliance, it could constitute a False Claims Act violation.
If You Decide to File a Qui Tam Lawsuit, What Happens Next?
Once a whistleblower files a claim under the False Claims Act, the government investigates and decides whether to take over the case. If the lawsuit succeeds through settlement or trial, the whistleblower may receive a percentage of the amount recovered.
Whistleblowers help protect public funds and keep government programs honest. Federal law also protects whistleblowers from retaliation, such as firing or harassment, for reporting fraud.
Work with Reese Marketos LLP to Report Fraud
If you’ve seen something that looks like one of these examples or otherwise indicates fraud on the government, you may have the right to file a whistleblower case and possibly receive a portion of the recovery. The law is there to protect you, but the process can be complex. That’s where we come in.
At Reese Marketos LLP, we represent whistleblower plaintiffs in False Claim Act violation cases. Our legal team includes former federal prosecutors and experienced trial lawyers who have helped whistleblowers uncover fraud, protect their rights, and recover hundreds of millions of dollars on the government’s behalf. We’ve been recognized by The National Law Journal, Law360, and Chambers for our work in high-stakes litigation and trial work across the country.
Contact us online or call (214) 382-9810 today to schedule a confidential consultation. We’ll help you understand whether you have a case, what your next steps should be, and how to protect your future.