Media Contact: 
Sharon Diskin, (202) 418-0470
sharon.diskin@fcc.gov

For Immediate Release

FCC INSPECTOR GENERAL ISSUES ADVISORY REGARDING FRAUD IN THE LIFELINE PROGRAM
  -- 
WASHINGTON, April 16, 2019— The FCC’s Office of Inspector General has issued an advisory to alert Lifeline carriers, beneficiaries, and the public to a number of fraudulent enrollment practices found pervasive across the IG’s ongoing investigations targeting Lifeline carriers and the carriers’ sales agents. 
 
Many of these enrollment practices rely on identity fraud and the manipulation of personal information, including enrollee names, to evade the program’s safeguards.  The advisory describes simple tricks used by fraudsters to create phantom enrollments.  Such fraud results in substantial losses to the USF every year and diverts telecom support away from the program’s intended beneficiaries.    

“Our office is committed to using every tool at our disposal to fight fraud, waste, and abuse in the Lifeline program,” said FCC Inspector General David Hunt.  “My hope is that this advisory will deter fraudulent practices by educating and warning program stakeholders.”

The advisory is available at https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/DOC-357035A1.pdf.

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Media Relations: (202) 418-0500 / ASL: (844) 432-2275 / TTY: (888) 835-5322 / Twitter: @FCC / www.fcc.gov 

This is an unofficial announcement of Commission action.  Release of the full text of a Commission order constitutes official action.  See MCI v. FCC, 515 F.2d 385 (D.C. Cir. 1974).