White collar crime is a broad category that encompasses a wide range of illegal activity that can occur in the workplace, or a workplace-like setting. These crimes are nonviolent, but they can be disastrous for the finances of individuals and businesses.
The Investigation, Revenue and Enforcement Administration, or IREA, is the investigative branch of the government that investigates white collar crimes. The IREA employs practices and techniques that use the following approaches:
- Uses data matches and data analytics: The agency uses this approach when working in the field to uncover information about fraudulent activities.
- Front-end review and detection programs: These programs are used to prevent fraudulent or inappropriate enrollment in government-sponsored social programs.
What happens if you are called for an interview?
If you are contacted by the Bureau of Fraud Investigation, it may be for any number of reasons. Even if you are called to come and interview in person or you are scheduled to speak on the phone, it does not necessarily mean that you have done something wrong. If that does happen, however, you will want to be prepared so it is important for you to have your photo identification with you as well as whatever was listed on the letter that you received asking you to interview.
Reporting fraud and abuse
Unfortunately, fraud and abuse can easily happen all over the place and the result of a person who commits fraud and gets away with it is that everyone else pays. The result is higher health care costs and higher taxes for everyone. It is important that if you become aware of a person committing fraud, that you not only understand what is happening but that you also know what to do about it and to whom to report the fraud. If you feel that the fraud has been committed in connection with your health care, you would want to start by contacting your health care provider.
There is specific information that you will need to provide when you call, such as the name of your provider, the allegedly fraudulent item, and a statement from the insurance that it was paid. In such a situation, it is good to know how to protect yourself from fraud. The way that you can do that is by protecting your Social Security number and health insurance number and closely guarding any other information that you consider to be proprietary or sensitive.
Solid advice from an New York attorney who deals with fraud cases
If you have been accused of fraud, the support and advice of a New York fraud attorney may be tremendously valuable to your case. The attorney can educate you about how to protect your rights as well as hopefully getting the charges against you minimized or dismissed. Not only is your future in jeopardy if you are charged with fraud but your reputation will also be on the line. It is important to leave your legal troubles behind you as soon as you can so that you can look to a bright future.