How Criminals Use Invoices to Defraud the Government
Simply looking at an invoice in isolation may not provide all the information necessary to conclude fraud has occurred, but here are common signs that employees and/or management at a contractor (including healthcare providers that deal in Medicare/Medicaid services) are using invoices to commit fraud:
- Submitting invoices that include services or goods not actually provided
- “Upcoding” or inflating the cost of the services that were actually provided
- “Unbundling” or using multiple entries on invoices for services/goods that should have been collectively listed in order to increase profits
- Submitting duplicate invoices
- Submitting invoices for services not yet provided
- Inflating the costs of materials and services provided by subcontractors
By working with an experienced whistleblower attorney, you can bring an FCA claim to recover the fraudulent income received by the wrongdoer. In general, the initiator of a successful FCA lawsuit is entitled to between 15% and 25% of the government’s total recovery, which often results in a seven-figure payout for the whistleblower.
Bringing an FCA Claim With an Experienced FCA Attorney
At Kreindler & Associates, our focus is on bringing whistleblower claims and we will work with you to evaluate your potential case and guide you through the entire FCA process. An FCA claim is only valid if it has not previously been initiated by another plaintiff or the government, so it is in your interest to speak with an experienced FCA attorney as soon as possible. Contact us today for an evaluation of your allegations.