Auditors: Thousands of fake or dead people enrolled in government phone program

Sacramento Bee ^ | June 29, 2017 | Lindsay Wise

[artichokegrower]

One in three people enrolled in a government-subsidized phone program might not qualify for the service, with thousands of accounts belonging to either fake or dead people, according to a government audit released Thursday.

The oversight is costing taxpayers more than $100 million worth of improper payments per year, according to the audit by the Government Accountability Office, a nonpartisan federal watchdog.the audit n audit released on Thursday.

[artichokegrower]

Lifeline paid $1.5 billion in subsidies last year to more than 12 million households. But an estimated 36 percent of the program’s subscribers might be ineligible for enrollment, according to the audit.

Any you want these people to be in charge of your healthcare?

[artichokegrower]

Where’s my Obama Phone!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NAjNqIwYcdI

[Drango]

Who knew? (Everybody)

[RedStateRocker]

A program started under President Bush.

The original implementation made some sense- if someone is actively looking for work, it’s nearly impossible to get an interview without a phone for prospective employers to reach you on.

[null and void]

But but but we let them use their voter registration cards as ID when they picked up their phones!

[Governor Dinwiddie]

[Robert A Cook PE]

Thousands? Million+!

[hal ogen]

These auditors receive today’s NSS (No Sh** Sherlock) Award. Captain Obvious will present the award later today.

[PeterPrinciple]

Yes, but she did wake up.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dLZuKGTZlEY

[Red Badger]

I knew that would be her!.........................

[ptsal]

When will someone audit Sacramento’s free electric car?

Sacramento has a collection of looney programs.

[Red Badger]

I totally disagree with this.

36 Percent should be 97 Percent....................

[FreedomPoster]

I just saw a billion Jon Ossoff ads talking about cutting government waste during his unsuccessful run for the GA 6th District. Funny, but he never talked about waste like this.

[w1andsodidwe]

Every time I drive around town I see the pop up that says FREE PHONES. What could go wrong with a distribution method like that?

Every free phone they give away, results in the person handing them out getting money from the government. And of course the government keeps paying for these phones month after month. What is the incentive to only give phones to those legally qualified?

[Vlad The Inhaler]

"Thousands of fake or dead people enrolled in government phone program"

"Fake" or "Dead" are disrespectful and unacceptable terms.

A more socially acceptable and PC term is for these people is "Virtual Voters".

"Virtual Voters" actually constitute one of the democrats most reliable voting blocs.

[Vlad The Inhaler]

Who knew?

She Knew...

[P.O.E.]

And to what corporation(s) did said money go? Did we ever hear them complain about it, or are they in on it?

Similarly - I wonder how much EBT goes to Walmart?

[rdl6989]

I’m shocked, shocked I tell you!

[JimRed]

So the money for the fake/dead enrollees goes to the phone companies providing the service? Or have individuals within those companies found a way to skim it off?

[JimRed]

What is the incentive to only give phones to those legally qualified?

A fine and some jail time might help.