sandyclaus
Senior Member
What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? California
My friend recently found out that her LL applied for and is receiving a low-income discount on her utility bills. I have seen the application form, and I know for certain that she does not qualify based upon the stated maximum allowable gross income level needed to do so.
The LL claims only her income, and does not include any of the rental income she receives, nor does she include the income of ALL household members as it states is required for the application. All household members split the cost of the utility bills.
The friend has always been willing to pay her share, but she sees many out there who NEED and DESERVE the discount, and it irks she and I to see someone cheating the system to get what amounts to a 20% discount when they don't qualify.
She's prepared to report the fraudulent receipt of the discount to the utility company, but would this not also constitute fraud and be criminally prosecutable as well? The application she signed states "All information furnished is true and correct, under penalty of perjury". The penalty from the utility company is to pay back the discounts received and remove the discount, but we think more is warranted.
What do you think? Is this a criminal matter to be reported to the police? Would it do any good? Will the utility company handle that?
My friend recently found out that her LL applied for and is receiving a low-income discount on her utility bills. I have seen the application form, and I know for certain that she does not qualify based upon the stated maximum allowable gross income level needed to do so.
The LL claims only her income, and does not include any of the rental income she receives, nor does she include the income of ALL household members as it states is required for the application. All household members split the cost of the utility bills.
The friend has always been willing to pay her share, but she sees many out there who NEED and DESERVE the discount, and it irks she and I to see someone cheating the system to get what amounts to a 20% discount when they don't qualify.
She's prepared to report the fraudulent receipt of the discount to the utility company, but would this not also constitute fraud and be criminally prosecutable as well? The application she signed states "All information furnished is true and correct, under penalty of perjury". The penalty from the utility company is to pay back the discounts received and remove the discount, but we think more is warranted.
What do you think? Is this a criminal matter to be reported to the police? Would it do any good? Will the utility company handle that?