Back in November 2011 we reported that the Federal Communications Commission (more commonly known as the FCC) was investigating allegations that the Lifeline Assistance free government cell phone program was awash in fraud. The agency’s initial survey indicated that as many as 269,000 people in 12 states were violating program rules in one way or another.
Now we are happy to report that the FCC has begun its crackdown and booted 130,000 cheats out of the program for having more than one free phone.
How easy is it to cheat the system? The CBS-TV affiliate in Albany, New York reports that local resident Monique Crawford has dozens of the free government cell phones.
“Each and every one of these phones work, at home I know I have about 30 and all of them are on,” Crawford said without a hint of shame. Although Crawford qualifies for the Lifeline Assistance program, she admits that she’s been scamming the system. “It takes me 5 or 10 minutes to get one (a phone), I walked out with this one just now.”
The good news? The FCC is now hot on the trail of other cheats. They’ve already disqualified 135,000 people and are reviewing as many as 4.5 million additional accounts.
As a direct result of the high level of fraud in the program, the free government cell phone program is facing severe headwinds from politicians eager to cut budgets in these tough economic times. And ordinary citizens are now weighing in against this wonderful program, too.
One of the most irate politicians is Arkansas Congressman Tim Griffin, who is demanding that the Lifeline program be completely eliminated rather than merely fixed.
“A few years ago, someone had the idea that hey, we ought to convert it, or also allow, in addition to landlines, cell phones and that’s when this thing got out of control,” Griffin said. Other local and national politicians seem to be lining up in support of Griffin.
“I guess there’s always going to be someone taking advantage of the system,” local resident Kathleen Horvath observed. “I’m sure it’s come in handy at the same time for those who need it…but clearly it sounds like there needs to be more oversight and if it’s just for emergencies like they stated, then probably a more basic, generic phone that just has calling features would be more efficient.”
FreeGovernmentCellPhones.net is the nation’s leading authority and advocate of the terrific Lifeline Assistance program. We have always supported and will continue to support efforts to clean up the program and rid it of fraud so that it can grow and prosper and continue to help the needy Americans who so desperately need it.
So we urge the FCC to bolster its search for those who cheat the system. Find ‘em, boot ‘em, and prosecute ‘em if possible. And we urge our readers to report anyone they know who’s cheating the system.
Source: CBS6 Albany
sharlene thompson says
What do I have to do to get a phone?
JJOM says
Good Site.