Where and how to report Section 8 fraud

Report Section 8 fraud to your local Public Housing Authority (PHA) first. Every PHA has a fraud hotline, email, or online form — find yours by searching "[your city/county] PHA fraud report" or calling their main number and asking for the fraud unit. You can report anonymously by phone or mail if you prefer not to give your name.

If the PHA does not act or you believe the fraud involves federal funds being misused, you can also report to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Office of Inspector General. HUD has a hotline at 1-800-347-3735 and an online form at oig.hud.gov. Reports to HUD typically go to the PHA anyway, but filing with HUD creates a federal record if local action stalls.

For fraud involving a landlord, tenant, or housing provider, your state's attorney general office may also investigate. Some states have dedicated housing fraud units. Contact your state attorney general's office directly or through their website.

Key Takeaways

  • Start with your local PHA's fraud hotline or online reporting system, which you can find by calling the PHA's main number or searching online.
  • You can report anonymously by phone or mail if you do not want to provide your name.
  • If the PHA does not respond or you believe federal funds are involved, file a report with HUD's Office of Inspector General at 1-800-347-3735 or oig.hud.gov.
  • Your state attorney general's office may also investigate housing fraud, particularly if a landlord or provider is involved.
  • Keep copies of all documents, communications, and dates related to the suspected fraud before you report.

What counts as Section 8 fraud

Section 8 fraud falls into a few main categories. Tenant fraud includes lying on the initial application (hiding income, hiding household members, using false documents), failing to report changes in income or household size, or allowing someone not on the lease to live in the unit. It also includes using the voucher to pay for a unit that does not meet housing quality standards while claiming it does.

Landlord fraud means a landlord charging more than the approved rent amount, collecting payments directly from the tenant instead of from the PHA, failing to maintain the unit to code, or falsifying lease documents or inspection records. Some landlords also commit fraud by evicting a tenant illegally to avoid Section 8 oversight or by refusing to accept the voucher after initially agreeing.

PHA fraud is less common but serious: a PHA employee mishandling funds, approving ineligible applicants in exchange for money, or falsifying inspection or payment records. This is the type most likely to trigger a federal investigation.

What information to gather before reporting

Before you contact the PHA or HUD, write down what you know: the date you first noticed the problem, the names and addresses of the people or properties involved, the specific actions you observed, and any documents you have. If you are reporting a landlord, include the unit address and the tenant's name if you know it. If you are reporting a tenant, include their name, the address of the unit, and what you observed.

Collect copies of any written evidence: lease agreements, inspection reports, payment records, emails, text messages, photographs of the unit, or notices from the PHA. You do not need to have all of this — the PHA and HUD investigators will gather more — but having even one document makes your report stronger and easier to investigate.

If you witnessed something directly (you live in the building, you are a neighbor, you are a housing inspector), note the dates and times. If you heard about it secondhand, say so. Investigators know the difference and will follow up accordingly.

How the PHA investigates fraud reports

When you report fraud to the PHA, the fraud unit will assign an investigator. They will contact you to confirm details, then begin gathering evidence: reviewing lease documents, payment records, and inspection reports; interviewing the tenant, landlord, or both; and conducting a new housing quality inspection if needed. This process usually takes several weeks to several months.

If the investigator finds fraud, the outcome depends on who committed it. A tenant found to have committed fraud loses their voucher and may be required to repay overpayments. A landlord may be removed from the program, required to repay funds, or referred to law enforcement. A PHA employee may face termination and criminal charges.

You will not always hear the outcome. Many PHAs do not notify the person who reported the fraud about the results, citing privacy rules. You can ask the investigator whether you will receive updates, but do not expect a detailed report.

Reporting fraud as a tenant or landlord

If you are a tenant and you suspect your landlord is committing fraud — charging you extra rent, refusing to make repairs, or falsifying inspection records — report it to the PHA first. The PHA can investigate and may remove the landlord from the program. You can also file a complaint with your local housing authority or tenant rights organization.

If you are a landlord and you suspect a tenant is committing fraud, report it to the PHA. Do not try to investigate on your own or confront the tenant. The PHA will handle the investigation, and you should cooperate fully by providing lease documents, payment records, and inspection reports.

If you are a landlord and you suspect another landlord in the program is committing fraud, report that to the PHA as well. Fraud by one landlord can affect the entire program and drive up costs for other providers.

Protecting yourself after reporting fraud

If you report fraud and you are worried about retaliation, know your rights. Tenants cannot be evicted or punished for reporting fraud. Landlords cannot refuse to rent to someone because they reported fraud. If retaliation happens, document it and report it to the PHA and your state attorney general.

If you reported anonymously, retaliation is less likely because the person accused may not know who reported them. However, if you gave your name and you are concerned, tell the investigator. They can sometimes keep your identity confidential during the investigation or take steps to protect you.

Keep copies of your fraud report and any correspondence with the PHA or HUD. If you need to follow up or if the matter goes to court, you will have a record of when and how you reported it.

When the PHA does not respond to your report

If you report fraud to the PHA and hear nothing for more than a month, follow up. Call the fraud unit and ask for the status of your report. Ask for the investigator's name and direct contact information if possible. Some PHAs are understaffed and reports can get delayed, but you have the right to know whether your report was received and is being investigated.

If the PHA refuses to investigate or you believe they are not taking the report seriously, escalate to HUD. File a report with HUD's Office of Inspector General and mention that you already reported to the PHA and received no response. HUD can pressure the PHA to act or investigate independently.

You can also contact your state attorney general's office or a local legal aid organization. Some legal aid groups have housing specialists who can advise you on next steps or file complaints on your behalf.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I report fraud anonymously?

Yes. You can call the PHA's fraud hotline without giving your name, or mail in a written report. You can also report to HUD anonymously by mail or through their online form. Anonymous reports are taken seriously, though investigators may have more difficulty following up if they cannot contact you for details.

What happens if my report turns out to be wrong?

If you report in good faith — meaning you had reason to believe fraud was occurring — you will not face legal consequences even if the investigation finds nothing wrong. However, if you knowingly file a false report to harm someone, that can be prosecuted as filing a false report. Stick to what you actually observed or have evidence for.

How long does a fraud investigation take?

Most PHA investigations take two to six months, depending on how complex the case is and how quickly the PHA can gather documents and conduct interviews. Federal investigations through HUD can take longer. You may not hear the outcome, but you can ask the investigator for an estimated timeline when you report.

Can I report fraud if I am not sure it is fraud?

Yes. If something looks wrong — a landlord charging extra, a tenant living with someone not on the lease, a unit that fails inspection but passed before — report it. Investigators are trained to determine whether it is actually fraud. It is better to report a suspicion than to stay silent.

What if the person I report retaliates against me?

Retaliation for reporting fraud is illegal. If a landlord evicts you, a tenant harasses you, or a PHA employee punishes you for reporting, document it and report the retaliation to the PHA and HUD. You may also have grounds for a civil lawsuit or a complaint to your state attorney general.