How To Report Fraud & Abuse: It is easy to make a confidential fraud report.

• By Phone: You can report fraud by calling the HACC 24 hour Fraud Hotline at (312)542-4750. You can also call (312) 663-5447 during the business day and ask for Program Integrity.Your call will be strictly confidential. You do not have to leave your name of phone number but if you choose to do so, please let us know how we can get in touch with you.
• By Mail or In Person: For your convenience in making a written fraud complaint, you can download the form “Confidential Fraud Complaint.” Complete the form and mail it to: Housing Authority of the County of Cook, Attention: Program Integrity, 175 W. Jackson Blvd. Suite 350, Chicago, IL 60604. You can also visit our office and make your fraud complaint. You will not be required to identify yourself.
• By email: You can report fraud by email at fraud@thehacc.org.
• To The HUD Office of the Inspector General: If you have knowledge that a manager or a member of the HACC executive staff is committing fraud or abuse and you are concerned that your complaint to the HACC will not be properly investigated, you can call the confidential fraud hotline of the HUD Office of the Inspector General at (800) 347-3735. You can also fax the Inspector General at (202) 708-2451. Finally, you can write to the Inspector General at Dept. of HUD, 451 7th Street, S.W., Room 8270, Washington, DC 20410. You can report any program fraud of any nature and on any person to the HUD Inspector General.
  
  

What Is Tenant Fraud And Abuse: Tenants who receive rent subsidy from the HCV program are required to provide complete and accurate information about all of the people who live in their household, to report all household income and assets, and to truthfully identify all of the people who live in their household. Some examples of fraud by tenants include allowing someone to live in the subsidized housing unit who is not authorized by the HACC to live in the unit, subletting the subsidized apartment, not telling the HACC about all of the income from every source that is received by members of the household and not telling the HACC about bank accounts and other household assets. Tenants who win the lottery must report the winning to the HACC. If you are a tenant, it is important that you read the tenant notice prepared by the HUD Office of the Inspector General entitled “Things You Should Know.” This notice provides details of tenant obligations and lists the penalties for committing fraud.

In addition to providing complete and accurate information, tenants in the voucher program may not rent from relatives without the prior approval of the HACC and tenants cannot own or have any interest in the property that receives rental subsidy. Finally, voucher tenants my not pay any money to anyone to receive a housing voucher or any program benefit and they may make side payments to landlords. There are other ways in which tenants can commit fraud or abuse the voucher program. Let us know if you know about any fraud.

Fraud By Property Owners and Managers: Owners and Managers of property that is rented in the voucher program cannot offer money or gifts to HACC employees to obtain services under the voucher program. In addition, property owners cannot not live in the unit that is receiving rent subsidy and cannot rent to a relative without the prior approval of the HACC. Property owners and managers cannot accept rent payments for units that are vacant or ask tenants to make rent payments that are greater than the amount approved by the HACC, (side payments). There are other ways in which Property Owners and Managers can commit fraud and we want to hear from you if you are aware of any acts of fraud.

HACC Employee Fraud: We hold our employees to a high standard and expect employees to engage in ethical work practices and to avoid conflicts of interest. As Public Service Employees, HACC employees may not take money or gifts of any nature for the services they provide. HACC employees cannot have an ownership interest in any unit rented under the voucher program and HACC Inspectors cannot inspect property that is owned by family and friends. Employees who process tenant and landlord information cannot alter or omit information for the benefit of the landlord or the tenant and may not process information for friends or relatives. There are other ways in which HACC employees can commit fraud. We rely on the eyes, ears and reports from the public to ensure the integrity of HACC employees. We want to hear from you.