How to Report Personal Bankruptcy Fraud
More than 1 million people file for bankruptcy each year, according to the IRS. With so many cases, it's important to know which are legitimate and which are fraudulent. Fraudulent cases include those who try and conceal their income and assets. Report personal bankruptcy fraud to either the U.S. Trustees or your local police department. Phone your local police or mail a stamped envelope to the U.S. Trustees office.
Report by Mail
- Include both the name and the address of the person who you are reporting for fraud. This way, the Justice Department and the IRS will have a location to work from as they investigate the case.
- Input the name of the bankruptcy case you suspect is fraudulent, the case number attached to the bankruptcy file and the location where the filing took place at. The people handling the investigation, including police and government officials, can verify the case of the person you're accusing of fraud.
- Add all the information relating to the bankruptcy case that you know of. The more facts you provide, the better chance the Justice Department has of receiving the correct outcome. Explain how you came to know about the case and your relation to it.
- Describe the asset that you suspect the wrong amount was entered in. Include as much detail as you can about the asset, such as its estimated value and any other information that you can gather to add into the report. Include any income amount you think wasn't added to the case for verification.
- Write down your name, where you live and your email address. You do not need to include personal information; however, those working on the case may need to ask you questions to help them solve fraudulent case.
- Gather together a stamped envelope and mail your information about the fraudulent case to this address:
Executive Office for U.S. Trustees
Criminal Enforcement Unit
20 Massachusetts Avenue, NW
Suite 8,000
Washington, DC 20530