# Bankruptcy fraud question **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [January 30, 2004, 3:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bankruptcy-fraud-question/226690 "2004-01-30T03:01:55Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 6\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Scuba\_Ben](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/278dde/32.png) [@Scuba\_Ben](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scuba_Ben)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2004, 3:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bankruptcy-fraud-question/226690/21 "2004-02-02T15:14:02Z")
> [@Cleric](#): > > I do have a question. Since she is on Social Security, she is only allowed to have 2k max in the bank. Won’t the BK court want to know where she has been putting her monthly income? I knew Social Security would reduce retirement benefits to people with significant earned income. I wasn’t aware that SSI / disabled benefits were subject to a wealth test. Off to check the SSA web site… ---
**Author:** ![don\_t\_ask](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e68b1a/32.png) [@don\_t\_ask](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/don_t_ask)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2004, 3:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bankruptcy-fraud-question/226690/22 "2004-02-02T15:20:19Z")
I’d forget it - the credit provider probably makes **billions** a year. A friend of mine was a palliative care nurse. She found out that one of her patients (who only had months to live) was running around buying stuff for he kids and grandkids, on credit cards and loans - she knew they would be cancelled when she died. Should she have turned her in to the banks? She didn’t. ---
**Author:** ![Scuba\_Ben](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/278dde/32.png) [@Scuba\_Ben](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scuba_Ben)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2004, 3:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bankruptcy-fraud-question/226690/23 "2004-02-02T15:24:12Z")
I’m back. That was _very_ interesting. From [url="[http://www.ssa.gov/pubs/11000.html](http://www.ssa.gov/pubs/11000.html)"SSA publication 05-110000: > [@](#): > > The things you own that we consider include items such as real estate, bank accounts, cash and stocks and bonds. A person may be able to get SSI if they have items worth no more than $2,000. A couple may be able to get SSI if they have items worth no more than $3,000. If you own property or another resource that you are trying to sell, you may be able to get SSI while trying to sell it. Social Security doesn’t count everything you own. Exceptions include a house, a car, and (for disabled people) some items related to earning income. There are also similar exceptions on the income limits. I can’t tell from the brocure whether the wealth issue includes personal property. If you’re sufficiently concerned, you may want to have a chat with the local SSA office. If you’re sufficiently worried and nasty, tell your friend that their expensive TV, satellite dish, etc. may be enough to DISqualify her for future disability income! ---
**Author:** ![Scuba\_Ben](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/278dde/32.png) [@Scuba\_Ben](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scuba_Ben)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2004, 3:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bankruptcy-fraud-question/226690/24 "2004-02-02T15:25:43Z")
Coding fix: From [SSA publication 05-110000](http://www.ssa.gov/pubs/11000.html): ---
**Author:** ![Fear\_Itself](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fear_itself/32/19637_2.png) [@Fear\_Itself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_Itself)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2004, 3:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bankruptcy-fraud-question/226690/25 "2004-02-02T15:51:36Z")
> [@Scuba\_Ben](#): > > tell your friend that their expensive TV, satellite dish, etc. may be enough to DISqualify her for future disability income! Why would one’s possessions have any bearing on one’s disability status? ---
**Author:** ![Cleric](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/c57346/32.png) [@Cleric](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cleric)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2004, 4:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bankruptcy-fraud-question/226690/26 "2004-02-02T16:29:43Z")
> [@don't ask](#): > > I’d forget it - the credit provider probably makes **billions** a year. > > A friend of mine was a palliative care nurse. She found out that one of her patients (who only had months to live) was running around buying stuff for he kids and grandkids, on credit cards and loans - she knew they would be cancelled when she died. Should she have turned her in to the banks? She didn’t. I think this is going into the GD territory but I will stay in GQ mode. That kind of thinking is why the cycle of credit cards raising interest rates/fees-consumers ripping off the CC will continue. If I just say the hell with it and let it be, I will contribute with the problem. You are able to turn in someone who is commiting other crimes via WEtip…I was just asking if there was something similar when you observe someone trying to defraud the Credit card Co [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bankruptcy-fraud-question/226690.md?page=1)