CaseA case can be filed when a person has information and knowledge of false claims filed and funds collected from the government. Examples are submission of bills for goods and services that were not actually furnished, failure to disclose a material contractual requirement, mischaracterization of goods and services for which payment is sought or false certification that goods and services conform to contract specifications, quality standards or federal law.

Defective PricingSubmitting inaccurate pricing information to the government, resulting in an increased contract price.

False Certification of Entitlement BenefitsInaccurate information for price supports or mortgage guarantees.

False Claims Act, The First enacted in 1863, designed to urge whistleblowers to come forward by giving them a portion of the money recovered. It was applicable to all government contractors, federal programs, and other circumstances involving the use of federal revenue. The False Claims Act was amended in 1943, again in 1986 affecting the whistleblower’s share of recovery, the ease of bringing a lawsuit, and the increasing the punishment of defendants.

FraudDeception carried out with the purpose of attaining personal gain while causing injury to another party.

Lincoln LawThe Civil False Claims Act, enacted during the Civil War by Abraham Lincoln and a predecessor to modern quitam legislation.

Mischarging Giving a false claim for products or services that were not produced or delivered.

Product and Service Substitution Giving certification to a product that is faulty or does not meet specifications, or submitting one product to the government for approval and substituting it for a product of lesser quality on delivery.

QuitamQuitam is an abbreviation from the Latin phrase “quitam pro domino rege quam pro sic ipso in hoc parte sequitur”, meaning “who as well for the king as for himself sues in this matter”. A quitam action allows private citizens to file a lawsuit in the name of the United States government charging fraud by contractors and others who receive or use government funds.

Relator A whistleblower that files suit under the False Claims Act.

State False Claims ActFalse Claims Acts that are specific to individual states instead of the Federal act.

WhistleblowerAn employee, former employee, or member of an organization who reports misconduct to people or entities that can take corrective action.