Reports Of Fraud, Abuse Surround Federal Free Phone Program

CBS Minnesota ^ | July 19, 2012 | Liz Collin

[kevcol]

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) — A federal program is giving away thousands of free cell phones and minutes in Minnesota, and you’re paying for it.

Helping low-income people connect to services they need, the program gives free phones with hundreds of free minutes each month to people in need to land jobs, make appointments and stay in touch with family.

But the program has come under fire for its $1 billion price tag and reports of fraud.
.
.
Odell Hilson sold his phone for $20 because he needed the money. He didn’t remember which company gave it to him, but he didn’t seem to care that taxpayers picked up the tab.

“They would be upset, because they figure they were paying for it and if that’s the case, then that’s not my problem,” Hilson said
.
.
Still, Arkansas Congressman Tim Griffin doesn’t think the safeguards go far enough.

He believes most phones aren’t being used to help find jobs, and they’re costing the country far too much. The republican has introduced a bill in Washington to get rid of the cell phones and only cover landline costs.

“The federal government doesn’t need to be providing people with cell phones,” Griffin said.

[Kartographer]

BUT...But...but what about the children? (silently weeping. NOT!)

[Buckeye McFrog]

What, do you expect these flash mobs to just organize themselves?

[DeaconRed]

What?
FRAUD.
No Way.

[lonevoice]

A good friend of mine has just under $1M in cash in the bank. He owns his $500K house free and clear. He’s retired, has zero debt and no credit cards. His only income is less than $10K/year in interest on savings.

He recently discovered that he’s eligible for $250/month in food stamps, and a free Obamaphone based on his income being below the poverty line! Apparently some of these programs don’t even factor net worth into their equation of who’s qualified for them. Of course, being a conservative, he’s not having any of it. But, knowing that a millionaire is legally eligible for these so-called safety nets for the “poor” should be a scandal.

[kevcol]

Interview with this woman in line for a free phone:

REPORTER: On an abandoned West Side lot, a sign on a bright green tent advertises a deal too good for many to resist.

CITIZEN: My daughter told me about it.

REPORTER: What did she say?

CITIZEN: It’s a government phone.

REPORTER: So, you don’t have to pay anything for it?

CITIZEN: No.

REPORTER: She’s right. This is one case where free really means free, at least for the people receiving the phones.

.
.
REPORTER: Who pays for it?

CITIZEN: The government, the taxpayers, I don’t pay for it. Like I said, I can’t afford it, so it helps me.

REPORTER: You have a phone around your neck. Why do you need a phone that I pay for?

CITIZEN: I can stop paying for it.

[MayflowerMadam]

“They want 911? Get them a ‘reverse pager’”.

I think that would cost even more than necessary. It used to be, and I expect it still is, the case that any cell phone, even if not activated or connected to a provider, must be able to dial and connect to 911. Instead of sending old cell phones to landfills, etc., distribute them to these losers. That way, when they go to McDonalds they’d still be able to reach 911 if their Chicken McNugget box was short a piece.

[Vendome]

If having a phone is important to finding a job then give them a softphone and featureless Voip . won’t cost $15 a month.

[Buckeye McFrog]

Our Governor, Tom Corbett, has tried to impose some asset tests on Food Stamps to prevent this kind of scenario. Advocates for the Pooooooor and the Religious Left have been dumping on him as if he is trying to steal the milk away from newborn babies.

[Graybeard58]

The republican has introduced a bill in Washington to get rid of the cell phones and only cover landline costs.

“The federal government doesn’t need to be providing people with cell phones,” Griffin said.

Yet another "republican" who doesn't get it. I don't have a land line, by choice. Why should I have to pay for anybody's phone but my own, cell or land line?

[madprof98]

He believes most phones aren’t being used to help find jobs . . .

Another one of those Republican racists stereotyping the less fortunate.

[IronJack]

The disgusting thing (but why choose just ONE?) about this is the sense of entitlement these parasites have.

“I deserve a cell phone!”
“Why?”
“Because I WANT one.”

And that line about “communication shouldn’t be dependent on one’s ability to afford it ...”. What?!?!! Of course it should! What ELSE should it depend on???

[nodumbblonde]

A photo ID is already required to receive a phone. Yes, the same photo ID the “poor” aren’t able to get in order to vote.

[matt04]

Any cellphone, even if it has no paid service, card, contract, month-to-month can dial 911. Same with a land line.

[MEGoody]

But the program has come under fire for its $1 billion price tag and reports of fraud.

Maybe I should report my sis in law. She has muliple free cell phones. I said something to her about it, but of course, she ignored me.

[Bubba_Leroy]

"The basic principle of the program is that everyone should have access to emergency services like 911."

You do not need cell phone service to call 911. The FCC requires wireless service providers to transmit all 911 calls, regardless of whether the caller subscribes to the provider’s service or not.

[GOPJ]

I know the press is incapable of finding anything out that's not fed to them by a dem operative, but it would be nice to know how many of those free phones are used in 'flashrobbing' stores. My guess? Most of 'em...

[GOPJ]

The basic principle of the program is that everyone should have access to emergency services like 911. PURE BOSH!!

Phones that can be charged - one that no longer have contracts and can't be used to make phone calls - can still reach 911... So you're right, it's pure Bosh... (if you have an old cell phone it can be donated it to a local abused women's center for 911 calls - they can use them)

[TheCause]

Managed Health Services (MHS) does this in Indiana.
MHS is part of the Medicaid system.

[Toespi]

It is a program paid by anyone who gets a cell phone bill and varies from state to state. It is listed on the bill as “universal fee” or something like that. I expect that after the supreme court ruling on healthcare being considered a tax that anyone who has an income and DOES NOT have a cell phone will be taxed or penalized. Wait for it.

[cicero2k]

Knock me over with a freakin feather!

What did they think was going to happen?

Never mind. It’s about feeling good on the part of the donor.

Except the donor is using my money.