Last Update: 6/27/05 (Transmittal I-1-54)
An attorney or nonattorney representative of persons claiming benefits under the Social Security Act may be criminally charged if he or she commits one of the following offenses:
In any manner willfully and knowingly deceives, misleads, or threatens any claimant or prospective claimant, or beneficiary;
Charges or collects or makes any agreement to charge or collect, directly or indirectly, any fee in excess of the maximum fee authorized by the Commissioner of Social Security;
Divulges, except when legally authorized, any information SSA furnishes or discloses about the claim or prospective claim of another person.
Refer to section I-1-1-40 for a discussion on administrative actions which may result in suspension or disqualification of a representative from practicing before the Social Security Administration.