Protecting the Lifeline program requires continuous commitment across every layer of the connectivity ecosystem, from field agents to service provider management. The National Lifeline Association (NaLA) and the National Agent Coalition (NAC) enforce a strict zero-tolerance policy against fraudulent behavior to safeguard essential benefits for the consumers who truly need them.
Every member, master distributor, and representative shares the responsibility to prevent non-compliant practices—including the enrollment of deceased individuals, the creation or acceptance of falsified documentation, and the use of unauthorized subscriber lists or “pre-approved” social media leads. Maintaining a clean, compliant network preserves the integrity of Eligible Telecommunications Carriers (ETCs) and protects honest enrollment representatives across the industry.
Vigilance only works when misconduct is reported promptly and directly. Questionable activity should be escalated immediately to supervisors and company leadership, while suspected criminal fraud should be reported directly to the FCC’s Office of Inspector General Hotline at 888-863-2244, 202-418-0473, or online at fcc.gov/inspector-general/hotline. Failing to stop or report fraudulent behavior carries severe repercussions, including termination, severe financial penalties, and criminal prosecution leading to prison time.
NaLA’s standard for maintaining a sustainable, trusted program remains simple and unyielding: Don’t do it. And if you see it, report it.
