In California workers' compensation, who should be reported suspected fraud to?

• A. Federal law enforcement
• B. Local District Attorney and Fraud Division of the Department of Insurance
• C. California Labor Commission
• D. Department of Public Health

Answer: (B)

In California, suspected workers' compensation fraud is treated as a crime, so the proper channel is to notify state and local authorities who handle fraud investigations and prosecutions. The Local District Attorney's office can prosecute criminal fraud, while the Fraud Division of the Department of Insurance investigates insurance fraud, including workers' comp fraud, and can pursue enforcement actions. Federal law enforcement isn’t the primary avenue for this issue, and the California Labor Commission (now part of DLSE) focuses on wage-and-hour and benefits issues rather than fraud investigations. The Department of Public Health has no role in workers’ compensation fraud. Report to the District Attorney and the DOI Fraud Division to ensure the case is properly investigated and prosecuted.