The Department of Justice (DOJ) just issued a new memorandum that may reshape how the government handles False Claims Act (FCA) cases involving federally funded benefits programs. Signed by Assistant Attorney General Brett A. Shumate on May 27, 2026, the memo directs DOJ attorneys to accelerate their review and prosecution of whistleblower suits alleging fraud in Medicaid, housing, food assistance, and other state-administered federal benefits programs.
The Policy
The memo flows from an executive order issued in March 2026 establishing a task force to eliminate fraud in federal benefits programs. At its core, it imposes strict new timelines on DOJ’s handling of benefits fraud qui tam cases and creates an explicit framework for fast-tracking whistleblower suits.
Here is how the new protocol works:
The 60/120-Day Initial Review
When a new benefits-fraud qui tam is filed, DOJ will aim…
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This remains the most prevalent form of financial crime globally. It targets the direct access points to your money: your cards and your bank accounts.
- Skimming: Criminals use small devices called “skimmers” placed over ATM or point-of-sale card slots to capture the data from your card’s magnetic strip.
- Card-Not-Present (CNP) Fraud: This occurs during online shopping where a physical card isn’t required. Thieves use stolen card numbers, expiry dates, and CVV codes to make unauthorized purchases.
- Account Takeover (ATO): A hacker gains access to your online banking credentials (often through malware or phishing) and changes the contact details or passwords, locking you out while they drain your funds.