Top 10 Failed Welfare Scams Welfare is a life-saver to many families in the United States. It helps the most vulnerable in society meet their basic needs in hopes that they can land right back on their feet again. But there will always be someone to come along and ruin it for those who need it. Scammers discovered that they could live their best lives stealing welfare. Fortunately, some of these scammers get what they deserve. After all they take, the only thing they end up with is a fine, prison time, or a mark of failure. Here are the top 10 failed welfare scams.