Under the False Claims Act (FCA) (31 U.S.C. §§ 3729 to 3733), an individual or entity that submits a claim that is false or fraudulent, whether express or implied, to the federal US government (or any division, department, or agency thereof) for obtaining some government benefit or payment is liable for the amount paid or benefit conferred plus damages, interest, and monetary penalties.

An FCA case may be brought by the federal government or by a private citizen under the statute's qui tam relator provisions. Private citizens filing qui tam suits on the federal government's behalf under the FCA may be able to share in any recovery received in those actions.

For a discussion of the False Claims Act, see Practice Note, Health Care Fraud and Abuse Laws: Overview.