Frauds & Scams

Social Security and OIG Establish New Anti-Fraud Units

September 26, 2019 • By

Reading Time: 1 Minute

Last Updated: June 30, 2021

Social Security has zero tolerance for fraud; we are committed to detecting and preventing it. Our agency is diligent and proactive when it comes to protecting the information entrusted to us.

Since 1997, Social Security’s Office of the Inspector General has worked with other divisions within Social Security to establish the Cooperative Disability Investigations (CDI) Program. The CDI Program helps us identify, investigate, and prevent Social Security disability fraud before benefits are ever paid. CDI Units assist disability examiners in making informed decisions, ensure payment accuracy, and generate significant taxpayer savings, for both federal and state programs.

In 22 years, the program has grown to 46 units covering 40 states, the District of Columbia, and the U.S. territories. We have opened several units in the last few years as we work together to provide CDI coverage to all 50 states by 2022.

This week, we are proud to announce the expansion of this successful anti-fraud initiative. Three new statewide offices recently in Bismarck, North Dakota; Boise, Idaho; and Helena, Montana. In addition, the Puerto Rico office has expanded its investigative scope to include cases in the U.S. Virgin Islands.

Since 1997, the CDI Program has contributed $4 billion in projected savings to Social Security’s programs, and $3 billion in projected savings to other federal and state programs.

Learn more about our CDI Program by visiting Social Security’s anti-fraud website.

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About the Author

Mike Korbey, Deputy Commissioner for Communications

Mike Korbey, Deputy Commissioner for Communications

Comments

  1. Hayley G.

    Hello.
    Just got a call from 516-216-4471 and it said suspicious activity and connected me to live person. Guy (Indian) said he worked for you and it was a Governmental office. Wanted last 4 of my ss# and I wouldn’t give it. He said to go to local office for information. Is this legit? 516-216-7462.

    • Ann C.

      Hi, Haley. Thanks for checking in with us. Generally, we will only contact you if you have requested a call or have ongoing business with us. Recently, scams—misleading victims into making cash or gift card payments to avoid arrest for Social Security number problems—have skyrocketed. Our employees will never threaten you for information or promise a benefit in exchange for personal information or money.

      If you receive a suspicious call like this: 1) Hang up. 2) Do not provide personal information, money, or retail gift cards. 3) Report suspicious calls here. For more information on how to protect yourself, check out our Frequently Asked Questions. We hope this helps.

  2. cindy h.

    I have gotten a phone call representing the SSA – 202 932 4893. I told them to stop scamming me, but wanted to follow up with a note per your video for reporting scam.

    • Vonda V.

      Thanks for letting us know, Cindy. Generally, we will only contact you if you have requested a call or have ongoing business with us. Recently, scams—misleading victims into making cash or gift card payments to avoid arrest for Social Security number problems—have skyrocketed. Our employees will never threaten you for information or promise a benefit in exchange for personal information or money.

      If you receive a suspicious call like this: 1) Hang up. 2) Do not provide personal information, money, or retail gift cards. 3) Report suspicious calls here. For more information on how to protect yourself, check out our Frequently Asked Questions. We hope this helps.

  3. roberta b.

    I got a call on the 2nd of March about my Social Security number suspended the number was 972 984 747 3 and that was in McKinney Tennessee I called the office to report this

  4. Juan P.

    i keep getting a phone call about my SS# is being misused. here is the number that is calling me. 800-352-9413. when I call back it is disconnected
    I just wanted to let you know. I don’t intend on taking any more calls from this number. thank you, J.Puente

    • Ann C.

      Thanks for letting us know, Juan. Generally, we will only contact you if you have requested a call or have ongoing business with us. Recently, scams—misleading victims into making cash or gift card payments to avoid arrest for Social Security number problems—have skyrocketed. Our employees will never threaten you for information or promise a benefit in exchange for personal information or money.

      If you receive a suspicious call like this: 1) Hang up. 2) Do not provide personal information, money, or retail gift cards. 3) Report suspicious calls here. For more information on how to protect yourself, check out our Frequently Asked Questions. We hope this helps.

  5. Charles Y.

    Scammers are placing calls from 469-913-1407 Claiming to be SSI Officers. They called my landline and my cell phone.

    • Ann C.

      Hi, Charles. Thanks for letting us know. Generally, we will only contact you if you have requested a call or have ongoing business with us. Recently, scams—misleading victims into making cash or gift card payments to avoid arrest for Social Security number problems—have skyrocketed. Our employees will never threaten you for information or promise a benefit in exchange for personal information or money.

      If you receive a suspicious call like this: 1) Hang up. 2) Do not provide personal information, money, or retail gift cards. 3) Report suspicious calls here. For more information on how to protect yourself, check out our Frequently Asked Questions. We hope this helps.

  6. joseph m.

    My wife died in october 2019, i have been told that i get a benefit from SS. What do i have to do to receive this ?

    • Ann C.

      Hi, Joseph. Thanks for your question. We’re sorry to hear of your wife’s passing. If she worked long enough to be insured under Social Security, you may be eligible for a Lump Sum Death Payment. To file for the benefit, call 1-800-772-1213 and request an appointment at your local office. You must file the application for the lump-sum death payment within two years of your wife’s death. To learn more about the benefit and who can receive it, go here. We hope this information is helpful.

  7. Smith M.

    Everyone who wishes to have an insurance needs to search and analyze the pros and cons of each policy. Try to avoid fraud’s and choose right insurance company with better coverage and transparency.

  8. Maggie T.

    I keep getting phone calls say my social is going to be suspended in 24 hours for suspicions activity phone number calling and it asks to call back is 682-257-3103

    • Ann C.

      Hi, Maggie. Thanks for letting us know. Generally, we will only contact you if you have requested a call or have ongoing business with us. Recently, scams—misleading victims into making cash or gift card payments to avoid arrest for Social Security number problems—have skyrocketed. Our employees will never threaten you for information or promise a benefit in exchange for personal information or money.

      If you receive a suspicious call like this: 1) Hang up. 2) Do not provide personal information, money, or retail gift cards. 3) Report suspicious calls here. For more information on how to protect yourself, check out our Frequently Asked Questions. We hope this helps.

  9. GPegram

    I received a recorded call from 361-204-0126 at my place of employment telling me legal enforcement action will take place if I don’t call them immediately and that I could be jailed. Of course, I didn’t. I am the Receptionist.

    • Ann C.

      Thanks for letting us know. Generally, we will only contact you if you have requested a call or have ongoing business with us. Recently, scams—misleading victims into making cash or gift card payments to avoid arrest for Social Security number problems—have skyrocketed. Our employees will never threaten you for information or promise a benefit in exchange for personal information or money.

      If you receive a suspicious call like this: 1) Hang up. 2) Do not provide personal information, money, or retail gift cards. 3) Report suspicious calls here. For more information on how to protect yourself, check out our Frequently Asked Questions. We hope this helps.

  10. Barry R.

    I just received calls from a 410 943 2157 with caller ID Hurlock MD with a msg claiming to be SSI stating their is a federal arrest warrant for me and to call back immediately. That a social security officer is awaiting my call. It’s after business hours here and definitely there. Scarey but no arrest warrants out for me!! I’m about 10 states away

    • Luis A.

      Hi Barry. Thanks for letting us know. Generally, we will only contact you if you have requested a call or have ongoing business with us. Recently, scams—misleading victims into making cash or gift card payments to avoid arrest for Social Security number problems—have skyrocketed. Our employees will never threaten you for information or promise a benefit in exchange for personal information or money.
      If you receive a suspicious call like this: 1) Hang up. 2) Do not provide personal information, money, or retail gift cards. 3) Report suspicious calls here. For more information on how to protect yourself, check out our Frequently Asked Questions. We hope this helps.

Comments are closed.