Social Security Takes Fraud Seriously
Reading Time: 1 MinuteLast Updated: August 19, 2021
One out of five Americans receives benefits from Social Security, including elderly retirees, people with severe illnesses, and widows and children of deceased wage earners.
With so many of our country’s most vulnerable citizens depending on us, we take our responsibility of providing them with a measure of financial security seriously.
One way we do that is by making a priority our many efforts to pursue those who would cheat the system and take money away from those who need it most.
The agency’s benefit programs are far-reaching and complex, which means that preventing, detecting, and combatting fraud, waste, and abuse is an ongoing challenge. Although we can’t prevent every instance of fraud any more than law enforcement can prevent all crimes, we aggressively investigate potential instances of fraud and pursue prosecution of those who commit it.
Our Office of Anti-Fraud Programs (OAFP) uses many tools to help predict where fraud may occur so we can identify it as quickly as possible. OAFP works alongside the Office of the Inspector General, and Disability Determination Services in the Cooperative Disability Investigation (CDI) program. CDI units investigate and resolve questions of fraud in our programs. There are stiff penalties: We seek the maximum punishment allowable under the law to restore money stolen from the American people. As a result, fraud affects only a very small percentage of our overall payments.
You can help protect your investment in Social Security. Take time to learn all the facts on how we work to prevent fraud. Remember, if you suspect fraud, report it or call the fraud hotline at 1-800-269-0271.
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Tags: fraud, social security, SSA
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Phil Gambino, Assistant Deputy Commissioner, Communications
Assistant Deputy Commissioner for Communications
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social
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Arelys
So my mother has been attempting to get her social security statement with record of history of earnings and history of payed social security taxes. I have helped her attempt to make an online account with with no succes because it says hay the entered information is incorrect.
All the information entered is correct and is the exact information she used to file her taxes. She was blocked from the site for 24 hours for “unverified information”. After the 24 hour period was over we attempted again With no success. We called the helpdesk I explain to them the situation and they explained to me that I am an able to translate or call on behalf of my mother. While my mother was right next to me and agent had accused me of identity theft even though I had not even given her a Social Security number or a name I simply asked questions. They are so rude and unhelpful and they made my mother feel like she is uneducated. We have visited the office and they have told us that we have to set up an online account but if we are unable to do so with the correct information and the helpdesk is no help what can we do ? We did request a statement over the phone and they said that they would mail it to the address listed on the records although it would take more than four weeks and she does not have the time to wait because immigration is requesting this information to be given before that time.
tammy j.
the person listed below is drawing full benefits and her husband kermit d. fleming jr. is living in the same home as her and has been for the last 23 years. her date of birth is november 9,1959.
Philip T.
My SSA payments for September, October and November 2016 were deposited into an account that I did not have access to. My X spouse has not yet returned the moneys despite several requests by my attorney for her to do so. Is this fraud?
Pam
My boyfriend of 21 years is on social security disability. We have a daughter togather. His social security check was automatically deposited into my checking account because he didn’t have one. My daughters social security check which is in my name and hers was automatically deposited into our joint savings account. When we split up he had his check removed from my checking account obviously…but also some how got her social security check taken from the savings account. When I didn’t receive the deposit I asked him where it was and his girlfriend told me they could take that check out of my name whenever they wanted. I filled out the fraud report online and heard nothing. I went to my local office and they said they would call him and get his side of the story. Finally 3 months later I got the check in the mail but it was only for one month. How can this be? How can they get away with this? Social security has not taken this seriously…they have let them both get away with stealing my daughter’s money.
R.F.
Hi Pam. Unfortunately, but for security reasons, we do not have access to personal records in this blog. Please continue working with your local office. If you are unable to visit the local office, you can call our toll free number at 1-800-772-1213. Representatives are available Monday through Friday, between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. Generally, you will have a shorter wait time if you call later in the week. Thanks.
Julie
How do you get proof of income for someone that is currently in a nursing home that is unable to go the the office or utilize a computer?
shelly r.
will i get in trouble if i deposited checks written to roommate by payee of her social security if i had permission to do so
Cheryl
My daughter just turn in her ex for collecting Disability social security benefits . He received at the time because he said he couldn’t because he had cancer and was under going cancer treatment. He is now cancer free and is working under the table. We had him followed and have proof he can work. We sent in the proof so will they investigate?
R.F.
Hi Cheryl, we take allegations of fraud very seriously. If you suspect fraud, waste or abuse of Social Security benefits, we encourage you to report it. When allegations of fraud are reported to our Office of the Inspector General, we conduct the required investigations. However, federal regulations prohibit the disclosure of information contained in law enforcement records, even to the individual making the allegation. We thank you for helping us fight fraud.
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