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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C w.
No one helps you when you report people stealing from you I reported and Noone helped me or my disable son.now I am disable also No one cares nothing is done when you report people who steal.
Gab
So true!!
Angel M.
If my mom is my payee and she kept the check for herself stating its for bills that are not required to be paid by me, im to pay my rent and she spent the money i was supposed to recieve
R.F.
To report any misuse of Social Security benefits, please call 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778) Monday through Friday, between 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. and speak to one of our representatives. Or you can contact your local Social Security office directly. Thanks!
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Kenneth C.
How do I report someone who is collecting SSI for their son, but the son does not live with him or even in the same state?
Scot
I suspect somone of fraudulent claims. He was collecting for disability and social security. He just got married and there income has changed and does not seem to have his disability anymore ???
JACKIE G.
How can I open up an account with SS for my disabled child so we can check how our appeal is going. I try to call and never get to talk to a person so it says to check on line. As her payee it says I can not open an account for her. So what do I need to do. They said for me to call because they need to talk to me???????
HELP!!!
R.F.
Hi, Jackie. At this time, you can only create a my Social Security account using your own personal information and for your own exclusive use. Please call our toll free number at 1-800-772-1213 and one of our agents will assist you. 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 day, or later in the week. Thanks.
Kay
I get SSI and my family are on the dysfunctional side and threaten to call Social Security on my all the time if I go anywhere do anything that they think I should not be able to do , I have Glaucoma and Arthritis. If I walk further than they think I should they say I should not get SSI, if I drive at night they say I should not get SSI. I sold a painted rock and used the money to get more paint to , so I could paint more rocks, to give free rocks for the Kindness Project, where you paint and hide rocks to make people smile, so I was threatened that they would call SSI and get me in trouble. can I do anything about them constantly threatening me?
Kathy
Why is it so hard for me to stop my disability checks from coming. I’ve worked hard to get well, and now I have returned to work full time. So far so good. Since I worked part time for years making under SGA, I’ve been able to keep my payments but the stress of having to have my finances checked every year was so stressful it was making me sick for a month every year. I finally decided I couldn’t do it anymore, and I am trying full time work. When I called SS to report that I have returned to work making over SGA even with medical expenses, they took my info and that was it. I then received the exact paper work in the mail that I had gotten earlier in the year to make sure I was still able to get disability. The one darn thing that completely sets off my anxiety EVERY time is the exact same thing they sent me. I filled it out to the best of my ability and stated that they had ALL of the information from earlier in the year and I was not dragging it back out again. I just want my checks to stop. I have received one so far, and I have taken it directly out of my bank account so it isn’t spent….but now I don’t know what to do with it.
Nicole A.
I just received a denial from SSA Retirement, Survivors and Disability Insurance. However in the same mail day I received more paperwork to fill out for office of disability determination. I called and they said I was denied for one thing but still being evaluated for something else. I AM CONFUSED
R.F.
We apologize for any misunderstanding, Nicole. Unfortunately and because of security reasons, we do not have access to personal records in this blog. One of our representatives should be able to provide you with an explanation and answer your questions to help you understand the situation. Please try again. Representatives at our toll free number 1-800-772-1213, are available Monday through Friday, between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. or contact your local Social Security office directly, for further assistance. Thanks!
Concerned P.
hello,
i recently applied to get a replacement social security card at the s.s office and provided all the documents and received a letter stating it will take 2 weeks. it has been over a week and i haven’t yet received it so i called the s.s 1800-number to speak with someone about the status after waiting 45 min. on the line i spoke with a women and gave her all the info she needed from me turns out she told me they had sent my s.s card 29 days ago which seemed odd to me, and that the reason why i didn’t receive it at the address where i live at is because my name wasn’t on the lease or purchase agreement of where i lived at? HUH?!? I have never heard anything like this before my oldest son had his card mailed to our address and hes not on our purchase agreement neither are my children so how is this possible? She told me to go check the post office and if they dont have it they sent it back to the social security administration and when they receive it they shred it & I’ll have to go back to the S.S office again to reapply I just want to know if anyone has ever heard of such a thing & your only allowed 3 a year and 10 a life time so when i go re-apply again how is it my fault that they wont mail it where i live at this is crazy anyone please let me know if this is even legal process or what thanks
R.F.
Typically, after we process your application, you should receive your replacement Social Security card by mail within 10 business days. Since it has been longer than 10 days, the best way to follow up on your application, is to contact the office where you filed your application. On your receipt there should be a local phone number for you to call and speak to someone about the status of your card. We apologize for the inconvenience and hope this information helps.