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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Bill S.
Trying to understand the web site. Our 10 year old neighbor believes her SSN was used by someone else. She obviously does not work. So how can she check if there is activity using her number? Is there some link I have missed.
Note: I know this is not a “reply” to the above comment but I also see no place to start a new subject.
Lorenzo D.
Bill, if your neighbor suspects someone is using her Social Security number, her parents should immediately report it to the Federal Trade Commission or call 1-877-IDTHEFT(1-877-438-4338).
Lorna O.
My son has been on SSI since he was 18 years old. He has many disabilities. First, his father was a Viet Nam Vet, Boots on The Ground, Exposed to Agent Orange, which is continued onto their offspring. Our oldest son was born with MILD MENTAL RETARDATION, IS BIPOLAR, ADHD, HYPERACTIVITY. He has been a CLIENT OF THE REGIONAL CENTER SINCE HE WAS 7 YARS OLD. HE IS GOING TO A FACILITY IN THE ANTELOPE VALLEY IN CALIFORNIA FOR THE HANDICAP AND DISABLED TO GET A JOB, WHICH WILL PAY HIM FAR BELOW MINIMUM WAGES. HE WILL AT THAT POINT PROBABLY HAVE TO LIVE IN HIS CAR UNTIL HE CAN GO OUT INTO THE WORKING FIELD TO MAKE ENOUGH TO PAY RENT TO RENT A ROOM FROM SOMEONE. HE ATTENDED SPECIAL EDUCATION CLASSES THROUGH OUT SCHOOL. AT THE AGE OF 14, MY SON WAS DIAGNOSED WITH TOURETTES SYNDROME. HE HAS COMPREHENSION PROBLEMS, SUCH AS UNDERSTANDING PAPERWORK THAT HE RECEIVES FROM SSI, HAS TO CALL ME OR FAX ME THE PAPERWORK SO I CAN TRY TO HELP HIM UNDERSTAND IT AND HE HAS TROUBLE WITH MAKING THE RIGHT DECISIONS. NOW THAT HE IS HIS OWN PAYEE, HE WILL HAVE TO FILL OUT THE YEARLY EXPENSE REPORT, WHICH HE WILL NOT UNDERSTAND HOW TO DO IT, SO IT WILL BE ME THAT WILL HAVE TO FILL IT OUT FOR HIM. I CANNOT BELIEVE THAT THE DOCTOR HE SAW FELT HE WAS CAPABLE OF BEING HIS OWN PAYEE. I CANNOT UNDERSTAND HOW THE SS CAN LET THOSE WITH THESE DISABILITIES DECIDE ON THEIR OWN BEHAVE THAT THEY CAN CHANGE THEIR PAYEE. I DO UNDERSTAND THAT IF A PAYEE IS ABUSING HIS MONEY HE SHOULD HAVE THE RIGHT TO COMPLAIN AND REQUEST A NEW PAYEE, BUT I FEEL THAT HE, HIMSELF SHOULD NOT BE ALLOWED TO JUST CHANGE PAYEE. I FEEL THAT THE SITUATION SHOULD BE REVIEWED BEFORE A PAYEE IS CHANGED. WHAT IS WRONG WITH THIS SYSTEM?? HE WAS GIVEN AN APPOINTMENT TO SEE A DOCTOR THROUGH SS FOR EVALUATION TO SEE IF HE STILL QUALIFIES FOR SSI. HE JUST RECIEVED A LETTER FROM SSI THAT HE WOULD RECEIVE 2 MORE CHECKS THEN WILL BE CUT OFF OF SSI, AS THEY SAY HE IS ABLE TO WORK NOW. HE IS HAVING A HARD TIME FINDING A JOB AND HAS TO HAVE HELP FILLING OUT AN APPLICATION. I AM APPEALING THIS DECISION AND WILL FIGHT IT TILL WE GET A LETTER STATING THAT HE WILL CONTINUE TO RECEIVE HIS SSI. I GUESS THERE WAS A MIRACLE THAT HAPPENED, THAT WE DON’T KNOW ABOUT THAT HE IS CURED ALL OF A SUDDEN!!! I AM THOUROUGHLY UNHAPPY WITH THEIR DECISION AND WILL FIGHT THIS ALL THE WAY TO SEE THAT HE CONTINUES TO GET HIS SSI THAT HE DESERVES. BEINGS THAT HE IS NOT OF RETIREMENT AGE, HE CAN NOT TO MY KNOWLEGE GET DISABILITY THAT I KNOW OF. I JUST DON’T UNDERSTAND HOW SSI CAN PICK JUST ANY DOCTOR TO REVIEW A DISABLED PERSON AND SAY, “NOPE” HE DOES NOT NEED SSI ANYMORE.
I AM NOW GOING TO HAVE ANOTHER BATTLE ON MY BEHALF.
James L.
Hi Lorna. Social Security reviews SSI cases from time to time to make sure the individuals receiving checks are still eligible to get them. There are many variables in determining when and how often we review SSI cases, including but not limited to changes in resources, income, living situation, or medical conditions. How often your son’s medical condition is reviewed depends on how severe it is and the likelihood it will improve — see SSI Continuing Disability Reviews for more information. The yearly expense report is used to monitor how the representative payee spends or saves the benefits on behalf of the beneficiary, so if your son now his own payee, he will not have to complete the report. However, if you’re still concerned that he needs help with paperwork and managing his benefits, you can re-apply to be his payee. We require a face-to-face interview with the person who wishes to apply to be his new representative payee. To appeal his SSI decision, he must do it within the time indicated in the letter he received. He can also request that his benefits continue while we review his case again.
In your son’s situation, it is best to visit his local office. You can go with him to help, and can also apply to be his new payee. We hope this information helps.
Laurie
It won’t help…just be glad they didn’t charge you or your son an overpayment!
Frances
If people are on SSI or Social Security or Partly Mental Insecure, how many neighbors or so called church workers take advantage of them, by charging something like $100.00 to take them shopping and asking them to purchase beer and achohol drinks , wine for them to get drunk on, and the Mental Copasited victums are drinking and getting drunk every month when their money arrives. And if they are not capable of even counting their money are being taken advantage of.
Ray E.
Why is it that hard working people who contibuted to SSA and FICA during their work lifetime do not get any medical and financial help from the government whereas, recent off the boat immigrants who contributed nothing in any sort of taxes, FICA or SSA taxes is eligible for Medicaid. On top of that, these immigrants refuse or are ignorant in learning the English language and bragging that they get all these benefits without contributing a dime into the system. They are really stealing taxpayer’s money. The government should be very leery in making these people eligible for Medicaid. Most of them , do not have any health issues or problems. They go to doctors who commit fraud. This is where SSA money is wasted. It should be given to retired taxpaying people or disabled War veterans instead of these phony piece of crap that’s coming into this mismanaged country.
HunterSThompson
NONE of that money comes from SSA, its from your State. Call your Congressman/Rep. and express this to them. Call fro Medicaid/CAL reform, it would be greatly beneficial from the sound of it.
Beth S.
[ Is it fraud when a “live in” boyfriend uses his girlfriends disability money for his own bills food and shelter and medical expenses for about the last two years ? I have seen this occur and have a suspicion this is a common occurrence elsewhere . I sense it is a scam being done, because it’s taking away from the disabled person I believe this should be addressed . Also, when one is disabled but has the ability to do a little part time work, Is this money also considered part of the disability money which the boyfriend uses. There are many ways that it seems fraud is taking place, and is visible, But how can social security tell who is the hand using the money given? Example like putting gas in a vehicle or food purchases or shelter utilities etc use , even medicines ???? The invisible fraud of the scammer. Thank you. ]
James L.
Beth, you can report suspected fraud online to our Office of the Inspector General, where reporting is easy, safe and secure. You can remain anonymous, but keep in mind that your decision for anonymity may limit our ability to conduct a complete investigation.
Lillie B.
Yes I thank we should have our Picture on our Cards it would help ‘
cheryl p.
my son rene hurrinus lives with his dad and step mother and his step mother is his payee.now rene gets no money or anything out of his oney I have to spend mine on him.his step mother spends his on her kids she has.isnt there something that can be done about that.i mean he needs new clothes and new shoes and she wont get them he ask for money he don’t get it.he wants me to be his payee but she wont allow it.cold give me some ideas on what to do please and thanks
Steve
Something doesn’t sound right. How come the check is not given to his father and why isn’t his father looking after him
Lorenzo D.
Cheryl, generally minor children need a representative payee to help them manage their benefits. When we select someone to serve as a child’s representative payee, we usually look for a parent or family member living in the same household. A representative payee is required to keep records of all payments received and how they are spent or saved. If you think a representative payee is misusing benefits, tell us right away by calling 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778). Social Security Representatives are available Monday through Friday between 7:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. We will investigate all allegations of misuse, gather facts and evidence, and make a decision on whether misuse has occurred. If we find misuse, we will then take action to recover the misused money, and may name a new representative payee for the child. When a new payee is needed, we require a face-to-face interview with the person who wishes to apply to be the new representative. If you are interested in applying to be a representative payee and would like to understand a payee’s responsibilities, please read our publication: A Guide For Representative Payees. Or, you can contact your local Social Security office directly.
Christina
I WOULD LIKE TO SEE MORE DISABLED PEOPLE GOING BE BACK TO THE WORKFORCE WITHOUT DISCRIMATION FROM CORPORATIONS.
bijoy k.
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Bijoy
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Darius v.
I applied for disability and SSI account and been trying to get some information on the status.I have logged in to need new Social Security account many times and haven’t gotten anywhere. The message has told me for 3 months that a decision has been made and I would receive a letter, but I have gotten nothing. I would appreciate it if maybe you could help me get some information on this issue. Thank you.
James L.
Thanks for trying to use our online services – we appreciate it! After a medical decision has been made on the claim, the length of time it takes to process the application for payment can vary depending on whether your claim is randomly selected for a quality assurance review of the decision, or if we still need to verify documents or other personal information. We’re sorry for the wait you are experiencing, but we assure you that we care about our customers and are working as fast as we can. We encourage you to continue working with your local office, or if you have further questions, and would like to speak with someone regarding the status of your claim, call 1-800-772-1213, Monday through Friday between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. Generally, you’ll have a shorter wait time if you call later in the week.
Jean
I am disabled. .. i tryed to open online account like the rep at 1800 -772-1213 told me i can .. but when trying it would not let me ? Can u help and wen u call the number they dont tell u how to fix it issue. . Wen talk to rep lest for me it seems they don’t want to help me … i didnt get any letter saying there was problem. ..should be worried.