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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Tyree b.
My dad appplied for social security in my name without me knowing and keeps money to himself is this legal
Patricia T.
I worked 10 extra years under Social Security. When the time came to retire, I was told that because I had a pension, I would have 2/3 of my Social Security payment taken from me. This happened during the Reagan era. It is the Windfall Elimination Provision. I worked fair and square for that money. I was not going to get much, but it is not fair to only give me 1/3 of what I am supposed to get.
Dora R.
My son was just denied disability again,they said he did not respond in required time. We went to a hearing in April of 2017, he was denied when judge stated there was no mention of his being on home oxygen , so we sent in paper work within a month, they said they never received it. We went to the SS office and took the paper work again, the worker did not give us a stamped receipt stating she received. We waited the required time of at least 90 days, then we called and again they said they never received. Again we sent in another request for an appeal and more paper work, again they said they did not receive it. Finally we got the name of Sally Duran and she said to fax the paper work to her and she would get it to the right person. Today May 29,2018 my son received a letter of denial because he did not request for appeal in time. Now they say he can appeal again but they will start date as March of 2018. So basically they want to not pay him for the last 3yrs since he originally applied. Who can we contact to get help.
A.C.
Hi, Dora. Unfortunately, but for security reasons, we do not have access to personal records in this blog. Your son can contact his local Social Security office directly to discuss his situation. If he is unable to visit the local office, he 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, he will have a shorter wait time if he calls later in the day. We hope this is resolved soon.
A f.
Hello. I want to ask a question. My husband is on disability 100% due to 2 neck surgery. He is a licensed barber and cuts sometimes. He can work if he wanted to part time but he don’t want to. He’s always going to clubs and party’s and dances at all of them. He is a big social person. Loves to dress up wear suits all day and goes visiting and plays corn hole and ext. we just started a divorce process and he wants maintenance fee because he claims he’s disabled yet he travels out of town and hits all the dances. Many many many we went to. And posts on FB. As we did for years and years. Can a judge look at all the social media stuff and pics of how he just chooses not to work when he can do more than just nothing. He does all the yard work and etc. please help me on what to do.
Fran
Hello. I want to ask a question. My husband is on disability 100% due to 2 neck surgery. He is a licensed barber and cuts sometimes. He can work if he wanted to part time but he don’t want to. He’s always going to clubs and party’s and dances at all of them. He is a big social person. Loves to dress up wear suits all day and goes visiting and plays corn hole and ext. we just started a divorce process and he wants maintenance fee because he claims he’s disabled yet he travels out of town and hits all the dances. Many many many we went to. And posts on FB. As we did for years and years. Can a judge look at all the social media stuff and pics of how he just chooses not to work when he can do more than just nothing. He does all the yard work and etc. please help me on what to do.
Donna C.
My Mother and Father were scammed last month and they stole my Fathers ssi benefit. It was tagged by the ssi office, but they changed direct deposit anyway. They are not doing well and I dont know what else to do. we filed a police report, and they set up some credit score accounts. Any help would be so appreciated .
Sincerely Donna Chambers
Kriss E.
Please let me know how you are handling this , my mother is a victim of fraud as well and we are trying to get her direct deposit taken off and a paper check sent to her , she doesn’t want to deal with banks any longer , we are looking for some answers and hope in this situation .
R.F.
Hi Kriss. Unfortunately, but for security reasons, we do not have access to personal records in this blog. Please contact 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 during the day or later in the week. Thanks.
CLIFFORD D.
I would like a mailing adress for the form number.omb.no.0960-0719
Jennifer A.
My brother’s wife (now ex-wife) used his SSN to obtain a payday loan. She obtained the loan via internet/phone, but did it without his permission. He can file a police report, but is there anything else he can do? He has already contacted the payday loan company and they didn’t seem to be concerned with the fraud.
Janine P.
My husband Allen Lloyd Deacon died May 31, 2003.
His Mother filed for his Social Security but said he had No Living Spouse or children!
Our daughter received his belongings including the paperwork regarding Allens social security benefits paid to his mother, Bonnie Janine Deacon!
His Death certificate even shows spouse Unknown and no living children!
We never divorced! And we had 1 daughter together!
Please let me know if something can be done about
this! I did not remarry until 2006, June 6
Thank you
Denise
I know someone that is the representative payee for their child’s SSI check. This person receives the check even when the child is with the other parent for a little over 2 months out of the year per their divorce decree. How can this be legal? The child’s other parent often asks for some of the money to be able to help while the child is in their care and the representative payee says no. The monies are obviously not being used for the child’s needs during those months. Is there something the other parent can do about this?