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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Judy R.
I have spent the better part of the morning trying to report a potential telephone scam by someone impersonating the social security office. The number on the caller id is 210-742-5706. They said there was a legal issue with my social security number and I was to call a number they gave me.
V.V.
Hi Judy, thank you for checking in with us. Unfortunately there are some Social Security impersonation schemes that we are warning citizens about. See our two recent blog posts:
https://blog.ssa.gov/inspector-general-warns-public-about-oig-impersonation-schemes/
https://blog.ssa.gov/inspector-general-warns-public-about-caller-id-spoofing-scheme-misusing-ssa-customer-service-number/
If you have questions about any communication — email, letter, text or phone call — that claims to be from SSA, please contact your local Social Security office, or call Social Security’s toll-free customer service number at 1-800-772-1213, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday through Friday, to verify its legitimacy (TTY number at 1-800-325-0778). You may also report the information to the OIG at 1-800-269-0271 or online via https://oig.ssa.gov/report.
Kim S.
If a mother is the payee for her child and receives a check for the child and then the child turns 18 and the parent goes online and applies for benefits after the child turns 18 and informs SSI that the child is mentally incapable of making decisions but now the child is now receiving letters that his tax money will be taken. What steps does he need to take to get this situation investigated? Thank you in advance!
V.V.
Thank you for contacting us, Kim. Unfortunately, and because of security reasons, we do not have access to personal records in this blog and cannot assist you.
To inquire about benefit continuation at age 18, you will need to contact your local office or call our toll-free number at 1-800-772-1213. Representatives are available Monday through Friday, between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m.
martin r.
can u find ? lost social sec checks? aug ans sept?
John A.
I have received several calls regarding suspicious activity of my social security number. The message tells me to contact a phone number to avoid cancellation of my social security card. One of the numbers leaving a message is 843-306-4804 when trying to call the number back. I get a busy signal.
R.F.
Hello John. Social Security Administration (SSA) employees occasionally contact citizens by telephone for customer-service purposes. An SSA employee may call you in limited situations, such as if you recently filed a claim or have other Social Security business that are pending. In only a few limited special situations, usually already known to the citizen, an SSA employee may request the citizen to confirm personal information over the phone.
If a person has questions about any communication—email, letter, text or phone call—that claims to be from SSA or the OIG, please report that information to the OIG at 1-800-269-0271 or online via https://oig.ssa.gov/report. Thanks!
Rebecca S.
My daughter’s social security money was stolen by someone who hacked our account and I’ve reported it to the fraud department and they told me 90 days before we would get that money back! I’m furious! Why do we have to wait 90 days because of theives?? It’s ridiculous! And to top it off the money was taken from three states away at 1am!
Karrie S.
I m writting because I have no transportation to come in the office and I have been getting calls saying I’m under a Frud investigation.. I need someone to call me ASAP to solve this issue…. My number is 434-425-3721
R.F.
Hello Karrie, Social Security Administration (SSA) employees occasionally contact citizens by telephone for customer-service purposes. An SSA employee may call you in limited situations, such as if you recently filed a claim or have other Social Security business that are pending. In only a few limited special situations, usually already known to the citizen, an SSA employee may request the citizen to confirm personal information over the phone.
If a person receives a suspicious call from someone alleging to be from SSA, citizens may report that information to the OIG at 1-800-269-0271 or online via https://oig.ssa.gov/report. Thanks!
Allan g.
Ok so say if one in ur family is on ssi and he’s ur uncule and u are not on ssi at that very time and as of being on ssi as of now ssi comets an idenety theft in an fraudul way and u almost lose ur life for what they try saying about ur uncul on ssi they try to pretty much say my belongings are hit and my life but its not tru about the reson and evrytime they step in it causes identify theft over and over again like a broken record and this is no joke I got even hit with lightning don’t no if it were them for the same per pose or what is going on any way ur help would be very helpful thanks and it kinda hard to explain
Elizabeth B.
I reported abusive loss of my SSDI, paid to an awful fake inpatient “rehab” program that I could have taught better. I complained more than five times to Social Security yet they never, ever investigated. 38 months of my SSDI were fraudulently paid to an absolutely horrible, fake therapeutic program which I spent every day correcting idiotic mistakes made by employees who literally knew nothing. This inpatient “rehab” program is a scam, a cheat, horrible review of what I learned in elementary school! So why was I literally locked up there for 38 months?? I truly walked out of that fake hospital stupider than I was the day I got there! I reported this scam at least five times. Why does Social Security Administration never investigate reports of fraud, theft, abuse, imprisonment, wasting my money when I would have spent that money on vocational training to enable me to return to work??
Nellie P.
I didn’t get my social security monthly benefits for Oct 2018 Nellie Padilla direct deposit born 4/5/1952
R.F.
Hello Nellie. Unfortunately, and because of security reasons we do not have access to personal records in this blog and cannot answer your question at this time. One of our representatives should be able to provide you with an explanation.
Please call our toll free number at 1-800-772-1213 for assistance. 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!
TERRY L.
I AM AN EMPLOYER OF FOUR SEASONS ROOFING. I AM TRYING TO MAKE SURE SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBERS THAT ARE GIVEN AT TIME OF HIRE ARE INDEED TRUE AND CORRECT.
V.V.
Thank you for your question, Terry. If you are an employer and need to verify a Social Security number, please see our Social Security Number Verification Services web page.