Disability, Frauds & Scams, General, Retirement, Survivors

Social Security Takes Fraud Seriously

June 15, 2015 • By

Reading Time: 1 Minute

Last Updated: August 19, 2021

An identity thief holds a Social Security card in front of a keyboardOne 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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About the Author

Phil Gambino, Assistant Deputy Commissioner, Communications

Assistant Deputy Commissioner for Communications

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Comments

  1. Dawn A.

    I accidentally emailed my and spouses SSN to an unknown email address. I have done Credit Bureau freezes. Is there anything I need to do with SS office

  2. Arturo a.

    i wish i could agree, but the same company the goverment has put in charge of my ssi directexpress has in the last 8 years denied over a dozen complaints i had due to fraudulant charges. they have taken hundreds of dollars from my check just this month over 130 dollars taken and when i file a complaint they have never ruled in my favor its sad and frustrating. something needs to be done.

  3. Katherine H.

    Have complained several time to S.S. about a neighbor who commits S.S. fraud but to of no avail. Tony Roberts at 489 Coby Dr. Ozark, AL. 36360 claims that he injured his back when he fell off a 3 story building as a roofer. Have videos of him pushing/pulling a lawn mover even bending over significantly to reach under a bush. He has worked under the table as a roofer and I know this because he told me. He even sold his beloved Harley Davidson motorcycle, purchased a really nice extended cab white truck, and have witnessed him removing various tools from his truck after being gone for several days on a job.

  4. Brian K.

    I received a voicemail that my Social Security number has been suspended due to vicious activity. I am trying to determine if this is fraud. They left me a number to call of 1800-459-8632

    • Ann C.

      Hi, Brian. Thanks for checking in with us. We do not usually make random calls. If anyone receives calls saying that they are from Social Security, do not give out any personal information. Suspicious calls should be reported to the Office of the Inspector General at 1-800-269-0271 or online. You can also report these scams to the Federal Trade Commission through a new site specific to Social Security scams, here. You can find additional information here. We hope this helps.

  5. Eric

    My wife is my provider and receives Ihss payments for me, Are these payments exempt from SSI or will they decrease my monthly benefit.

  6. COURTNEY L.

    I SUSPECTED WASTE FRAUD AND ABUSE THRU SOCIAL SECURITY HEARING JUDGE OUT OF THE INDEPENDENCE OFFICE THIS JUDGE THREATENED TO HAVE ME MURDERED IF I TOLD ABOUT THE INCIDENT WITH MALPRACTICE IN FORTSCOTT KANSAS AT TIME I PROCLAIMED TO BE DISABLED FROM A WRONGFUL ACT BY A DOCTOR. HE STATED HE WOULD LE A SERIAL MURDERER AFTER ME IF I TOLD HE MUST BE RELATED TO THE FORTSCOTT FAMILY PHYSICIANS OFFICE. I HAVE RECIEVED STRANGE STUFF ON MY PAYMENTS AND ON INSURANCE SINCE OCTOBER 2017. I ALSO HAD TO RUN FOR MY LIFE WITH OUT HAVING MY OWN HOME. IM AFRAID IM STILL BEING FOLLOWED BY THE OFFENDERS HE SENT AFTER ME.H TOO MAY ALSO BE IN GRAVE DANGER. HELP I NEED A NAME CHANGE AND WOULD LIKE TO SURRENDER MY SOCIAL SECURITY CARD FOR A NEW ONE. IM HACKED BY PERUVIAN AND VENUZWALEN EXTREAMIST AND TARGETED BY NIGERIAN SUICIDE MILITANT EX HUSBAND ADEKUNLE ADEMILUYI. WE ARE DIVORCED I ACCUSED HIM OF MURDER I TOLD POLICE AS WELL.

  7. Marla B.

    the physical rehab facility where I was a resident, opened my mail and tried to get me to sign a check I had already received. I refused to sign it. The facility Miller Beach Terrace in Gary Indiana forged my name and cashed it. Now SS wants the overpayment returned to them. They are coming after me for the overpayment. In reality Miller Beach Terrace should reimburse SS. Thanks in advance to your attention to this matter. I will further delve into this matter on March 19, during regular business hours

  8. Susan T.

    I know someone, a 54 year old male who is being abused or voluntarily giving his abudive family his entire Social Security Che k for the 8 years i’ve known him! Initially, he told me the so-called family said he’s no good with finances but he’s financing his family’s cars etc & he’s without transportation as they drive & he’s totally dependent on them!!! It’s bizarre & he tells me he doesn’t care ! His brother’s a convicted felon but uses my friend to work 10 hr shifts as if a Slavs & he can’t move he’s like a slave in Jonestown!
    Kenneth Vecchio does not have control of anything g & his civil rights are being violated by malignant narcissist mom , bro & sis who keep
    Himmisolated with even his bed time co trolled!
    His check in excess of $1100/mo th he never sees!

  9. Kathleen G.

    I wanted to report a fraud call from 1-678-500-9328. Person said he was Officer Brian Smith from Social Sec Administration in Houston Tx. He started to ask me questions like, verify who I was and last 4 digits of my social. I didn’t do that but I called back the number and the same person answered. I told him I would call the Social Sec Office to see if this was a fraud. I don’t like the fact that your websites ask for my SS# as who knows if these sites are really what we think they are. Take this as the report as I’m not going to leave my SS# on any website.

  10. John

    I applied for disability July 24 2018,the last day i worked was July 9 2018. and was approved for payments beginning Jan 2019. Will I receive back pay for July thru Dec 2018

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