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.
Did you find this Information helpful?
Tags: fraud, social security, SSA
See CommentsAbout the Author
Phil Gambino, Assistant Deputy Commissioner, Communications
Assistant Deputy Commissioner for Communications
Comments
Comments are closed.
Susan
Annette Evans 308 Society Place Newtown Pa. 18940 is recieving her sons social security checks and he is in Horsham Clinic which is a hospital for metal ill l!! He has autism and is very high functioning! He does not receive any of his social security from his mother!!He just turned 18 in September!! Was receiving ssi due to his fathers death!! Now he is 18 not going to school due to being in hospital!! This is not the first time her son Christopher Evans was in hospital!! He at one time was in residential 8 months and time for at least 6 months!! Annette didn’t report this to social security!! I am not sure wether this fraud!!
L.A.
Hi Susan. Please report any fraud, waste, or abuse using the report found on this internet page. We hope this helps.
Mary A.
Received a scam call this morning from this number 917-338-7409. It is a New York number. I didn’t answer it when I didn’t recognize the caller. Thought you might want the number I received the call. If I have an email, I can send you the voicemail that was left.
L.A.
Hi Mary. Thanks for letting us know. Generally, we will only contact you if you have requested a call or have ongoing business with us. Recently, scams—misleading victims into making cash or gift card payments to avoid arrest for Social Security number problems—have skyrocketed. Our employees will never threaten you for information or promise a benefit in exchange for personal information or money.
If you receive a suspicious call like this: 1) Hang up. 2) Do not provide personal information, money, or retail gift cards. 3) Report suspicious calls here. For more information on how to protect yourself, check out our Frequently Asked Questions. We hope this helps.
charles m.
I want to report a phone number that keeps calling me telling me my soc. sec. number has been hacked, i did call the sheriffs office and they told me to report it to you so the number is 1800 510 6800 and some of my friends have been called also , hope you can find out who this is . thank you !
L.A.
Hi Charles. Thanks for letting us know. Generally, we will only contact you if you have requested a call or have ongoing business with us. Recently, scams—misleading victims into making cash or gift card payments to avoid arrest for Social Security number problems—have skyrocketed. Our employees will never threaten you for information or promise a benefit in exchange for personal information or money.
If you receive a suspicious call like this: 1) Hang up. 2) Do not provide personal information, money, or retail gift cards. 3) Report suspicious calls here. For more information on how to protect yourself, check out our Frequently Asked Questions. We hope this helps.
Diana L.
I have evidence that possibly more than 1 government employee in the Salinas, CA SSA field office, has intentionally destroyed or withheld my claimant documents that involve withholding my Notice of Award. This is intentional and negligent Spoliation of evidence. My local congressman’s liaison (Panetta’s office), is also well of this situation, as he is monitoring my SSI case. This case has to do with the release of my back pay benefits, awarded to me from ALJ Patrick Hannon, San Jose HOA. I’m asking for immediate assistance.
Wayne M.
I would like to know if both parents are living together and they are not married and they are taking their 3 years check and blowing money on themselves not the child even if the mother is the payee will the dad also have to pay back the money also I know they aren’t spending on the little girl they buy drugs beer and other stuff that don’t spend it on her please let me know what to do thanks
A.C.
Hi, Wayne. Thank you for your concern. Social Security takes reports of fraud very seriously. If you suspect fraud, go here to learn what information you need to submit a fraud report. We hope this helps.
Rafael E.
I disagree, next time I suspect fraud I will not call hotline at 1-800-269-0271 because it is a waste of time.
Yesterday, October 1, 2019 at 11:39 am, I received a phone call from Texas number 817-406-8371 and a recorded message said “mar department, to inform you there is a legal enforcement action filed on your social security number for fraudulent activity, so when you get this message, kindly call back as soon as possible before we begin with the legal proceeding. You can reach us on our direct number, which is 8 1 7 4 0 6 8 3 7 1 I repeat this 8 1 7 4 0 6 8 3 7 1. Thank you and have a nice day”.
I added that phone number to Block List but later the same day, at 1:55 pm another phone from the same number went into my mailbox and left a message with the same recorded message.
I did not call back.
I called the Social Security hot line 1-800-269-02471 to verify if that phone call was from them but all their representatives were busy; and after 20 minutes of waiting for a representative to become available I hanged up.
A.C.
Hi, Rafael. We are sorry to hear about your frustration. Suspicious calls can be reported to the Office of the Inspector General online. Additionally, you can report these scams to the Federal Trade Commission through a site specific to Social Security scams, here. We hope this helps.
Julie R.
I have called on daily basis almost to ss. They said were afraid to send any Moore mail. Forms for CDR l did get the scam call and reported it about benefits were suspended. So l immediately called they said no my benefits were not suspended. Then next day got letter benefits were suspended. Been working on trying to get paper work back to the ss office. Now it’s been going on 3 months no pay.
I’ve called and called telling me to come into office.
The post office collapsed during the storm.
Imelda. Trying to keep my 87 year old mother that l live with and pay monthly to live here . From having a nervous breakdown. I’m not able to leave her at this time.
What can l do?
L.A.
Hi Julie. We are sorry to hear about your situation. Unfortunately, but for your security, we do not have access to personal information on this forum. In your situation, it is best to contact your local Social Security office. Or, you can call our toll free number, 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778) and ask to speak with one of our representatives, who are available Monday through Friday between 7:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. We hope this helps.
Knowledgewilliams
Some try. To get. My. Social. Security card from me. And. They. Did. Why so. Use it.
Susan K.
My name is Susan Kay Tysen.I received a phone call from an Amanda Barnes claiming that my social security card was used on the southwest border of Texas. My email account is thetysens@sbcglobal.net and my home phone number is 317-576-0262. Please contact me to either, a. give you the last 4 digits of my card or b.a phone call or email indicating what I should do next. Finally, when I had a passport made and a license made, they made me write my full name Susan Kay Tysen.
L.A.
Hi Susan. Thank you for letting us know about these calls. We do not usually make random calls. If you or 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. Just a reminder – please be cautious about posting personal information on social media. We hope this helps.
Paul J.
A few years ago, there was the social security administration detected a fraud attempt on my account, so I blocked online access.
In a year, at age 70, I will start to collect social security. I would like to check my status and future benefits. How do I unblock online access to my social security account?
Thank you,
Paul J Leventhal
2084 Edge Rd
Syosset, NY 11791