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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Dan
I too see a neighbor who has one disability. She bought a fairly new Chrysler 300 and shops. Claims her arms are weak but she can carry in the packages from shopping.
In my opinion she could work but is simply lazy. I do in mind that karma will get her.
Thank you
Pablo
My sibling made up ailments and receives disability payments and brags about it – I report it online and try to call but no one ever answers the phone and no one ever investigates it…it is disgusting that this person gets away with this theft….and the System doesnt seem to care….
Maria D.
My father received some sort of SS checks on the mail with my name on them, however he spent them in the bar and elsewhere. About 4 months before my 18th birthday he sent me away and kept claiming me to be in his home, under his care. But I have been living on my own, since I attend college and am paying it out of my own pocket. He also might be claiming my other siblings whom do not live with him, receiving their checks as well. What can I do?
J.Y.
Hi Maria, Generally, we pay Social Security benefits to the parent or the family member who is the primary care provider of the children, if the children live with them. If you think your father is misusing benefits, you must report it immediately. Please call 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778) Monday through Friday, between 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. to speak to one of our representatives. Or you can contact your local Social Security office. Thanks!
J.Y.
Hi Maria, Generally, we pay Social Security benefits to the parent or the family member who is the primary care provider of the children, if the children live with them. If you think your father is misusing benefits, you must report it immediately. Please call 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778) Monday through Friday, between 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. to speak to one of our representatives. Or you can contact your local Social Security office. Thanks!
Kenneth c.
Isn’t this wild only two days ago I that number. And was informed they the only they done was helped people who was applying
Mathieu G.
I worked for a company last year from July 2014 to November 2014 ,this year i receive my social security administration statement my earnings dont mention in it.what can i do?
Mathieu G.
I worked for a company last year , from July to November , when i receive the statement from social security administration , i see the employer dont report my earnings to social security administration. Please what can i do?
R.F.
Hi Mathieu. One reason some or all of your earnings from last year may not show on your Social Security Statement is because we may have been processing last year’s earnings reports when your Statement was prepared. Earning statements are updated annually, when employers report their employees’ earnings for the previous year to Social Security. We recommend that you contact the human resources department of your former employer first. We also recommend that you create a my Social Security account, which allows you to review your earnings record, get estimates of your future retirement benefits, and show you the estimated Social Security and Medicare taxes you’ve paid. For further assistance call our toll free number at 1-800-772-1213, Monday through Friday, between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. Thanks!
Jean
How do i get report of earnings from when used to work???
Crystal
How long does it take for an investigation? My ex husband was getting a check for our kids that I have for over 7 years. I turned in school records to my local SS office.
Scott
My father receives SSI/SSA benefits. He was in a horrible accident on the 2nd of July of this year. He was hospitalized and then sent to a Nursing Home. He is in a vegetative state and it’s just a matter of time now till he passes. He had a live in girlfriend when this happened, she has access to his debit card and has been spending all of his money. She claims it’s for their apartment and utilities..From day 1 we all knew he was never returning home… Can she do this? She collected July, August and September’s money. Now the Nursing Home receives it all for his care. I personally think its theft, they were not married and have only been together a very short time.
Tracy S.
I know someone who is committing SSI fraud for the last 8 years. I have turned them in 5 times to the Office Inspector General, the person committing fraud is still continuing to work, even posting internet solicitations on Google etc. There is so much evidence against this person, why hasn’t Social Security investigating this matter, I have given very clear, and concise information including their business numbers and addresses etc. to this day they are still in business and collecting SSI payments at the same time, what a shame this case is extremely easy to process all the evidence is clear, fraud is being committed and nothing for the past 8 years nothing has been done, and the taxpayers continue to “fit the bill” for this person who is criminal, please do something about this matter!
R.F.
Tracy, thanks so much for helping us fight fraud. When allegations of fraud are reported to our Office of the Inspector General, they conduct the required investigations, but federal regulations prohibit the disclosure of information contained in law enforcement records even to the individual making the allegation. So unless you are contacted directly by one of our investigators, there will be no further communication from the OIG. Keep in mind, however, that it is possible for people with disabilities receiving Social Security or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) to work and still receive their benefits. The law requires SSI beneficiaries to report their wages monthly, and we monitor their work activity and pay them benefits accordingly. The amount of their SSI benefit is based, in part, on their income and available resources.
darlene
I know a few people that collect ssd and there is nothing wrong with them but all they do is drugs with that money, so sad
Maranda
I have a social security person threatened me about my benefits because of my payee what do I do