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Fraud Topic Fact Sheets
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False Statements on Claims
When applying for Social Security Benefits, individuals state that
all information they provide on the forms is true and correct to
the best of their knowledge. If a person reports something they
know is not true, it may be a crime. For example:
- An individual indicates on their application that they are not
married when in fact they are married or living as such.
- An applicant claims to be blind and unable to drive a motor
vehicle when in fact the individual possesses a valid drivers
license and is observed driving.
- A person indicates they do not have any income, when in fact
they make money from an outside source such as rental income or
an insurance policy.
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Concealing
Material Facts or Events that Affect Eligibility for Benefits
It may be considered fraud if a person makes a false statement
on an application or does not tell SSA of certain facts that may
affect benefits. For example:
- A person fails to report that they are working or have returned
to work.
- A person fails to report they are in jail.
- A person fails to notify SSA of the death of a beneficiary and
continues to receive and cash the checks of the deceased person.
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Misuse of Benefits by a Representative Payee
Sometimes, people who receive Social Security benefits are not
able to handle their own financial affairs. In those cases, and
after careful investigation, Social Security appoints a relative,
friend or another interested party to handle money received from
their Social Security matters. That person is called a representative
payee. A representative payee can also be an organization, such
as a nursing home. (Individuals who have power of attorney over
someone does not automatically qualify that person to be a representative
payee.)
Representative payees are required by law to use benefits properly.
Benefits should first be used for the beneficiary's day-to-day needs
of food and shelter. Then, benefits may be used for the beneficiary's
personal needs, such as clothing, recreation, and other expenses.
Benefits can also be used to pay for medical needs or for care in
a residential institution.
Prohibited actions of a Representative Payee
It may be considered fraud if Representative Payees:
- Use a beneficiary's funds for the representative payee's personal
expenses, or spend money in a way that would leave the beneficiary
without necessary items or services (housing, food and medical
care).
- Put money received from the Social Security Administration
as a representative payee in the representative payee's or another
person's account.
- Keep conserved funds once they are no longer a representative
payee for the beneficiary.
- Charge the beneficiary for services unless authorized by the
Social Security Administration to do so.
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Buying or Selling Social Security Cards or
SSA Information
If you become aware of any of the situations below, please contact
the OIG Fraud Hotline:
- Buying and selling of counterfeit or legitimate Social Security
cards
- Misuse of a Social Security number by someone to obtain Social
Security benefits
Please be prepared to provide as much of the following information
as possible:
- Who is buying/selling the cards? Include as much identifying
information as possible; for example name, address, phone numbers,
date of birth, Social Security number (both actual and one used
illegitimately).
- Where are the cards being sold?
- How would someone contact the individual to purchase a counterfeit
card?
- How much do the cards cost? How is payment made?
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SSN Misuse Involving People with Links to Terrorrist
Groups or Activities
The SSA/OIG is committed to protecting the security of our Nation.
If you know of anyone or any group misusing SSNs for the purpose
of committing terrorist acts, please contact our fraud hotline immediately.
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Crimes Involving SSA Employees
As public servants, SSA Employees are expected to maintain a high
level of integrity when it comes to facilitating the business of
the Social Security Administration. As such, SSA/OIG takes seriously
any crimes involving SSA employees. For example, is an SSA Employee
selling Social Security Cards? Is an employee stealing checks from
beneficiaries? If you believe an SSA Employee is committing these
or any other crime against the Social Security Administration, please
contact the OIG Fraud Hotline.
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Scams Involving the Impersonation of an SSA
Employee
We sometimes receive reports where individuals have been contacted
by someone pretending to be an SSA employee. The intent of this
type of call may be to steal your identity and/or money from your
bank accounts. The caller generally asks you for personal information
such as your Social Security number, date of birth, your mother's
maiden name, or your bank or financial account information.
The impersonator may state that "the SSA computers are down"
or may refer to enrollment in the Medicare prescription drug program.
The intent of this type of call may be to steal your identity and/or
money from your bank accounts. You should not provide any of this
information to these individuals.
It is possible that an SSA employee may contact you to follow-up
on a previous application for SSA/Medicare Part D benefits or to
follow-up on other business you initiated with SSA. If you are unsure
as to the authenticity of someone who claims to be an SSA employee,
please call SSA's toll-free number:
- 1-800-772-1213 to verify the reason for the
contact and the person's identity prior to providing any information
to the caller.
If you wish to report a call from someone you suspect is impersonating
an SSA employee, please provide us with the following details:
- Caller's alleged name
- Caller's telephone number
- Time and date the call was made
- Information requested by the caller
- Other identifying information or details about the content of
the call
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Bribery
of a Social Security Administration Employee
It is illegal for anyone to offer a government employee anything
of value, such as money or gifts, in exchange for government services.
For example, it is illegal for a person to offer to pay a Social
Security employee to approve their application for disability benefits.
It is also illegal for a government employee to demand payment for
any Social Security services provided. An SSA employee should not
charge an individual to provide a Social Security card. If you believe
this or any other form of bribery has happened, please call the
Fraud Hotline.
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Fraud or Misuse of Grant or Contracting Funds
As a government agency, the SSA oversees hundreds of contracts
and grants. The Fraud Hotline processes allegations of fraud, waste,
or mismanagement related to contracts and grants. The following
are examples of grant or contract fraud:
- A contractor is using substandard supplies.
- A contractor has paid or offered to pay an SSA employee in
return for winning the contract.
If you believe someone is misusing an SSA grant or contract, please
contact us.
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Standards of Conduct Violations
Public Service is a public trust. All SSA employees are bound by
the Standards of Ethical Conduct for Employees of the Executive
Branch. Violations of this include accepting gifts and/or money
from a person doing business with SSA, holding financial interests
that conflict with official duties, not obeying any federal, state,
or local laws or regulations. If you know of an SSA employee violating
these, or anything else you believe to be a standards of conduct
issue, please contact us.
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Worker's Compensation Fraud
Generally, Social Security disability benefits are reduced for
persons who are receiving Workers' Compensation. If you believe
a person receiving Social Security disability has not informed SSA
of the receipt of Workers' Compensation benefits, you should report
that information to our Hotline.
Reports of suspected Workers' Compensation fraud pertaining to an
SSA employee should be made to the SSA toll-free number specifically
designated to receive such complaints. The number to call is 866-509-0774.
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