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False Statements on
Claims
When applying for Social Security Benefits, individuals
state that all information they provide on the forms are
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 driver's
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 Terrorist 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 contact 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 standard 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 the Social Security Administration (SSA)
of the receipt of workers' compensation benefits, call the
Social Security fraud hotline toll-free number at 1-800-269-0271
or use our Public
Fraud Reporting Form.
Reports of suspected Workers' Compensation fraud by current
or former Social Security Administration employees
receiving federal Workers' Compensation benefits only
should be reported to the SSA WC fraud toll-free number,
1-866-509-0774. This number is specifically designated to
receive such complaints.
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www.socialsecurity.gov
