The following are questions that individuals frequently
ask when they contact our office:
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1. What if I can't reach anyone at the Fraud Hotline between the hours
of 10:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. (EST)?
You can report Social Security program fraud directly to
any Social Security office, including representatives at
the Social Security Administration's (SSA) toll-free number,
1-800-772-1213, from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. SSA employees can
take your information and send it directly to our office,
Office of the Inspector General, Office of Investigations.
You can also report fraud to us by U.S. mail, fax, or through
the Internet using our Fraud
Reporting Form. Refer to Report
Fraud to the Hotline for more information.
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2.
My Representative Payee is misusing my benefits. What should I do?
Refer to Representative Payee Misuse.
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3. What should I do if my wallet containing my Social Security
Card is lost or stolen?
Our office does not investigate the loss or theft of personal property
including wallets and purses containing personal identification. If
your wallet or purse containing your Social Security Card is stolen,
contact your local police department immediately to file a theft report.
You should also contact the Social Security Administration directly
at:
- 1-800-772-1213 to request a replacement Social Security Card.
Refer
to How
to Apply for a Social Security Card.
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4. Someone is using my SSN. What can I do to protect myself?
Refer to the following information regarding Identity
Theft.
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5. Can the Social Security Administration, Office of the
Inspector General place a fraud alert on my Social Security Number?
No, we cannot place a fraud alert on your Social Security number.
If you discover that you are an identity theft victim, you should read
the following information regarding Identity Theft.
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6.
Who should I contact if someone used my Social Security Number to obtain
credit?
If you believe that someone else has used your Social Security
Number to obtain credit, refer to the following information
regarding Identity Theft.
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7.
I'm having problems with my Federal tax returns and it involves the
misuse of my Social Security Number. What should I do
to get it resolved?
Problems with Federal tax returns must be resolved by the Internal
Revenue Service (IRS). This includes the misuse of a Social Security
Number on a tax return. The IRS provides a toll free number to assist
with questions related to tax problems. The toll-free number is:
If someone incorrectly listed your Social Security Number or your
child's Social Security Number on their tax return, or if the IRS has
notified you that your refund cannot be processed because someone else
has already used your Social Security Number on their tax return, you
should contact the IRS at the number listed above.
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8. What information is needed
to file a fraud complaint?
We need as much identifying information as you can provide, which
includes the name, address and Social Security number (or date of birth,
approximate
age, mother's or father's name if the Social Security Number is not available)
of the person whom you are reporting. If you are reporting concealed
work activity, the following information is helpful - the name of the
employer,
employer's address and phone number, and when you think the work activity
began. For more information, please visit the "What
Do I Need To Know When Contacting the Hotline" section of this website.
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9. Can I get the status report
of my fraud complaint?
The Hotline cannot provide status reports or any information regarding
the disposition of your allegation. The information you provide will be
processed according to our guidelines and appropriate action will be taken.
We ask that you do not call the Hotline with requests for status as in
most instances, Federal law enforcement records cannot be disclosed to
third parties, even if the third party is the individual making the allegation.
For information on the laws governing access to these and other Social
Security Administration records, please visit http://www.ssa.gov/foia.
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10.
Why does it take so long before I can speak to a live person when
I call the Hotline?
Due to the high volume of calls, we have provided individuals with
alternative ways to contact us. Refer to our section on how to
Report Fraud to the Hotline for more information.
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11.
What if I am dissatisfied with a decision I received from Social Security
regarding my claim?
Our office is legally barred from interfering in the administration
or adjudication of your Social Security claim. We are also prohibited from
interceding on your behalf in any step of the adjudicative process. The
fact that your claim has been denied is not the basis for an OIG investigation.
If you believe that SSA did not properly consider all of the facts in your
claim, you should avail yourself of the procedural steps for reconsideration
and appeal. Refer to The
Appeals Process webpage for more information.
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12. Someone
may be using my Social Security Number for work purposes. What should
I do?
You can determine if someone is using your Social Security
number for work purposes by completing a request for a Social
Security Statement (Form 7004). Your Social Security Statement
contains a record of the earnings on which you have paid Social Security
taxes during your working years. It also provides a summary of the
estimated benefits you and your family may receive as a result of those
earnings. You can request this form by contacting the Social Security
toll-free number, 1-800-772-1213, or visiting your local Social Security
office. After you complete this form and return it to Social Security,
you can expect to receive your statement in 4 to 6 weeks. If you find
that earnings have been posted to your record that do not belong to
you, re-contact Social Security or visit your local Social Security
office to have the earnings removed.
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13. I have worked for the same
company for many years. I was told by my company that Social Security
and other withholding taxes were submitted to the Internal Revenue
Service. However, I have since discovered that my company has not reported
my wages. What should I do?
If you have received a W-2 statement from your employer and it does
not reflect withholdings, you should contact Social Security directly at
1-800-772-1213 and provide them with the information that is reflected
on your W-2 statement. You may also take your W-2 statement to your local
Social Security office to get the information corrected.
If you do not have a W-2 statement and you are concerned that your employer is
improperly withholding or failing to withhold Social Security, Federal income
or employment taxes, you should report this matter directly to the Internal Revenue
Service at its toll-free number of 1-800-829-1040. Employers may be subject to
criminal sanctions for willfully failing to pay employment taxes. For further
information, visit their website at www.treas.gov/irs/ci/.
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14.
How do I report suspected illegal aliens or suspected illegal immigration
activity?
Reports of illegal aliens or suspected illegal immigration activity
should be reported to the Department of Homeland Security Bureau
of Immigration and Customs Enforcement Hotline; their toll-free
number is:
- 1-866-DHS-2ICE (1-866-347-2423).
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15.
Where can I find information on SSA/OIG's Fugitive Felon Program?
Law enforcement agencies can help SSA by sharing information about
fugitive felons, parole violators, and probation violators with SSA’s
Office of the Inspector General (OIG). Please visit our Fugitive
Felon Program home page for more information.
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