Social Security:
Fraud Prevention and Reporting (En español)

Nosotros take fraud seriously and so should y'all

A message from Social Security

We are committed to preventing, detecting, and eliminating fraud in our programs.

Our mission is to deliver services that meet the irresolute needs of the public. Every day our employees diligently piece of work to ensure the public receives the services and benefits they deserve. We strive to ensure the integrity of our programs and provide a high level of service to the public despite the efforts of those who seek to abuse our programs.

What is Social Security fraud?

Fraud involves obtaining something of value through willful misrepresentation. In the context of our programs, fraud exists when a person with intent to defraud makes, or causes to be made, a simulated argument, or misrepresents, conceals, or fails to disembalm a material fact for use in determining rights under the Social Security Act. Information is "cloth" when information technology could influence our determination on entitlement or eligibility to benefits under the Act.

Examples of fraud include:

  • Making simulated statements on claims.
  • Concealing facts or events that affect eligibility for benefits.
  • Misusing benefits by a representative payee.
  • Failing to notify the agency of the decease of a casher and standing to receive the deceased person'south benefits.
  • Buying or selling Social Security cards.
  • Filing claims nether another person'due south Social Security number (SSN).
  • Scamming people by impersonating our employees.
  • Bribing our employees.
  • Misusing grant or contract funds.

Scammers commit fraud

We use emails, text letters, and social media to provide information on our programs and services. However, we volition not request personal or financial data through these methods. Sometimes, we transport emails with data that are item to your needs, commonly after a give-and-take with you in person or over the phone. When we make phone contact, information technology is oftentimes to confirm the legitimacy of claims.

Be alert! It is of import to beware of scammers pretending to be from Social Security. Reports nearly fraudulent phone calls from people claiming to exist from our agency continue to increase.

We may call you in some situations, simply will never:

  • Threaten yous.
  • Suspend your SSN.
  • Need immediate payment from you lot.
  • Require payment past retail gift bill of fare, wire transfer, internet currency, or mailing cash.
  • Promise a do good increase or other assist in exchange for payment.

If you receive a suspicious call from someone alleging to exist from our bureau, hang up, and so report details of the call to the Role of the Inspector General (OIG) at https://oig.ssa.gov/.

To minimize unwanted phone calls, consider placing your phone number(s) on the National Do Not Phone call Registry. You can register your home or mobile telephone for complimentary. Visit www.donotcall.gov or call (888) 382-1222 to learn more than.

Please share this information with your friends and family unit to assistance spread sensation about Social Security scams.

Protecting whats important to you

Social Security combats fraud

Social Security has zilch tolerance for fraud. We diligently work at the national, regional, and local level to combat fraud that undermines our mission to serve the American public.

To meet this challenge, we work closely with the OIG who investigates allegations of fraud and seek to bring offenders to justice. They refer cases to U.Southward. attorneys within the Section of Justice, among other country and local prosecuting authorities, for prosecution as a federal criminal offence.

Visit our OIG's Investigations page to view a list of recent fraud investigations.

Measures you lot can accept to prevent identity theft

  • Exercise non routinely carry your SSN.
  • Never say your SSN aloud in public.
  • Beware of phishing scams (emails, internet links, and phone calls) to trick you into revealing personal data.
  • Create a personal my Social Security account to help you keep track of your records and place whatever suspicious activity.
  • Consider calculation these blocks to your account with us:
    • The eServices block — It prevents anyone, including you, from seeing or changing your personal information on the internet. In one case nosotros add the block, yous or your representative will demand to contact your local office to request removal of the block.
    • The Direct Eolith Fraud Prevention block — This prevents anyone, including you, from enrolling in directly deposit or changing your address or straight eolith data through my Social Security or a financial institution (via auto-enrollment). Once we add the block, you or your representative will need to contact your local role to asking removal of the block or make any time to come changes to directly eolith or contact information.
  • Visit If You lot Want Extra Security to get data regarding extra security.

Protecting whats important to you

How to report fraud

Do yous doubtable someone of committing fraud, waste matter, or corruption against Social Security? You can contact the OIG's fraud hotline at 1-800-269-0271 or submit a study online at https://oig.ssa.gov/.

If you lot receive a suspicious telephone call from someone alleging to exist from our bureau, hang upward, and so report details of the call to the OIG at https://oig.ssa.gov/.

Our investigations are almost successful when you provide equally much information equally possible about the declared doubtable(s) and/or victim(s) involved. The more yous tin tell us, the better chance nosotros take of determining whether a crime has been committed. Every bit you make full out a fraud allegation, delight include the following about the declared suspect(s) and/or victim(s):

  • Names.
  • Addresses.
  • Telephone numbers.
  • Dates of birth.
  • SSN(s).

It'south helpful to know facts nearly the alleged fraud, such as:

  • Description of the fraud.
  • Location where the fraud took place.
  • When the fraud took place.
  • How the fraud was committed.
  • Why the person committed the fraud (if known).
  • Who else has knowledge of the potential violation?

OIG will carefully review your accusation and accept appropriate action. All the same, they cannot provide data regarding the actions taken on any reported allegation. Federal regulations prohibit the disclosure of data contained in law enforcement records, fifty-fifty to the individual making the allegation.

To learn more nigh reporting fraud, visit OIG's Reporting Other Problems page. You volition find information most Misuse of SSNs, Elder Corruption, Directly Express Account Fraud, and more than. Also, sentinel their video "How to Study Social Security Fraud" for more details about the fraud referral process.