What is Social Security Fraud?

Generally speaking, fraud involves obtaining something of value through willful misrepresentation. In the context of the Social Security Administration program, the Agency policy states that fraud exists when a person with intent to defraud makes, or causes to be made, a false statement, or misrepresents, conceals, or fails to disclose a material fact for use in determining rights under the Social Security Act. Information is “material” when it could influence SSA’s determination on entitlement or eligibility to benefits under the Act.

Examples of fraud include:

• Making false 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 death of a beneficiary and continuing to receive the deceased person’s benefits
• Buying or selling Social Security Cards
• Filing claims under another person’s Social Security number (SSN)
• Scamming people by impersonating SSA employees
• Bribing SSA employees
• Misusing grant or contract funds