Report Fraud to the Hotline
The Social Security Administration (SSA) Office of the Inspector General (OIG) Fraud Hotline provides an avenue for individuals to report fraud, waste, and abuse within the SSA's programs and operations. We handle allegations regarding violations of law or regulations affecting SSA programs and operations.
Image: Question Mark Icon What Should You Report to the Fraud Hotline?
There are a variety of situations that may be considered fraud in our SSA programs. Some examples are:
* Receives Social Security Benefits for a Child Not under their care.
* Continues to Receive and Use Benefits Belonging to a Deceased Person.
* Conceals their Marriage or Assets from SSA While Receiving Disability Benefits.
* Resides Overseas and is Receiving Disability Benefits.
Below are several examples of potential violations that affect Social Security programs or operations. You can click on each topic below to learn more.
* False statements on claims
* Concealing material facts or events that affect eligibility for benefits
* Misuse of benefits by a Representative Payee
* Buying or selling Social Security Card or SSA information
* SSN misuse involving people with links to terrorist groups or activities
* Identity Theft - when someone else uses your Social Security Number
* Crimes involving SSA employees
* Scams involving the impersonation of an SSA employee
* Bribery
* Fraud or misuse of grant or contracting funds
* Standards of conduct violations
* Workers' Compensation fraud
Image: Question Mark Icon What Should I Not Report to the Fraud Hotline?
Questions about Social Security Benefits
The Fraud Hotline cannot assist individuals with questions about their Social Security account, requests for new or replacement Social Security number (SSN) cards, or issues involving the granting or denial of benefits. These issues can be addressed by:
* Contacting SSA at 1-800-772-1213 (toll free), or
* By visiting SSA's website at http://www.socialsecurity.gov/reach.htm.
Medicare or Medicaid Fraud
In addition, if you wish to report Medicare or Medicaid fraud, please contact:
* The Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General at 1-800-447-8477, or
* Visit their website at http://oig.hhs.gov/hotline.html.
Identity Theft
The use of your Social Security number by someone else to obtain credit, loans, telephone accounts, or other goods and services should be reported to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). The FTC collects complaints about identity theft from those whose identities have been stolen. Although the FTC does not have the authority to bring criminal cases, the FTC can help victims of identity theft by providing information to assist them in resolving the financial and other problems that can result from this crime. The FTC puts your information into a secure consumer fraud database and may, in appropriate instances, share it with other law enforcement agencies and private entities, including any companies about which you may complain. You can reach the FTC directly by:
* Calling toll-free at 1-877-IDTHEFT (1-877-438-4338).
* The FTC can also be reached at its website at http://www.consumer.gov/idtheft.
The Social Security Administration cannot fix your credit record if someone has misused your Social Security number (SSN) to obtain credit. To resolve your credit problems, you need to contact the institution that authorized the credit and/or issued the credit card, as well as the major credit reporting agencies. Obtain a copy of your credit report and ask that an alert be placed on your credit record requiring that you be contacted before credit is extended using your name and SSN. The three major credit reporting agencies are
* Equifax — 1-800-525-6285
* Trans Union — 1-800-680-7289
* Experian — 1-888-397-3742
Work with each credit bureau, creditor, employer and government agency involved to remove inaccurate information from your records. You should continue checking your credit report annually for inaccuracies. Keep copies of your correspondence, records of your telephone calls and other documents verifying your efforts to correct the problem.
Under certain circumstances, SSA may assign you a new SSN if, after making all efforts to resolve the problems caused by someone else's misuse of your SSN, you are still being disadvantaged by the misuse. There is no guarantee that a new number will resolve your problem.
A new SSN will NOT be assigned to you if you
* Are trying to avoid the law or your legal responsibility.
* Intend to avoid disclosure of a poor credit or criminal record when you are at fault.
* Have no proof that someone else caused the problem.
* Have lost your Social Security card or it was stolen but there is no evidence that your SSN is being misused and you are being disadvantaged.
If you can document that you are being disadvantaged because of the misuse of your SSN, visit your local SSA field office to request a new SSN, or contact SSA directly at:
* Phone: 1-800-772-1213, or
* Online: http://www.ssa.gov/reach.htm
SSA is the only agency authorized to issue a SSN and if you are eligible no fee is charged. Any private concern that offers to obtain a new SSN for a fee is most likely bogus and will provide no real service. In addition, the number they supply may be fraudulent and your use of such a number could constitute a crime.
The Federal government and numerous states have passed laws prohibiting identity theft. Anyone who intentionally uses the Social Security number of another person to establish a new identity or defraud the government is breaking the law.
More Information
Click Here
