Social Security Administration Office of the Inspector General

A St. Louis woman on Monday admitted misusing $55,000 of her father’s Social Security benefits after his death. Her crime is punishable by up to 10 years in prison, a $250,000 fine or both prison and a fine. #SocialSecurity #Investigations Read more: https://ow.ly/MvYQ50TVTA3

A #California woman has pleaded guilty to theft of government property. According to court documents, the woman was a Certified Nursing Assistant and In-Home Support Services (IHSS) home healthcare provider in the State of California, and she provided IHSS care to an elderly woman who received monthly #SocialSecurity benefits. When the elderly woman passed away, her death was not reported to SSA and, as a result, SSA continued to direct deposit the benefits into her bank account. The woman's theft resulted in a total loss of $156,445 to SSA. She has agreed to pay this amount back in restitution. Read more: https://ow.ly/3Y1b50TSEfy

A #Massachusetts woman was charged in federal court in Boston with fraudulently receiving #SocialSecurity disability benefits. According to the charging documents, from July 2013 to August 2022, the woman stole approximately $93,603 in Social Security disability benefits. The misdemeanor charge of theft of government money provides for a sentence of up to one year in prison, one year of supervised release, five years of probation and a fine of $100,000 or twice the gross gain or loss, whichever is greater. Read more: https://lnkd.in/gHYutRm6

A bank manager has been sentenced to 65 months in prison for using his position to organize a conspiracy to help individuals obtain at least 38 fraudulent Paycheck Protection Program loans totaling approximately $5 million. #SocialSecurity #investigations Read more: https://ow.ly/p5Lp50TSBeg

A New York woman has pleaded guilty to multiple charges of Social Security fraud. The woman admitted to fraudulently collecting benefits on behalf of her minor child, however, the woman failed to inform SSA the child no longer resided with her. #SocialSecurity #Investigations Read more: https://ow.ly/qLNW50TOEzo

A former New Jersey resident admits to fraudulently obtaining over $3.7 million in Cares Act loans. #SocialSecurity #Investigations Read more: https://ow.ly/wRhN50TOuWE

A superseding indictment charges 14 defendants in connection with a nationwide conspiracy to use stolen identities to fraudulently obtain money, checks, and credit from banks and credit unions. #SocialSecurity #Investigations Read more: https://ow.ly/Hugr50TNTyM

A resident of Erie, Pennsylvania, has been indicted on a charge of theft of government property. According to the indictment, he allegedly stole approximately $33,417 in SSI to which he was not entitled. #SocialSecurity #Investigations Read more: https://ow.ly/9pH650TNTg6

A Thompsontown, Pennsylvania woman pleaded guilty to social security fraud and theft of public money related to her theft of Social Security and federal housing funds. #SocialSecurity #Investigations Read more: https://ow.ly/v2TI50TMF1h

Are you wondering what to do to receive a cost-of-living increase in your Social Security benefits for 2025? No worries, the answer is “nothing”. The annual Cost of Living Adjustments (COLA) is automatic. The Social Security Administration (SSA) announced its new COLA of 2.5 percent on October 10, 2024. Notices will arrive by mail beginning in December. Further, my Social Security accountholders can see their COLA notice online. Beneficiaries will see the increase in benefits payable in January 2025. “Annual Social Security COLA adjustments are automatic, and beneficiaries do not need to take any action or provide additional information to receive the legitimate increase,” said Hannibal “Mike” Ware, Acting Inspector General for the Social Security Administration. “Be wary of any communication that asks you to take extra steps or provide personal details for this increase, as it’s likely a scammer attempting to steal your identity or financial assets. Our office is dedicated to protecting the public and deterring these criminals from exploiting honest, hardworking people.” Read more: https://ow.ly/sPun50TJV2M