Where to Report Social Security Fraud

You can report fraud to the Social Security Administration through three main channels: by phone, by mail, or online. The fastest route is usually the phone line dedicated to fraud reports, which is 1-800-269-0271. This number connects you to the Office of the Inspector General (OIG), the part of Social Security that investigates fraud.

If you prefer to report in writing, you can mail a report to the Social Security Administration's Office of the Inspector General, P.O. Box 17768, Baltimore, MD 21235. You can also file a report online at oig.ssa.gov using their online fraud reporting form. The online form lets you attach documents and describe what happened in detail before you submit.

When you call, have the details ready: the person's name, Social Security number (if you know it), what fraud you suspect, and when it happened. The phone line is open Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Eastern time. If you call outside those hours, you can leave a message and someone will call you back.

Key Takeaways

  • The Social Security Administration's fraud hotline is 1-800-269-0271, and it is the fastest way to report suspected fraud.
  • You can also report fraud online at oig.ssa.gov or by mail to the Office of the Inspector General in Baltimore.
  • Have the person's name, Social Security number, and details of what happened ready before you call or submit a report.
  • The OIG investigates reports but does not always contact you with the outcome, so do not expect a follow-up call or letter.

What Counts as Social Security Fraud

Social Security fraud happens when someone lies to get benefits they are not may have access to to or to get more money than they should receive. Common examples include working while collecting disability benefits without reporting the income, using someone else's Social Security number to open an account or get benefits, or continuing to collect benefits after a family member has died.

Fraud also includes a representative payee (someone authorized to manage benefits for another person) stealing or misusing those benefits, or a person reporting false income to may have access to for Supplemental Security Income (SSI). If you suspect someone is collecting benefits under a false identity or collecting benefits in multiple states, that is also fraud worth reporting.

What Information You Will Need to Report

The more details you provide, the easier it is for investigators to look into the report. At minimum, have the person's full name and Social Security number. If you do not know the Social Security number, the person's date of birth and address help investigators track them down.

Describe what you suspect happened and when you noticed it. If you have documents—bank statements, letters from Social Security, pay stubs, or anything else that shows the fraud—write down where those documents are or what they show. If you witnessed something directly, write down the date and what you saw. If someone told you about the fraud, note who told you and when.

You do not need to have proof before you report. The OIG investigates based on suspicion alone. Your job is to describe what made you suspicious; their job is to determine whether fraud actually occurred.

Reporting Fraud You Suspect About Yourself or a Family Member

If you made a mistake on your Social Security process or benefits report and did not realize it was wrong, you can report it to Social Security directly without going through the fraud hotline. Call your local Social Security office or 1-800-772-1213 to speak with someone about correcting the error.

If a family member is collecting benefits they should not be—for example, a parent is still reporting a child as a dependent when the child is now an adult and working—you can report this through the regular fraud line. Social Security will not assume you are trying to harm a family member; they will investigate to determine what actually happened.

If you are the one who made the error and want to fix it before Social Security finds out, reporting it yourself usually results in a smaller penalty than if Social Security discovers it during an audit. You may have to repay the overpayment, but you avoid additional fines.

What Happens After You Report Fraud

After you submit a report, the OIG adds it to their investigation queue. They do not always contact you to say they received it or to tell you what they found. If your report leads to criminal charges, you may be called to testify, but that is rare and usually only happens in cases involving large amounts of money or organized fraud rings.

The OIG can refer cases to the Department of Justice for prosecution, or they can ask Social Security to stop paying benefits and demand repayment. They can also refer cases to state law enforcement or local police if the fraud involves identity theft or other crimes beyond Social Security's scope.

Investigations take time—sometimes months or longer. You should not expect a phone call or letter telling you the outcome. If you want to know whether your report was investigated, you can contact the OIG directly at 1-800-269-0271 and ask, though they may not be able to share details about an ongoing investigation.

Protecting Yourself from Social Security Fraud

If you receive Social Security benefits, check your account regularly through my Social Security at ssa.gov. This online account shows your earnings record and any benefits you are receiving. If you see something you did not authorize, report it when ready to Social Security at 1-800-772-1213.

Never share your Social Security number with anyone unless you are certain they work for Social Security or another government agency you contacted first. Scammers often call claiming to be from Social Security and threatening to suspend your benefits unless you pay a fee or give them information. Social Security will never call you threatening arrest or asking for payment over the phone.

If someone asks you to use your Social Security number so they can get benefits, or if they ask to be your representative payee without a good reason, that is a red flag. Representative payees are supposed to manage benefits for people who cannot manage them alone—children, people with severe disabilities, or people with cognitive decline. If you are being asked to serve as a payee for someone who can manage their own money, decline.

When to Report to Other Agencies Instead

If the fraud involves identity theft—someone using your Social Security number to open credit cards, get a loan, or file taxes—report it to the Federal Trade Commission at identitytheft.gov in addition to Social Security. The FTC keeps a record of identity theft reports that you can use with creditors and banks.

If the fraud involves a scam where someone pretended to be from Social Security and took money from you, report it to the Federal Trade Commission and to your local police department. If the scammer called you, also report the phone number to the FTC.

If a Social Security employee is the one committing fraud—stealing benefits, taking bribes, or falsifying records—report that directly to the OIG at 1-800-269-0271 and mention that the fraud involves a Social Security employee.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I report fraud anonymously?

Yes. You do not have to give your name when you call the fraud hotline or submit an online report. However, if investigators need to contact you for more information, they will not be able to reach you. Providing your contact information helps the investigation move forward, but it is your choice.

What if I am not sure whether something is fraud?

Call the fraud hotline anyway. Describe what you observed and why it seemed suspicious. The OIG decides whether it meets the definition of fraud; your job is just to report what you saw or heard. It is better to report something that turns out to be a misunderstanding than to stay silent about something that is actually fraud.

Can I get in trouble for reporting fraud if I was wrong?

No. Reporting suspected fraud in good faith—meaning you genuinely believed fraud was happening—protects you from legal liability. You cannot be sued or prosecuted for making a report you believed was true, even if the investigation finds no fraud occurred.

Will Social Security tell me the outcome of my report?

Not automatically. The OIG does not routinely contact people who file reports. If you want to know whether your report was investigated, you can call the fraud hotline and ask, but they may not be able to share details if the case is still open or if it involves an ongoing criminal investigation.

What if the person I am reporting is my spouse or parent?

You can still report it. Social Security will not assume you are trying to harm a family member. They will investigate to determine what actually happened. If you are worried about the relationship impact, remember that reporting fraud is often better than letting it continue—the penalties are usually smaller if someone reports themselves or is caught early than if Social Security discovers it years later during an audit.