Where to Report Social Security Fraud

Report Social Security fraud directly to the Office of Inspector General (OIG), which investigates all fraud involving Social Security benefits. You have three ways to report: online through their find form, by phone, or by mail. The online method is fastest and creates a record of your report when ready.

The OIG's fraud hotline is 1-800-269-0271. You can call Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Eastern time. If you prefer to report online, go to oig.ssa.gov and select "Report Fraud, Waste, or Abuse." You can also mail a written report to the Office of Inspector General, Social Security Administration, P.O. Box 17768, Baltimore, MD 21235.

Do not report fraud to your local Social Security office or call the main Social Security number. Those offices will transfer you anyway, and reporting directly to the OIG is faster. If you witnessed fraud at a Social Security office itself — such as an employee taking a bribe — report that to the OIG as well; they handle internal fraud too.

Key Takeaways

  • The Office of Inspector General (OIG) is the only federal office that investigates Social Security fraud, and you can report online, by phone at 1-800-269-0271, or by mail.
  • Have the person's name, Social Security number, and a description of the fraud ready before you call or report online, but you can report anonymously if you prefer.
  • Common fraud includes someone collecting benefits under a false identity, continuing to collect after death, or working while claiming disability without reporting income.
  • The OIG does not tell you the outcome of individual investigations, but your report goes into a database and may be combined with other reports to identify patterns.
  • If you suspect fraud by a family member, you can still report it; the OIG investigates regardless of the relationship between the person reporting and the person accused.

What Information You Need to Report

Gather as much detail as you can before you report, though you do not need all of it to file a report. The OIG will ask for the suspected fraudster's name, Social Security number, and date of birth if you have it. If you do not have the Social Security number, a full name and address may be enough to start an investigation.

Write down what you observed or learned about the fraud. Examples: "Person claims to be disabled but I saw them working full-time at a construction site," or "Deceased person's benefits are still being deposited to a bank account," or "Someone is using a false name to collect benefits." The more specific you are about dates, locations, and what you witnessed, the stronger your report.

If you have documents — a bank statement showing deposits, a photo, a text message, an employment record — note that you have them. You can upload documents through the online form or mention them when you call. You do not have to send originals; copies are fine.

Types of Fraud the OIG Investigates

The OIG handles fraud involving Social Security retirement, survivor, and disability benefits. Common cases include someone collecting benefits under a false identity, continuing to receive payments after the beneficiary has died, or failing to report work income while collecting disability benefits.

Other fraud the OIG investigates includes someone living outside the United States but still collecting U.S. benefits without reporting it, a representative payee (someone managing benefits for another person) stealing those funds, or a person claiming a child as a dependent on benefits when the child does not live with them or is not their responsibility.

If you suspect fraud involving Supplemental Security Income (SSI) — the needs-based program for low-income seniors and disabled people — report it the same way. The OIG investigates both Social Security and SSI fraud through the same office and hotline.

What Happens After You Report

The OIG receives thousands of reports each month. Your report is logged into a database and assigned a reference number if you report online or by phone. Keep that number if you want to follow up, though the OIG does not provide updates on individual cases to the person who reported them.

The OIG may investigate when ready if the report involves active harm — for example, someone still collecting benefits under a false identity. Other reports are reviewed and prioritized based on the amount of money involved and the strength of the evidence. Some reports are referred to local law enforcement or the Social Security Administration's own investigators.

If the investigation finds fraud, the person may be required to repay the benefits they received illegally. They may also face criminal charges, which can result in fines or prison time. You will not be told the outcome unless you are a witness called to testify, which is rare.

Reporting Fraud You Suspect in Your Own Household

You can report fraud involving a family member or someone in your household. The OIG investigates all reports the same way, regardless of who reports it or their relationship to the accused person. If you are concerned about retaliation or family conflict, you can report anonymously.

When you report anonymously online or by phone, do not provide your name or contact information. The OIG will still investigate based on the details you give about the fraud itself. Anonymous reports are less common and may take longer to investigate because the OIG cannot contact you for clarification, but they are accepted and processed.

If you live with someone and suspect they are committing fraud, reporting them may affect your household. Consider whether you have a safe place to go if the person becomes angry. If you are in danger, contact local law enforcement or a domestic violence hotline before reporting the fraud.

Common Mistakes When Reporting

Do not wait for proof before reporting. You do not need to catch someone red-handed or have documents in hand. A suspicion based on what you have seen or heard is enough to file a report. The OIG has investigators who can gather evidence; your job is to report what you know.

Do not report to Social Security's customer service line or your local office expecting them to investigate. They will tell you to contact the OIG, which wastes time. Go directly to the OIG's hotline or website. Do not assume someone else has already reported it; if you suspect fraud, report it yourself.

Do not provide your personal information unless you are willing to be contacted. If you report online and want to remain anonymous, leave the contact fields blank. If you call the hotline and do not want to give your name, you can say so, and the OIG will still take your report.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I report fraud anonymously?

Yes. When you report online, leave your name and contact information blank. If you call the hotline, you can tell the representative you want to remain anonymous. The OIG will still investigate based on the details you provide about the fraud.

What if I am not sure it is fraud?

Report it anyway. You do not have to be certain. If you suspect someone is collecting benefits they should not be receiving, describe what you observed and let the OIG decide whether it warrants investigation. Reporting a suspicion is not the same as accusing someone in court.

Will the person know I reported them?

Not unless you tell them. The OIG does not reveal the source of reports. If you report anonymously, there is no way for the person to know it came from you. If you report with your name, the OIG will not share your identity with the accused person.

How long does an investigation take?

It varies. Some cases are resolved in weeks; others take months or longer. The OIG does not provide timelines or updates to the person who reported the fraud. If the case results in criminal charges, you may learn about it through court records or news reports.

What if I reported fraud but nothing seems to have happened?

The OIG investigates thousands of reports. Some are prioritized over others based on the amount of money involved and the evidence available. A lack of visible action does not mean your report was ignored. If you have new information, you can file another report or call the hotline to add details to your original report.