A Realistic Perspective on Reducing Social Security Fraud - Social Security Administration
Most media accounts of recently announced Social Security changes have been met with criticism by reporters, liberals, and anyone else wishing to label the Administration’s fraud and waste reduction efforts as misguided. But reality is that nearly $72 billion in “improper payments” were made by the Social Security Administration in recent years, most of which remains uncollected. In an effort to combat one of the more egregious forms of improper payments, the Social Security Administration is implementing changes which will drastically reduce fraudulent “stealing” of Social Security benefits – prevent scammers who attempt to redirect SS payments from the beneficiary to the fraudster’s bank account. Despite what you may read or hear in the media, the burden on beneficiaries is not so terrible as portrayed.
The agency has, for years, been aggressively encouraging all recipients to sign up for online access to their Social Security records. And that effort has been successful, with over 86 million Americans now enjoying online access to their Social Security accounts. Those with an online account can do much of their business online, including changing where their monthly benefit is deposited. Social Security has also, since early last year, encouraged recipients to switch their online security access from the old “ID/ Password” method to a more robust process using either the government approved “ID.me” or “LOGIN.gov” methodologies. And the agency has also made it fairly easy to switch from the older, less secure access method to the newer processes, provided you have all the credentials to prove that you are who you say you are.
The reality is that those with an online “my Social Security” account can do nearly all their business with Social Security online, without requiring a visit to the SS office. The changes announced require all online account holders to switch to the more secure ID.me or LOGIN.gov access procedures, ensuring that all transactions to their Social Security are valid and, thus, greatly reducing fraud. Despite the so-called “pundits” suggesting otherwise, only those who do not have online access would be required to provide in-person proof before Social Security will change the destination of their monthly payment. Plus the processing of that payment change has also been expediated to one day. In the final analysis, the changes announced by Social Security in this Press Release greatly improve Social Security’s ability to avoid fraud from stolen SS payments and, at the same time, significantly improved the length of time to process the request. In the end, this protection is an advantage because it will prevent much fraudulent stealing of Social Security benefits from American seniors! Click here to read the Press Release from the Social Security Administration.
Also, if you’re unsure about how these basics apply to you, or if you have any questions about your individual situation under Social Security, note that the AMAC Foundation provides a free-to-the-public advisory service to help Americans navigate the complexities of this program. All questions are answered quickly, at no charge. Learn more about it here…