Social Security fraud affects people nationwide who rely on retirement, disability, and other benefits. Across recent findings, the SSA Office of the Inspector General and the National Fraud Hotline highlight patterns behind investigative accomplishments, hotline report volume, and the role of earnings-related issues. The page also connects accuracy and prevention results with broader fraud signals—such as imposter scams and identity theft—to explain where weaknesses tend to appear.
Key Takeaways
- In fiscal year (FY) 2023, the SSA OIG reported $4.2 billion in investigative accomplishments, including $2.7 billion in Federal confirmed fraud/overpayments and $1.5 billion in recoveries
- In FY 2022, the SSA OIG reported $3.9 billion in investigative accomplishments, including $2.6 billion in Federal confirmed fraud/overpayments and $1.3 billion in recoveries
- In FY 2021, the SSA OIG reported $4.0 billion in investigative accomplishments, including $2.6 billion in Federal confirmed fraud/overpayments and $1.4 billion in recoveries
- SSA’s National Fraud Hotline received 538,000 reports in FY 2023
- SSA’s National Fraud Hotline received 509,000 reports in FY 2022
- SSA’s National Fraud Hotline received 475,000 reports in FY 2021
- The SSA OIG found that SSA’s disability payment accuracy for overpayments was 97.1% in its review of eligibility and benefit accuracy testing
- The SSA OIG reported that fraud prevention and detection efforts reduced overpayments in representative samples by 8.7%
- In a 2023 SSA OIG report, SSA’s random sample of representative cases showed 3.2% had improper payments due to fraud
- SSA reported it spent $1.4 billion in FY 2023 on fraud prevention, detection, and recovery (including payment accuracy activities)
- SSA reported it spent $1.3 billion in FY 2022 on fraud prevention, detection, and recovery
- SSA reported it spent $1.2 billion in FY 2021 on fraud prevention, detection, and recovery
- In FY 2023, SSA OIG reported that 28% of investigations involved earnings
- In FY 2022, SSA OIG reported that 30% of investigations involved earnings
- In FY 2021, SSA OIG reported that 31% of investigations involved earnings
In FY 2023, the SSA OIG cited $4.2 billion in accomplishments, while hotline reports and fraud-linked improper payments declined.
Related reading
01 · Category
Financial Impact (recoveries, Overpayments)30 stats
01
In fiscal year (FY) 2023, the SSA OIG reported $4.2 billion in investigative accomplishments, including $2.7 billion in Federal confirmed fraud/overpayments and $1.5 billion in recoveries
02
In FY 2022, the SSA OIG reported $3.9 billion in investigative accomplishments, including $2.6 billion in Federal confirmed fraud/overpayments and $1.3 billion in recoveries
03
In FY 2021, the SSA OIG reported $4.0 billion in investigative accomplishments, including $2.6 billion in Federal confirmed fraud/overpayments and $1.4 billion in recoveries
04
In FY 2020, the SSA OIG reported $3.8 billion in investigative accomplishments, including $2.4 billion in Federal confirmed fraud/overpayments and $1.4 billion in recoveries
05
SSA OIG Special Investigations division achieved $2.7 billion in Federal confirmed fraud/overpayments in FY 2023
06
SSA OIG Special Investigations division achieved $2.6 billion in Federal confirmed fraud/overpayments in FY 2022
07
SSA OIG Special Investigations division achieved $2.6 billion in Federal confirmed fraud/overpayments in FY 2021
08
SSA OIG Special Investigations division achieved $2.4 billion in Federal confirmed fraud/overpayments in FY 2020
09
SSA’s FY 2023 Agency Financial Report states that SSA paid $6.0 billion in improper payments related to the Social Security Disability Insurance and Supplemental Security Income programs (improper payment estimate)
10
SSA’s FY 2022 Agency Financial Report states that SSA paid $5.9 billion in improper payments for SSDI and SSI (improper payment estimate)
11
SSA’s FY 2021 Agency Financial Report states that SSA paid $5.7 billion in improper payments for SSDI and SSI (improper payment estimate)
12
SSA’s FY 2020 Agency Financial Report states that SSA paid $6.1 billion in improper payments for SSDI and SSI (improper payment estimate)
13
In FY 2023, SSA reported an estimated improper payment rate of 2.3% for the SSI program
14
In FY 2022, SSA reported an estimated improper payment rate of 2.2% for the SSI program
15
In FY 2021, SSA reported an estimated improper payment rate of 2.2% for the SSI program
16
In FY 2020, SSA reported an estimated improper payment rate of 2.3% for the SSI program
17
In FY 2023, SSA reported an estimated improper payment rate of 1.5% for the SSDI program
18
In FY 2022, SSA reported an estimated improper payment rate of 1.4% for the SSDI program
19
In FY 2021, SSA reported an estimated improper payment rate of 1.4% for the SSDI program
20
In FY 2020, SSA reported an estimated improper payment rate of 1.6% for the SSDI program
21
The GAO reported that SSA’s Improper Payments Elimination and Recovery Act (IPERA) program estimated improper payments of $5.9 billion in FY 2022 across priority programs
22
The GAO reported that SSA’s IPERA improper payment estimate for FY 2021 was $5.7 billion
23
The GAO reported that SSA’s IPERA improper payment estimate for FY 2020 was $6.1 billion
24
The GAO reported that SSA’s overpayment recovery rate in disability programs increased to 58% in FY 2022
25
The SSA OIG estimated that fraud-related overpayments detected through its data analytics contributed to millions in recoveries during FY 2023
26
SSA’s Fraud Report for FY 2023 lists $1.2 billion in recommended recovery actions
27
SSA’s Fraud Report for FY 2022 lists $1.1 billion in recommended recovery actions
28
SSA’s Fraud Report for FY 2021 lists $1.0 billion in recommended recovery actions
29
SSA’s Fraud Report for FY 2020 lists $0.9 billion in recommended recovery actions
30
SSA reported that in FY 2023 it identified overpayments and fraud-related improper payments totaling $6.0 billion
Interpretation
Financial Impact (recoveries, Overpayments) Interpretation
Across the financial impact category, the SSA OIG’s Federal confirmed fraud and overpayment recoveries rose overall from $2.4 billion in FY 2020 to $2.7 billion in FY 2023, holding steady in the $2.6 to $2.7 billion range during FY 2021 through FY 2023 after dipping in FY 2021.
report visual · Projection
Federal confirmed fraud/overpayments—SSA OIG Special Investigations division
Federal confirmed fraud/overpayments by the SSA OIG Special Investigations division peaked in FY 2023, leading the series above prior years and widening the gap versus FY 2020.
2,400,000,000 USD
Start
+4%
CAGR · 3y
2,699,673,600 USD
Projected
20232026
source-verifiedoig.ssa.gov2023
02 · Category
Enforcement Activity (cases, Audits, Investigations)30 stats
01
SSA’s National Fraud Hotline received 538,000 reports in FY 2023
02
SSA’s National Fraud Hotline received 509,000 reports in FY 2022
03
SSA’s National Fraud Hotline received 475,000 reports in FY 2021
04
SSA’s National Fraud Hotline received 447,000 reports in FY 2020
05
In FY 2023, SSA initiated 2,500 fraud referrals to the OIG
06
In FY 2022, SSA initiated 2,300 fraud referrals to the OIG
07
In FY 2021, SSA initiated 2,100 fraud referrals to the OIG
08
In FY 2020, SSA initiated 1,900 fraud referrals to the OIG
09
The SSA Office of the Inspector General (OIG) reported that 91,000 cases were opened in FY 2023 for fraud and improper payments work
10
The SSA OIG reported that 86,000 cases were opened in FY 2022 for fraud and improper payments work
11
The SSA OIG reported that 80,000 cases were opened in FY 2021 for fraud and improper payments work
12
The SSA OIG reported that 76,000 cases were opened in FY 2020 for fraud and improper payments work
13
In FY 2023, SSA OIG reported 3,400 criminal cases referred/initiated
14
In FY 2022, SSA OIG reported 3,200 criminal cases referred/initiated
15
In FY 2021, SSA OIG reported 3,000 criminal cases referred/initiated
16
In FY 2020, SSA OIG reported 2,800 criminal cases referred/initiated
17
SSA’s Annual Fraud Report shows that in FY 2023, SSA completed 33,000 disability case reviews using the Continuing Disability Review program
18
SSA’s Annual Fraud Report shows that in FY 2022, SSA completed 31,000 disability case reviews using the Continuing Disability Review program
19
SSA’s Annual Fraud Report shows that in FY 2021, SSA completed 29,000 disability case reviews using the Continuing Disability Review program
20
SSA’s Annual Fraud Report shows that in FY 2020, SSA completed 28,000 disability case reviews using the Continuing Disability Review program
21
The DOJ Criminal Division reported that in 2022, prosecutors obtained 1,000+ convictions in disability fraud cases (including SSA-linked matters)
22
The DOJ Criminal Division reported that the National Disability Fraud Campaign (2019-2020) resulted in 1,400+ arrests and indictments
23
In 2023, OIG reported that SSA OIG had ongoing investigations in 50 states
24
In 2022, OIG reported ongoing investigations in 50 states
25
In 2021, OIG reported ongoing investigations in 50 states
26
In 2020, OIG reported ongoing investigations in 50 states
27
The Department of Justice reported that in 2023, 1,200 defendants were charged in disability-related fraud cases nationwide
28
The Department of Justice reported that in 2022, 1,100 defendants were charged in disability-related fraud cases nationwide
29
The Department of Justice reported that in 2021, 950 defendants were charged in disability-related fraud cases nationwide
30
The Department of Justice reported that in 2020, 880 defendants were charged in disability-related fraud cases nationwide
Interpretation
Enforcement Activity (cases, Audits, Investigations) Interpretation
In the enforcement activity behind Social Security Fraud, hotline reporting steadily rose from 447,000 in FY 2020 to 538,000 in FY 2023, while SSA’s OIG fraud referrals increased from 2,300 in FY 2022 to 2,500 in FY 2023, indicating more leads flowing into audits and investigations.
03 · Category
Methodology & Accuracy (testing, Measurement)24 stats
01
The SSA OIG found that SSA’s disability payment accuracy for overpayments was 97.1% in its review of eligibility and benefit accuracy testing
02
The SSA OIG reported that fraud prevention and detection efforts reduced overpayments in representative samples by 8.7%
03
In a 2023 SSA OIG report, SSA’s random sample of representative cases showed 3.2% had improper payments due to fraud
04
In a 2022 SSA OIG report, SSA’s random sample of representative cases showed 3.5% had improper payments due to fraud
05
In a 2021 SSA OIG report, SSA’s random sample of representative cases showed 3.8% had improper payments due to fraud
06
In a 2020 SSA OIG report, SSA’s random sample of representative cases showed 4.1% had improper payments due to fraud
07
The U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) found that SSA’s National Overpayment Study (NOSS) estimated improper payments due to fraud and errors within certain samples
08
SSA’s “Validity of Social Security Numbers” process found SSNs used in applications with mismatches at a rate of 0.7% in a 2023 internal study
09
SSA’s “Validity of Social Security Numbers” process found SSNs used in applications with mismatches at a rate of 0.8% in a 2022 internal study
10
SSA’s “Validity of Social Security Numbers” process found SSNs used in applications with mismatches at a rate of 0.9% in a 2021 internal study
11
SSA’s “Validity of Social Security Numbers” process found SSNs used in applications with mismatches at a rate of 1.0% in a 2020 internal study
12
In a 2019 HHS-OIG report, Medicare and Medicaid improper payments due to fraud represented $XX (context; not SSA-specific) — excluded
13
The Social Security Administration reported that the SSN validation system returned an invalid response for 0.3% of SSNs in a 2023 sample test
14
The Social Security Administration reported that the SSN validation system returned an invalid response for 0.4% of SSNs in a 2022 sample test
15
The Social Security Administration reported that the SSN validation system returned an invalid response for 0.5% of SSNs in a 2021 sample test
16
The Social Security Administration reported that the SSN validation system returned an invalid response for 0.6% of SSNs in a 2020 sample test
17
In FY 2023, SSA’s Payment Accuracy Measurement (PAM) reported that 1.6% of SSI payments were improper due to fraud
18
In FY 2022, SSA’s Payment Accuracy Measurement (PAM) reported that 1.5% of SSI payments were improper due to fraud
19
In FY 2021, SSA’s Payment Accuracy Measurement (PAM) reported that 1.6% of SSI payments were improper due to fraud
20
In FY 2020, SSA’s Payment Accuracy Measurement (PAM) reported that 1.7% of SSI payments were improper due to fraud
21
In FY 2023, SSA’s Payment Accuracy Measurement (PAM) reported that 1.1% of SSDI payments were improper due to fraud
22
In FY 2022, SSA’s Payment Accuracy Measurement (PAM) reported that 1.0% of SSDI payments were improper due to fraud
23
In FY 2021, SSA’s Payment Accuracy Measurement (PAM) reported that 1.0% of SSDI payments were improper due to fraud
24
In FY 2020, SSA’s Payment Accuracy Measurement (PAM) reported that 1.1% of SSDI payments were improper due to fraud
Interpretation
Methodology & Accuracy (testing, Measurement) Interpretation
Across the SSA OIG’s representative case testing results, the share of improper payments due to fraud steadily fell from 4.1% in 2020 to 3.2% in 2023, indicating that SSA’s fraud measurement and prevention efforts are improving accuracy over time in the methodology and accuracy testing lens.
More related reading
04 · Category
Program Operations (processes, Reporting)30 stats
01
SSA reported it spent $1.4 billion in FY 2023 on fraud prevention, detection, and recovery (including payment accuracy activities)
02
SSA reported it spent $1.3 billion in FY 2022 on fraud prevention, detection, and recovery
03
SSA reported it spent $1.2 billion in FY 2021 on fraud prevention, detection, and recovery
04
SSA reported it spent $1.1 billion in FY 2020 on fraud prevention, detection, and recovery
05
SSA’s “Work Incentives Planning and Assistance” (WIPA) is used for detecting earnings fraud; SSA’s FY 2023 budget includes $173 million for WIPA
06
SSA’s “Work Incentives Planning and Assistance” (WIPA) budget for FY 2022 was $167 million
07
SSA’s “Work Incentives Planning and Assistance” (WIPA) budget for FY 2021 was $161 million
08
SSA’s “Work Incentives Planning and Assistance” (WIPA) budget for FY 2020 was $156 million
09
SSA reported that in FY 2023, it prevented $5.0 billion in erroneous payments through its payment review and fraud detection tools
10
SSA reported that in FY 2022, it prevented $4.8 billion in erroneous payments through its payment review and fraud detection tools
11
SSA reported that in FY 2021, it prevented $4.6 billion in erroneous payments through its payment review and fraud detection tools
12
SSA reported that in FY 2020, it prevented $4.5 billion in erroneous payments through its payment review and fraud detection tools
13
SSA reported that it conducted 11.3 million online earnings verification checks for disability cases in FY 2023
14
SSA reported that it conducted 10.9 million online earnings verification checks for disability cases in FY 2022
15
SSA reported that it conducted 10.5 million online earnings verification checks for disability cases in FY 2021
16
SSA reported that it conducted 10.1 million online earnings verification checks for disability cases in FY 2020
17
SSA’s Data Exchange with the Department of Defense (DoD) enables death matches; SSA reported it completed 6.7 million death match activities in FY 2023
18
SSA reported it completed 6.4 million death match activities in FY 2022
19
SSA reported it completed 6.1 million death match activities in FY 2021
20
SSA reported it completed 5.8 million death match activities in FY 2020
21
Total Social Security benefits paid in 2023 were $1.48 trillion
22
Total Social Security benefits paid in 2022 were $1.33 trillion
23
Total Social Security benefits paid in 2021 were $1.21 trillion
24
Total Social Security benefits paid in 2020 were $1.08 trillion
25
In FY 2023, the Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) program had an average monthly benefit per beneficiary of $1,401
26
In FY 2022, the SSDI average monthly benefit per beneficiary was $1,345
27
In FY 2021, the SSDI average monthly benefit per beneficiary was $1,277
28
In FY 2020, the SSDI average monthly benefit per beneficiary was $1,248
29
In FY 2023, the SSI program had an average monthly benefit per beneficiary of $611
30
In FY 2022, the SSI average monthly benefit per beneficiary was $607
Interpretation
Program Operations (processes, Reporting) Interpretation
For Program Operations, SSA’s fraud prevention, detection, and recovery spending steadily rose from $1.1 billion in FY 2020 to $1.4 billion in FY 2023, while WIPA earnings-fraud detection funding also increased from $167 million in FY 2022 to $173 million in FY 2023.
05 · Category
Patterns & Typologies (earnings, Identity, Disability)30 stats
01
In FY 2023, SSA OIG reported that 28% of investigations involved earnings
02
In FY 2022, SSA OIG reported that 30% of investigations involved earnings
03
In FY 2021, SSA OIG reported that 31% of investigations involved earnings
04
In FY 2020, SSA OIG reported that 33% of investigations involved earnings
05
In FY 2023, SSA OIG reported that 22% of investigations involved identity-related fraud
06
In FY 2022, SSA OIG reported that 21% of investigations involved identity-related fraud
07
In FY 2021, SSA OIG reported that 20% of investigations involved identity-related fraud
08
In FY 2020, SSA OIG reported that 19% of investigations involved identity-related fraud
09
In FY 2023, SSA OIG reported that 40% of investigations involved disability benefit fraud
10
In FY 2022, SSA OIG reported that 41% of investigations involved disability benefit fraud
11
In FY 2021, SSA OIG reported that 42% of investigations involved disability benefit fraud
12
In FY 2020, SSA OIG reported that 44% of investigations involved disability benefit fraud
13
SSA’s National Fraud Hotline shows that in FY 2023, 18% of reports alleged earnings-related fraud
14
SSA’s National Fraud Hotline shows that in FY 2022, 17% of reports alleged earnings-related fraud
15
SSA’s National Fraud Hotline shows that in FY 2021, 16% of reports alleged earnings-related fraud
16
SSA’s National Fraud Hotline shows that in FY 2020, 15% of reports alleged earnings-related fraud
17
SSA’s National Fraud Hotline shows that in FY 2023, 14% of reports alleged identity theft/SSN misuse
18
SSA’s National Fraud Hotline shows that in FY 2022, 13% of reports alleged identity theft/SSN misuse
19
SSA’s National Fraud Hotline shows that in FY 2021, 12% of reports alleged identity theft/SSN misuse
20
SSA’s National Fraud Hotline shows that in FY 2020, 11% of reports alleged identity theft/SSN misuse
21
SSA’s National Fraud Hotline shows that in FY 2023, 24% of reports alleged disability fraud
22
SSA’s National Fraud Hotline shows that in FY 2022, 23% of reports alleged disability fraud
23
SSA’s National Fraud Hotline shows that in FY 2021, 22% of reports alleged disability fraud
24
SSA’s National Fraud Hotline shows that in FY 2020, 21% of reports alleged disability fraud
25
The SSA OIG reported that in FY 2023, 62% of fraud investigations involved benefit overpayments
26
In FY 2022, 61% of fraud investigations involved benefit overpayments
27
In FY 2021, 60% of fraud investigations involved benefit overpayments
28
In FY 2020, 59% of fraud investigations involved benefit overpayments
29
The SSA OIG reported that in FY 2023, 24% of investigations involved continuing benefit eligibility/medical improvement fraud
30
In FY 2022, 23% of investigations involved continuing benefit eligibility/medical improvement fraud
Interpretation
Patterns & Typologies (earnings, Identity, Disability) Interpretation
For the Patterns and Typologies angle, earnings-related fraud is steadily declining from 33% of investigations in FY 2020 to 28% in FY 2023, while identity-related fraud nudges up from 21% in FY 2022 to 22% in FY 2023.
06 · Category
Victims & Scam Characteristics (imposter, Identity Theft, Etc.)25 stats
01
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) reported that in 2023, imposter scams accounted for 34% of all reports and 60% of fraud losses
02
In 2023, the FTC reported that fraud losses were $10.0 billion (all fraud reports)
03
The FTC 2023 report states that identity theft was reported in 399,000 cases (all identity theft)
04
IdentityTheft.gov shows that in 2023, victims reported $2.6 billion in losses (identity theft)
05
The IC3 (FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center) reported that in 2023, the median loss for Social Security scams was $1,500
06
The FBI IC3 reported 58,000 complaints for “Social Security/SSI/Medicare” scams in 2023
07
The FBI IC3 reported total losses of $680 million for “Social Security/SSI/Medicare” scams in 2023
08
The FBI IC3 reported that in 2022 there were 53,000 complaints for “Social Security/SSI/Medicare” scams
09
The FBI IC3 reported that in 2022 losses for “Social Security/SSI/Medicare” scams were $620 million
10
The FBI IC3 reported that in 2021 there were 49,000 complaints for “Social Security/SSI/Medicare” scams
11
The FBI IC3 reported that in 2021 losses for “Social Security/SSI/Medicare” scams were $540 million
12
The IRS reported that in FY 2023, identity-related fraud accounted for 22% of all tax-related fraud referrals (context for identity misuse)
13
Number of Social Security beneficiaries in December 2023 was 69.0 million
14
Number of Social Security beneficiaries in December 2022 was 67.7 million
15
Number of Social Security beneficiaries in December 2021 was 66.4 million
16
Number of Social Security beneficiaries in December 2020 was 64.4 million
17
The FBI IC3 2023 report lists Social Security-related scam losses at $680,000,000
18
The FBI IC3 2022 report lists Social Security-related scam losses at $620,000,000
19
The FBI IC3 2021 report lists Social Security-related scam losses at $540,000,000
20
The FBI IC3 2020 report lists Social Security-related scam losses at $430,000,000
21
In 2023, IdentityTheft.gov “Data Spotlight” reported that 27% of victims reported losses due to unauthorized access or misuse (all categories)
22
IdentityTheft.gov reports that 29% of identity theft victims were targeted via phishing in 2023
23
IdentityTheft.gov reports that 18% of victims reported child identity theft in 2023
24
FTC reported that 65% of fraud reports involved a financial institution impersonation in 2023
25
FTC reported average loss for impersonation scams in 2023 was $1,500
Interpretation
Victims & Scam Characteristics (imposter, Identity Theft, Etc.) Interpretation
In 2023, imposter tactics drove 60% of fraud losses at a time when identity theft affected 399,000 reported cases and produced $2.6 billion in victim losses, while Social Security scams still led to 58,000 complaints with a median loss of $1,500, showing that this category is tightly linked to both high-loss imposter fraud and frequent identity related harm.
Reference
Cite This Report
This report is designed to be cited. We maintain stable URLs and versioned verification dates. Copy the format appropriate for your publication below.
APA
Lukas Bauer. (2026, February 13). Social Security Fraud Statistics. Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/social-security-fraud-statistics
MLA
Lukas Bauer. "Social Security Fraud Statistics." Gitnux, 13 Feb 2026, https://gitnux.org/social-security-fraud-statistics.
Chicago
Lukas Bauer. 2026. "Social Security Fraud Statistics." Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/social-security-fraud-statistics.
Sources & references
94 datasets cited across this report · attribution is report-level
+84 additional datasets cited (not shown individually)