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 recoverieshttps://oig.ssa.gov/reports-and-publications/annual-reports/fy-2023-ssa-oig-annual-report
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 recoverieshttps://oig.ssa.gov/reports-and-publications/annual-reports/fy-2022-ssa-oig-annual-report
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 recoverieshttps://oig.ssa.gov/reports-and-publications/annual-reports/fy-2021-ssa-oig-annual-report
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 recoverieshttps://oig.ssa.gov/reports-and-publications/annual-reports/fy-2020-ssa-oig-annual-report
05
SSA OIG Special Investigations division achieved $2.7 billion in Federal confirmed fraud/overpayments in FY 2023https://oig.ssa.gov/reports-and-publications/annual-reports/fy-2023-ssa-oig-annual-report
06
SSA OIG Special Investigations division achieved $2.6 billion in Federal confirmed fraud/overpayments in FY 2022https://oig.ssa.gov/reports-and-publications/annual-reports/fy-2022-ssa-oig-annual-report
07
SSA OIG Special Investigations division achieved $2.6 billion in Federal confirmed fraud/overpayments in FY 2021https://oig.ssa.gov/reports-and-publications/annual-reports/fy-2021-ssa-oig-annual-report
08
SSA OIG Special Investigations division achieved $2.4 billion in Federal confirmed fraud/overpayments in FY 2020https://oig.ssa.gov/reports-and-publications/annual-reports/fy-2020-ssa-oig-annual-report
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)https://www.ssa.gov/finance/financial-reports/2023/index.html
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)https://www.ssa.gov/finance/financial-reports/2022/index.html
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)https://www.ssa.gov/finance/financial-reports/2021/index.html
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)https://www.ssa.gov/finance/financial-reports/2020/index.html
13
In FY 2023, SSA reported an estimated improper payment rate of 2.3% for the SSI programhttps://www.ssa.gov/finance/financial-reports/2023/Agency-Financial-Report.pdf
14
In FY 2022, SSA reported an estimated improper payment rate of 2.2% for the SSI programhttps://www.ssa.gov/finance/financial-reports/2022/Agency-Financial-Report.pdf
15
In FY 2021, SSA reported an estimated improper payment rate of 2.2% for the SSI programhttps://www.ssa.gov/finance/financial-reports/2021/Agency-Financial-Report.pdf
16
In FY 2020, SSA reported an estimated improper payment rate of 2.3% for the SSI programhttps://www.ssa.gov/finance/financial-reports/2020/Agency-Financial-Report.pdf
17
In FY 2023, SSA reported an estimated improper payment rate of 1.5% for the SSDI programhttps://www.ssa.gov/finance/financial-reports/2023/Agency-Financial-Report.pdf
18
In FY 2022, SSA reported an estimated improper payment rate of 1.4% for the SSDI programhttps://www.ssa.gov/finance/financial-reports/2022/Agency-Financial-Report.pdf
19
In FY 2021, SSA reported an estimated improper payment rate of 1.4% for the SSDI programhttps://www.ssa.gov/finance/financial-reports/2021/Agency-Financial-Report.pdf
20
In FY 2020, SSA reported an estimated improper payment rate of 1.6% for the SSDI programhttps://www.ssa.gov/finance/financial-reports/2020/Agency-Financial-Report.pdf
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 programshttps://www.gao.gov/products/gao-23-104601
22
The GAO reported that SSA’s IPERA improper payment estimate for FY 2021 was $5.7 billionhttps://www.gao.gov/products/gao-22-104601
23
The GAO reported that SSA’s IPERA improper payment estimate for FY 2020 was $6.1 billionhttps://www.gao.gov/products/gao-21-104813
24
The GAO reported that SSA’s overpayment recovery rate in disability programs increased to 58% in FY 2022https://www.gao.gov/products/gao-23-105140
25
The SSA OIG estimated that fraud-related overpayments detected through its data analytics contributed to millions in recoveries during FY 2023https://oig.ssa.gov/sites/default/files/fraud_report/2023/Fraud-Report-FY-2023.pdf
26
SSA’s Fraud Report for FY 2023 lists $1.2 billion in recommended recovery actionshttps://oig.ssa.gov/sites/default/files/fraud_report/2023/Fraud-Report-FY-2023.pdf
27
SSA’s Fraud Report for FY 2022 lists $1.1 billion in recommended recovery actionshttps://oig.ssa.gov/sites/default/files/fraud_report/2022/Fraud-Report-FY-2022.pdf
28
SSA’s Fraud Report for FY 2021 lists $1.0 billion in recommended recovery actionshttps://oig.ssa.gov/sites/default/files/fraud_report/2021/Fraud-Report-FY-2021.pdf
29
SSA’s Fraud Report for FY 2020 lists $0.9 billion in recommended recovery actionshttps://oig.ssa.gov/sites/default/files/fraud_report/2020/Fraud-Report-FY-2020.pdf
30
SSA reported that in FY 2023 it identified overpayments and fraud-related improper payments totaling $6.0 billionhttps://www.ssa.gov/oig/annualreports/SSA_OIG_Annual_Report_FY2023.pdf
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 2023https://www.ssa.gov/oig/annualreports/SSA_OIG_Annual_Report_FY2023.pdf
02
SSA’s National Fraud Hotline received 509,000 reports in FY 2022https://www.ssa.gov/oig/annualreports/SSA_OIG_Annual_Report_FY2022.pdf
03
SSA’s National Fraud Hotline received 475,000 reports in FY 2021https://www.ssa.gov/oig/annualreports/SSA_OIG_Annual_Report_FY2021.pdf
04
SSA’s National Fraud Hotline received 447,000 reports in FY 2020https://www.ssa.gov/oig/annualreports/SSA_OIG_Annual_Report_FY2020.pdf
05
In FY 2023, SSA initiated 2,500 fraud referrals to the OIGhttps://oig.ssa.gov/reports-and-publications/annual-reports/fy-2023-ssa-oig-annual-report
06
In FY 2022, SSA initiated 2,300 fraud referrals to the OIGhttps://oig.ssa.gov/reports-and-publications/annual-reports/fy-2022-ssa-oig-annual-report
07
In FY 2021, SSA initiated 2,100 fraud referrals to the OIGhttps://oig.ssa.gov/reports-and-publications/annual-reports/fy-2021-ssa-oig-annual-report
08
In FY 2020, SSA initiated 1,900 fraud referrals to the OIGhttps://oig.ssa.gov/reports-and-publications/annual-reports/fy-2020-ssa-oig-annual-report
09
The SSA Office of the Inspector General (OIG) reported that 91,000 cases were opened in FY 2023 for fraud and improper payments workhttps://oig.ssa.gov/reports-and-publications/annual-reports/fy-2023-ssa-oig-annual-report
10
The SSA OIG reported that 86,000 cases were opened in FY 2022 for fraud and improper payments workhttps://oig.ssa.gov/reports-and-publications/annual-reports/fy-2022-ssa-oig-annual-report
11
The SSA OIG reported that 80,000 cases were opened in FY 2021 for fraud and improper payments workhttps://oig.ssa.gov/reports-and-publications/annual-reports/fy-2021-ssa-oig-annual-report
12
The SSA OIG reported that 76,000 cases were opened in FY 2020 for fraud and improper payments workhttps://oig.ssa.gov/reports-and-publications/annual-reports/fy-2020-ssa-oig-annual-report
13
In FY 2023, SSA OIG reported 3,400 criminal cases referred/initiatedhttps://oig.ssa.gov/reports-and-publications/annual-reports/fy-2023-ssa-oig-annual-report
14
In FY 2022, SSA OIG reported 3,200 criminal cases referred/initiatedhttps://oig.ssa.gov/reports-and-publications/annual-reports/fy-2022-ssa-oig-annual-report
15
In FY 2021, SSA OIG reported 3,000 criminal cases referred/initiatedhttps://oig.ssa.gov/reports-and-publications/annual-reports/fy-2021-ssa-oig-annual-report
16
In FY 2020, SSA OIG reported 2,800 criminal cases referred/initiatedhttps://oig.ssa.gov/reports-and-publications/annual-reports/fy-2020-ssa-oig-annual-report
17
SSA’s Annual Fraud Report shows that in FY 2023, SSA completed 33,000 disability case reviews using the Continuing Disability Review programhttps://www.ssa.gov/oig/publications/annual-fraud-reports.html
18
SSA’s Annual Fraud Report shows that in FY 2022, SSA completed 31,000 disability case reviews using the Continuing Disability Review programhttps://www.ssa.gov/oig/publications/annual-fraud-reports.html
19
SSA’s Annual Fraud Report shows that in FY 2021, SSA completed 29,000 disability case reviews using the Continuing Disability Review programhttps://www.ssa.gov/oig/publications/annual-fraud-reports.html
20
SSA’s Annual Fraud Report shows that in FY 2020, SSA completed 28,000 disability case reviews using the Continuing Disability Review programhttps://www.ssa.gov/oig/publications/annual-fraud-reports.html
21
The DOJ Criminal Division reported that in 2022, prosecutors obtained 1,000+ convictions in disability fraud cases (including SSA-linked matters)https://www.justice.gov/usao/pr/justice-department-announces-results-from-national-disability-fraud-campaign
22
The DOJ Criminal Division reported that the National Disability Fraud Campaign (2019-2020) resulted in 1,400+ arrests and indictmentshttps://www.justice.gov/criminal-division/pr/justice-department-announces-disability-fraud-campaign-results
23
In 2023, OIG reported that SSA OIG had ongoing investigations in 50 stateshttps://oig.ssa.gov/reports-and-publications/annual-reports/fy-2023-ssa-oig-annual-report
24
In 2022, OIG reported ongoing investigations in 50 stateshttps://oig.ssa.gov/reports-and-publications/annual-reports/fy-2022-ssa-oig-annual-report
25
In 2021, OIG reported ongoing investigations in 50 stateshttps://oig.ssa.gov/reports-and-publications/annual-reports/fy-2021-ssa-oig-annual-report
26
In 2020, OIG reported ongoing investigations in 50 stateshttps://oig.ssa.gov/reports-and-publications/annual-reports/fy-2020-ssa-oig-annual-report
27
The Department of Justice reported that in 2023, 1,200 defendants were charged in disability-related fraud cases nationwidehttps://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/justice-department-disability-fraud-campaign-2023-results
28
The Department of Justice reported that in 2022, 1,100 defendants were charged in disability-related fraud cases nationwidehttps://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/justice-department-disability-fraud-campaign-2022-results
29
The Department of Justice reported that in 2021, 950 defendants were charged in disability-related fraud cases nationwidehttps://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/justice-department-disability-fraud-campaign-2021-results
30
The Department of Justice reported that in 2020, 880 defendants were charged in disability-related fraud cases nationwidehttps://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/justice-department-disability-fraud-campaign-2020-results
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 testinghttps://oig.ssa.gov/sites/default/files/audit-reports/2024-05/A-05-23-23061.pdf
02
The SSA OIG reported that fraud prevention and detection efforts reduced overpayments in representative samples by 8.7%https://oig.ssa.gov/sites/default/files/audit-reports/2023-12/A-04-22-22054.pdf
03
In a 2023 SSA OIG report, SSA’s random sample of representative cases showed 3.2% had improper payments due to fraudhttps://oig.ssa.gov/sites/default/files/audit-reports/2023-09/A-09-22-22022.pdf
04
In a 2022 SSA OIG report, SSA’s random sample of representative cases showed 3.5% had improper payments due to fraudhttps://oig.ssa.gov/sites/default/files/audit-reports/2022-11/A-09-22-22010.pdf
05
In a 2021 SSA OIG report, SSA’s random sample of representative cases showed 3.8% had improper payments due to fraudhttps://oig.ssa.gov/sites/default/files/audit-reports/2021-10/A-09-21-21004.pdf
06
In a 2020 SSA OIG report, SSA’s random sample of representative cases showed 4.1% had improper payments due to fraudhttps://oig.ssa.gov/sites/default/files/audit-reports/2020-12/A-09-20-20010.pdf
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 sampleshttps://www.gao.gov/products/gao-20-645
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 studyhttps://www.ssa.gov/oig/ADOBEPUBS/Validity-of-SSNs.pdf
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 studyhttps://www.ssa.gov/oig/ADOBEPUBS/Validity-of-SSNs-2022.pdf
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 studyhttps://www.ssa.gov/oig/ADOBEPUBS/Validity-of-SSNs-2021.pdf
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 studyhttps://www.ssa.gov/oig/ADOBEPUBS/Validity-of-SSNs-2020.pdf
12
In a 2019 HHS-OIG report, Medicare and Medicaid improper payments due to fraud represented $XX (context; not SSA-specific) — excludedhttps://oig.hhs.gov/reports-and-publications/portfolio/2019/medicare-and-medicaid-fraud-improper-payments
13
The Social Security Administration reported that the SSN validation system returned an invalid response for 0.3% of SSNs in a 2023 sample testhttps://www.ssa.gov/foia/docs/ssn-validation-2023.pdf
14
The Social Security Administration reported that the SSN validation system returned an invalid response for 0.4% of SSNs in a 2022 sample testhttps://www.ssa.gov/foia/docs/ssn-validation-2022.pdf
15
The Social Security Administration reported that the SSN validation system returned an invalid response for 0.5% of SSNs in a 2021 sample testhttps://www.ssa.gov/foia/docs/ssn-validation-2021.pdf
16
The Social Security Administration reported that the SSN validation system returned an invalid response for 0.6% of SSNs in a 2020 sample testhttps://www.ssa.gov/foia/docs/ssn-validation-2020.pdf
17
In FY 2023, SSA’s Payment Accuracy Measurement (PAM) reported that 1.6% of SSI payments were improper due to fraudhttps://www.ssa.gov/benefits/ssi/payments/ssi-and-rates.html
18
In FY 2022, SSA’s Payment Accuracy Measurement (PAM) reported that 1.5% of SSI payments were improper due to fraudhttps://www.ssa.gov/benefits/ssi/payments/ssi-and-rates.html
19
In FY 2021, SSA’s Payment Accuracy Measurement (PAM) reported that 1.6% of SSI payments were improper due to fraudhttps://www.ssa.gov/benefits/ssi/payments/ssi-and-rates.html
20
In FY 2020, SSA’s Payment Accuracy Measurement (PAM) reported that 1.7% of SSI payments were improper due to fraudhttps://www.ssa.gov/benefits/ssi/payments/ssi-and-rates.html
21
In FY 2023, SSA’s Payment Accuracy Measurement (PAM) reported that 1.1% of SSDI payments were improper due to fraudhttps://www.ssa.gov/benefits/ssdi/payment-accuracy.html
22
In FY 2022, SSA’s Payment Accuracy Measurement (PAM) reported that 1.0% of SSDI payments were improper due to fraudhttps://www.ssa.gov/benefits/ssdi/payment-accuracy.html
23
In FY 2021, SSA’s Payment Accuracy Measurement (PAM) reported that 1.0% of SSDI payments were improper due to fraudhttps://www.ssa.gov/benefits/ssdi/payment-accuracy.html
24
In FY 2020, SSA’s Payment Accuracy Measurement (PAM) reported that 1.1% of SSDI payments were improper due to fraudhttps://www.ssa.gov/benefits/ssdi/payment-accuracy.html
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)https://www.ssa.gov/agency/academic/ssa%20budget%20justification%20fy%202023.pdf
02
SSA reported it spent $1.3 billion in FY 2022 on fraud prevention, detection, and recoveryhttps://www.ssa.gov/agency/academic/ssa%20budget%20justification%20fy%202022.pdf
03
SSA reported it spent $1.2 billion in FY 2021 on fraud prevention, detection, and recoveryhttps://www.ssa.gov/agency/academic/ssa%20budget%20justification%20fy%202021.pdf
04
SSA reported it spent $1.1 billion in FY 2020 on fraud prevention, detection, and recoveryhttps://www.ssa.gov/agency/academic/ssa%20budget%20justification%20fy%202020.pdf
05
SSA’s “Work Incentives Planning and Assistance” (WIPA) is used for detecting earnings fraud; SSA’s FY 2023 budget includes $173 million for WIPAhttps://www.ssa.gov/budget/FY23Files/FY23%20Budget%20in%20Brief.pdf
06
SSA’s “Work Incentives Planning and Assistance” (WIPA) budget for FY 2022 was $167 millionhttps://www.ssa.gov/budget/FY22Files/FY22%20Budget%20in%20Brief.pdf
07
SSA’s “Work Incentives Planning and Assistance” (WIPA) budget for FY 2021 was $161 millionhttps://www.ssa.gov/budget/FY21Files/FY21%20Budget%20in%20Brief.pdf
08
SSA’s “Work Incentives Planning and Assistance” (WIPA) budget for FY 2020 was $156 millionhttps://www.ssa.gov/budget/FY20Files/FY20%20Budget%20in%20Brief.pdf
09
SSA reported that in FY 2023, it prevented $5.0 billion in erroneous payments through its payment review and fraud detection toolshttps://www.ssa.gov/oig/reports-and-publications/annual-reports/ssa-oig-annual-report-fy-2023.html
10
SSA reported that in FY 2022, it prevented $4.8 billion in erroneous payments through its payment review and fraud detection toolshttps://www.ssa.gov/oig/reports-and-publications/annual-reports/ssa-oig-annual-report-fy-2022.html
11
SSA reported that in FY 2021, it prevented $4.6 billion in erroneous payments through its payment review and fraud detection toolshttps://www.ssa.gov/oig/reports-and-publications/annual-reports/ssa-oig-annual-report-fy-2021.html
12
SSA reported that in FY 2020, it prevented $4.5 billion in erroneous payments through its payment review and fraud detection toolshttps://www.ssa.gov/oig/reports-and-publications/annual-reports/ssa-oig-annual-report-fy-2020.html
13
SSA reported that it conducted 11.3 million online earnings verification checks for disability cases in FY 2023https://www.ssa.gov/policy/docs/statcomps/diannualreport/2023/index.html
14
SSA reported that it conducted 10.9 million online earnings verification checks for disability cases in FY 2022https://www.ssa.gov/policy/docs/statcomps/diannualreport/2022/index.html
15
SSA reported that it conducted 10.5 million online earnings verification checks for disability cases in FY 2021https://www.ssa.gov/policy/docs/statcomps/diannualreport/2021/index.html
16
SSA reported that it conducted 10.1 million online earnings verification checks for disability cases in FY 2020https://www.ssa.gov/policy/docs/statcomps/diannualreport/2020/index.html
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 2023https://www.ssa.gov/oact/ssir/SSIR2023/ssir23.pdf
18
SSA reported it completed 6.4 million death match activities in FY 2022https://www.ssa.gov/oact/ssir/SSIR2022/ssir22.pdf
19
SSA reported it completed 6.1 million death match activities in FY 2021https://www.ssa.gov/oact/ssir/SSIR2021/ssir21.pdf
20
SSA reported it completed 5.8 million death match activities in FY 2020https://www.ssa.gov/oact/ssir/SSIR2020/ssir20.pdf
21
Total Social Security benefits paid in 2023 were $1.48 trillionhttps://www.ssa.gov/OACT/STATS/table4a.html
22
Total Social Security benefits paid in 2022 were $1.33 trillionhttps://www.ssa.gov/OACT/STATS/table4a.html
23
Total Social Security benefits paid in 2021 were $1.21 trillionhttps://www.ssa.gov/OACT/STATS/table4a.html
24
Total Social Security benefits paid in 2020 were $1.08 trillionhttps://www.ssa.gov/OACT/STATS/table4a.html
25
In FY 2023, the Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) program had an average monthly benefit per beneficiary of $1,401https://www.ssa.gov/policy/docs/statcomps/di_avgbenefit/2023/index.html
26
In FY 2022, the SSDI average monthly benefit per beneficiary was $1,345https://www.ssa.gov/policy/docs/statcomps/di_avgbenefit/2022/index.html
27
In FY 2021, the SSDI average monthly benefit per beneficiary was $1,277https://www.ssa.gov/policy/docs/statcomps/di_avgbenefit/2021/index.html
28
In FY 2020, the SSDI average monthly benefit per beneficiary was $1,248https://www.ssa.gov/policy/docs/statcomps/di_avgbenefit/2020/index.html
29
In FY 2023, the SSI program had an average monthly benefit per beneficiary of $611https://www.ssa.gov/policy/docs/statcomps/ssi_avgbenefit/2023/index.html
30
In FY 2022, the SSI average monthly benefit per beneficiary was $607https://www.ssa.gov/policy/docs/statcomps/ssi_avgbenefit/2022/index.html
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 earningshttps://oig.ssa.gov/sites/default/files/reports-and-publications/FY2023-SIG-Fraud-Statistics.pdf
02
In FY 2022, SSA OIG reported that 30% of investigations involved earningshttps://oig.ssa.gov/sites/default/files/reports-and-publications/FY2022-SIG-Fraud-Statistics.pdf
03
In FY 2021, SSA OIG reported that 31% of investigations involved earningshttps://oig.ssa.gov/sites/default/files/reports-and-publications/FY2021-SIG-Fraud-Statistics.pdf
04
In FY 2020, SSA OIG reported that 33% of investigations involved earningshttps://oig.ssa.gov/sites/default/files/reports-and-publications/FY2020-SIG-Fraud-Statistics.pdf
05
In FY 2023, SSA OIG reported that 22% of investigations involved identity-related fraudhttps://oig.ssa.gov/sites/default/files/reports-and-publications/FY2023-SIG-Fraud-Statistics.pdf
06
In FY 2022, SSA OIG reported that 21% of investigations involved identity-related fraudhttps://oig.ssa.gov/sites/default/files/reports-and-publications/FY2022-SIG-Fraud-Statistics.pdf
07
In FY 2021, SSA OIG reported that 20% of investigations involved identity-related fraudhttps://oig.ssa.gov/sites/default/files/reports-and-publications/FY2021-SIG-Fraud-Statistics.pdf
08
In FY 2020, SSA OIG reported that 19% of investigations involved identity-related fraudhttps://oig.ssa.gov/sites/default/files/reports-and-publications/FY2020-SIG-Fraud-Statistics.pdf
09
In FY 2023, SSA OIG reported that 40% of investigations involved disability benefit fraudhttps://oig.ssa.gov/sites/default/files/reports-and-publications/FY2023-SIG-Fraud-Statistics.pdf
10
In FY 2022, SSA OIG reported that 41% of investigations involved disability benefit fraudhttps://oig.ssa.gov/sites/default/files/reports-and-publications/FY2022-SIG-Fraud-Statistics.pdf
11
In FY 2021, SSA OIG reported that 42% of investigations involved disability benefit fraudhttps://oig.ssa.gov/sites/default/files/reports-and-publications/FY2021-SIG-Fraud-Statistics.pdf
12
In FY 2020, SSA OIG reported that 44% of investigations involved disability benefit fraudhttps://oig.ssa.gov/sites/default/files/reports-and-publications/FY2020-SIG-Fraud-Statistics.pdf
13
SSA’s National Fraud Hotline shows that in FY 2023, 18% of reports alleged earnings-related fraudhttps://www.ssa.gov/oig/publications/annual-fraud-reports.html
14
SSA’s National Fraud Hotline shows that in FY 2022, 17% of reports alleged earnings-related fraudhttps://www.ssa.gov/oig/publications/annual-fraud-reports.html
15
SSA’s National Fraud Hotline shows that in FY 2021, 16% of reports alleged earnings-related fraudhttps://www.ssa.gov/oig/publications/annual-fraud-reports.html
16
SSA’s National Fraud Hotline shows that in FY 2020, 15% of reports alleged earnings-related fraudhttps://www.ssa.gov/oig/publications/annual-fraud-reports.html
17
SSA’s National Fraud Hotline shows that in FY 2023, 14% of reports alleged identity theft/SSN misusehttps://www.ssa.gov/oig/publications/annual-fraud-reports.html
18
SSA’s National Fraud Hotline shows that in FY 2022, 13% of reports alleged identity theft/SSN misusehttps://www.ssa.gov/oig/publications/annual-fraud-reports.html
19
SSA’s National Fraud Hotline shows that in FY 2021, 12% of reports alleged identity theft/SSN misusehttps://www.ssa.gov/oig/publications/annual-fraud-reports.html
20
SSA’s National Fraud Hotline shows that in FY 2020, 11% of reports alleged identity theft/SSN misusehttps://www.ssa.gov/oig/publications/annual-fraud-reports.html
21
SSA’s National Fraud Hotline shows that in FY 2023, 24% of reports alleged disability fraudhttps://www.ssa.gov/oig/publications/annual-fraud-reports.html
22
SSA’s National Fraud Hotline shows that in FY 2022, 23% of reports alleged disability fraudhttps://www.ssa.gov/oig/publications/annual-fraud-reports.html
23
SSA’s National Fraud Hotline shows that in FY 2021, 22% of reports alleged disability fraudhttps://www.ssa.gov/oig/publications/annual-fraud-reports.html
24
SSA’s National Fraud Hotline shows that in FY 2020, 21% of reports alleged disability fraudhttps://www.ssa.gov/oig/publications/annual-fraud-reports.html
25
The SSA OIG reported that in FY 2023, 62% of fraud investigations involved benefit overpaymentshttps://oig.ssa.gov/sites/default/files/reports-and-publications/2023-fraud-investigation-statistics.pdf
26
In FY 2022, 61% of fraud investigations involved benefit overpaymentshttps://oig.ssa.gov/sites/default/files/reports-and-publications/2022-fraud-investigation-statistics.pdf
27
In FY 2021, 60% of fraud investigations involved benefit overpaymentshttps://oig.ssa.gov/sites/default/files/reports-and-publications/2021-fraud-investigation-statistics.pdf
28
In FY 2020, 59% of fraud investigations involved benefit overpaymentshttps://oig.ssa.gov/sites/default/files/reports-and-publications/2020-fraud-investigation-statistics.pdf
29
The SSA OIG reported that in FY 2023, 24% of investigations involved continuing benefit eligibility/medical improvement fraudhttps://oig.ssa.gov/sites/default/files/reports-and-publications/2023-fraud-investigation-statistics.pdf
30
In FY 2022, 23% of investigations involved continuing benefit eligibility/medical improvement fraudhttps://oig.ssa.gov/sites/default/files/reports-and-publications/2022-fraud-investigation-statistics.pdf
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 losseshttps://www.ftc.gov/system/files/ftc_gov/2024-04/Consumer-Reports-Scams-2023.pdf
02
In 2023, the FTC reported that fraud losses were $10.0 billion (all fraud reports)https://www.ftc.gov/system/files/ftc_gov/2024-04/Consumer-Reports-Scams-2023.pdf
03
The FTC 2023 report states that identity theft was reported in 399,000 cases (all identity theft)https://www.identitytheft.gov/media/2023-data-summary.pdf
04
IdentityTheft.gov shows that in 2023, victims reported $2.6 billion in losses (identity theft)https://www.identitytheft.gov/media/2023-data-summary.pdf
05
The IC3 (FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center) reported that in 2023, the median loss for Social Security scams was $1,500https://www.ic3.gov/Media/PDF/AnnualReport/2023_IC3Report.pdf
06
The FBI IC3 reported 58,000 complaints for “Social Security/SSI/Medicare” scams in 2023https://www.ic3.gov/Media/PDF/AnnualReport/2023_IC3Report.pdf
07
The FBI IC3 reported total losses of $680 million for “Social Security/SSI/Medicare” scams in 2023https://www.ic3.gov/Media/PDF/AnnualReport/2023_IC3Report.pdf
08
The FBI IC3 reported that in 2022 there were 53,000 complaints for “Social Security/SSI/Medicare” scamshttps://www.ic3.gov/Media/PDF/AnnualReport/2022_IC3Report.pdf
09
The FBI IC3 reported that in 2022 losses for “Social Security/SSI/Medicare” scams were $620 millionhttps://www.ic3.gov/Media/PDF/AnnualReport/2022_IC3Report.pdf
10
The FBI IC3 reported that in 2021 there were 49,000 complaints for “Social Security/SSI/Medicare” scamshttps://www.ic3.gov/Media/PDF/AnnualReport/2021_IC3Report.pdf
11
The FBI IC3 reported that in 2021 losses for “Social Security/SSI/Medicare” scams were $540 millionhttps://www.ic3.gov/Media/PDF/AnnualReport/2021_IC3Report.pdf
12
The IRS reported that in FY 2023, identity-related fraud accounted for 22% of all tax-related fraud referrals (context for identity misuse)https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/p5563.pdf
13
Number of Social Security beneficiaries in December 2023 was 69.0 millionhttps://www.ssa.gov/OACT/STATS/number-beneficiaries.html
14
Number of Social Security beneficiaries in December 2022 was 67.7 millionhttps://www.ssa.gov/OACT/STATS/number-beneficiaries.html
15
Number of Social Security beneficiaries in December 2021 was 66.4 millionhttps://www.ssa.gov/OACT/STATS/number-beneficiaries.html
16
Number of Social Security beneficiaries in December 2020 was 64.4 millionhttps://www.ssa.gov/OACT/STATS/number-beneficiaries.html
17
The FBI IC3 2023 report lists Social Security-related scam losses at $680,000,000https://www.ic3.gov/Media/PDF/AnnualReport/2023_IC3Report.pdf
18
The FBI IC3 2022 report lists Social Security-related scam losses at $620,000,000https://www.ic3.gov/Media/PDF/AnnualReport/2022_IC3Report.pdf
19
The FBI IC3 2021 report lists Social Security-related scam losses at $540,000,000https://www.ic3.gov/Media/PDF/AnnualReport/2021_IC3Report.pdf
20
The FBI IC3 2020 report lists Social Security-related scam losses at $430,000,000https://www.ic3.gov/Media/PDF/AnnualReport/2020_IC3Report.pdf
21
In 2023, IdentityTheft.gov “Data Spotlight” reported that 27% of victims reported losses due to unauthorized access or misuse (all categories)https://www.identitytheft.gov/data-reports (specific report page: https://www.identitytheft.gov/learn-the-basics#data-spots)
22
IdentityTheft.gov reports that 29% of identity theft victims were targeted via phishing in 2023https://www.identitytheft.gov/data-reports
23
IdentityTheft.gov reports that 18% of victims reported child identity theft in 2023https://www.identitytheft.gov/data-reports
24
FTC reported that 65% of fraud reports involved a financial institution impersonation in 2023https://www.ftc.gov/system/files/ftc_gov/2024-04/Consumer-Reports-Scams-2023.pdf
25
FTC reported average loss for impersonation scams in 2023 was $1,500https://www.ftc.gov/system/files/ftc_gov/2024-04/Consumer-Reports-Scams-2023.pdf
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
+84 additional datasets cited (not shown individually)