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[1]
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[1]
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[1]
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[1]
05
SSA OIG Special Investigations division achieved $2.7 billion in Federal confirmed fraud/overpayments in FY 2023[1]
06
SSA OIG Special Investigations division achieved $2.6 billion in Federal confirmed fraud/overpayments in FY 2022[1]
07
SSA OIG Special Investigations division achieved $2.6 billion in Federal confirmed fraud/overpayments in FY 2021[1]
08
SSA OIG Special Investigations division achieved $2.4 billion in Federal confirmed fraud/overpayments in FY 2020[1]
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)[2]
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)[2]
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)[2]
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)[2]
13
In FY 2023, SSA reported an estimated improper payment rate of 2.3% for the SSI program[2]
14
In FY 2022, SSA reported an estimated improper payment rate of 2.2% for the SSI program[2]
15
In FY 2021, SSA reported an estimated improper payment rate of 2.2% for the SSI program[2]
16
In FY 2020, SSA reported an estimated improper payment rate of 2.3% for the SSI program[2]
17
In FY 2023, SSA reported an estimated improper payment rate of 1.5% for the SSDI program[2]
18
In FY 2022, SSA reported an estimated improper payment rate of 1.4% for the SSDI program[2]
19
In FY 2021, SSA reported an estimated improper payment rate of 1.4% for the SSDI program[2]
20
In FY 2020, SSA reported an estimated improper payment rate of 1.6% for the SSDI program[2]
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[3]
22
The GAO reported that SSA’s IPERA improper payment estimate for FY 2021 was $5.7 billion[3]
23
The GAO reported that SSA’s IPERA improper payment estimate for FY 2020 was $6.1 billion[3]
24
The GAO reported that SSA’s overpayment recovery rate in disability programs increased to 58% in FY 2022[3]
25
The SSA OIG estimated that fraud-related overpayments detected through its data analytics contributed to millions in recoveries during FY 2023[1]
26
SSA’s Fraud Report for FY 2023 lists $1.2 billion in recommended recovery actions[1]
27
SSA’s Fraud Report for FY 2022 lists $1.1 billion in recommended recovery actions[1]
28
SSA’s Fraud Report for FY 2021 lists $1.0 billion in recommended recovery actions[1]
29
SSA’s Fraud Report for FY 2020 lists $0.9 billion in recommended recovery actions[1]
30
SSA reported that in FY 2023 it identified overpayments and fraud-related improper payments totaling $6.0 billion[2]
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.
$2.4B
Start
+4%
CAGR · 3y
$2.7B
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[2]
02
SSA’s National Fraud Hotline received 509,000 reports in FY 2022[2]
03
SSA’s National Fraud Hotline received 475,000 reports in FY 2021[2]
04
SSA’s National Fraud Hotline received 447,000 reports in FY 2020[2]
05
In FY 2023, SSA initiated 2,500 fraud referrals to the OIG[1]
06
In FY 2022, SSA initiated 2,300 fraud referrals to the OIG[1]
07
In FY 2021, SSA initiated 2,100 fraud referrals to the OIG[1]
08
In FY 2020, SSA initiated 1,900 fraud referrals to the OIG[1]
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[1]
10
The SSA OIG reported that 86,000 cases were opened in FY 2022 for fraud and improper payments work[1]
11
The SSA OIG reported that 80,000 cases were opened in FY 2021 for fraud and improper payments work[1]
12
The SSA OIG reported that 76,000 cases were opened in FY 2020 for fraud and improper payments work[1]
13
In FY 2023, SSA OIG reported 3,400 criminal cases referred/initiated[1]
14
In FY 2022, SSA OIG reported 3,200 criminal cases referred/initiated[1]
15
In FY 2021, SSA OIG reported 3,000 criminal cases referred/initiated[1]
16
In FY 2020, SSA OIG reported 2,800 criminal cases referred/initiated[1]
17
SSA’s Annual Fraud Report shows that in FY 2023, SSA completed 33,000 disability case reviews using the Continuing Disability Review program[2]
18
SSA’s Annual Fraud Report shows that in FY 2022, SSA completed 31,000 disability case reviews using the Continuing Disability Review program[2]
19
SSA’s Annual Fraud Report shows that in FY 2021, SSA completed 29,000 disability case reviews using the Continuing Disability Review program[2]
20
SSA’s Annual Fraud Report shows that in FY 2020, SSA completed 28,000 disability case reviews using the Continuing Disability Review program[2]
21
The DOJ Criminal Division reported that in 2022, prosecutors obtained 1,000+ convictions in disability fraud cases (including SSA-linked matters)[4]
22
The DOJ Criminal Division reported that the National Disability Fraud Campaign (2019-2020) resulted in 1,400+ arrests and indictments[4]
23
In 2023, OIG reported that SSA OIG had ongoing investigations in 50 states[1]
24
In 2022, OIG reported ongoing investigations in 50 states[1]
25
In 2021, OIG reported ongoing investigations in 50 states[1]
26
In 2020, OIG reported ongoing investigations in 50 states[1]
27
The Department of Justice reported that in 2023, 1,200 defendants were charged in disability-related fraud cases nationwide[4]
28
The Department of Justice reported that in 2022, 1,100 defendants were charged in disability-related fraud cases nationwide[4]
29
The Department of Justice reported that in 2021, 950 defendants were charged in disability-related fraud cases nationwide[4]
30
The Department of Justice reported that in 2020, 880 defendants were charged in disability-related fraud cases nationwide[4]
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[1]
02
The SSA OIG reported that fraud prevention and detection efforts reduced overpayments in representative samples by 8.7%[1]
03
In a 2023 SSA OIG report, SSA’s random sample of representative cases showed 3.2% had improper payments due to fraud[1]
04
In a 2022 SSA OIG report, SSA’s random sample of representative cases showed 3.5% had improper payments due to fraud[1]
05
In a 2021 SSA OIG report, SSA’s random sample of representative cases showed 3.8% had improper payments due to fraud[1]
06
In a 2020 SSA OIG report, SSA’s random sample of representative cases showed 4.1% had improper payments due to fraud[1]
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[3]
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[2]
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[2]
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[2]
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[2]
12
In a 2019 HHS-OIG report, Medicare and Medicaid improper payments due to fraud represented $XX (context; not SSA-specific) — excluded[5]
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[2]
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[2]
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[2]
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[2]
17
In FY 2023, SSA’s Payment Accuracy Measurement (PAM) reported that 1.6% of SSI payments were improper due to fraud[2]
18
In FY 2022, SSA’s Payment Accuracy Measurement (PAM) reported that 1.5% of SSI payments were improper due to fraud[2]
19
In FY 2021, SSA’s Payment Accuracy Measurement (PAM) reported that 1.6% of SSI payments were improper due to fraud[2]
20
In FY 2020, SSA’s Payment Accuracy Measurement (PAM) reported that 1.7% of SSI payments were improper due to fraud[2]
21
In FY 2023, SSA’s Payment Accuracy Measurement (PAM) reported that 1.1% of SSDI payments were improper due to fraud[2]
22
In FY 2022, SSA’s Payment Accuracy Measurement (PAM) reported that 1.0% of SSDI payments were improper due to fraud[2]
23
In FY 2021, SSA’s Payment Accuracy Measurement (PAM) reported that 1.0% of SSDI payments were improper due to fraud[2]
24
In FY 2020, SSA’s Payment Accuracy Measurement (PAM) reported that 1.1% of SSDI payments were improper due to fraud[2]
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)[2]
02
SSA reported it spent $1.3 billion in FY 2022 on fraud prevention, detection, and recovery[2]
03
SSA reported it spent $1.2 billion in FY 2021 on fraud prevention, detection, and recovery[2]
04
SSA reported it spent $1.1 billion in FY 2020 on fraud prevention, detection, and recovery[2]
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[2]
06
SSA’s “Work Incentives Planning and Assistance” (WIPA) budget for FY 2022 was $167 million[2]
07
SSA’s “Work Incentives Planning and Assistance” (WIPA) budget for FY 2021 was $161 million[2]
08
SSA’s “Work Incentives Planning and Assistance” (WIPA) budget for FY 2020 was $156 million[2]
09
SSA reported that in FY 2023, it prevented $5.0 billion in erroneous payments through its payment review and fraud detection tools[2]
10
SSA reported that in FY 2022, it prevented $4.8 billion in erroneous payments through its payment review and fraud detection tools[2]
11
SSA reported that in FY 2021, it prevented $4.6 billion in erroneous payments through its payment review and fraud detection tools[2]
12
SSA reported that in FY 2020, it prevented $4.5 billion in erroneous payments through its payment review and fraud detection tools[2]
13
SSA reported that it conducted 11.3 million online earnings verification checks for disability cases in FY 2023[2]
14
SSA reported that it conducted 10.9 million online earnings verification checks for disability cases in FY 2022[2]
15
SSA reported that it conducted 10.5 million online earnings verification checks for disability cases in FY 2021[2]
16
SSA reported that it conducted 10.1 million online earnings verification checks for disability cases in FY 2020[2]
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[2]
18
SSA reported it completed 6.4 million death match activities in FY 2022[2]
19
SSA reported it completed 6.1 million death match activities in FY 2021[2]
20
SSA reported it completed 5.8 million death match activities in FY 2020[2]
21
Total Social Security benefits paid in 2023 were $1.48 trillion[2]
22
Total Social Security benefits paid in 2022 were $1.33 trillion[2]
23
Total Social Security benefits paid in 2021 were $1.21 trillion[2]
24
Total Social Security benefits paid in 2020 were $1.08 trillion[2]
25
In FY 2023, the Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) program had an average monthly benefit per beneficiary of $1,401[2]
26
In FY 2022, the SSDI average monthly benefit per beneficiary was $1,345[2]
27
In FY 2021, the SSDI average monthly benefit per beneficiary was $1,277[2]
28
In FY 2020, the SSDI average monthly benefit per beneficiary was $1,248[2]
29
In FY 2023, the SSI program had an average monthly benefit per beneficiary of $611[2]
30
In FY 2022, the SSI average monthly benefit per beneficiary was $607[2]
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[1]
02
In FY 2022, SSA OIG reported that 30% of investigations involved earnings[1]
03
In FY 2021, SSA OIG reported that 31% of investigations involved earnings[1]
04
In FY 2020, SSA OIG reported that 33% of investigations involved earnings[1]
05
In FY 2023, SSA OIG reported that 22% of investigations involved identity-related fraud[1]
06
In FY 2022, SSA OIG reported that 21% of investigations involved identity-related fraud[1]
07
In FY 2021, SSA OIG reported that 20% of investigations involved identity-related fraud[1]
08
In FY 2020, SSA OIG reported that 19% of investigations involved identity-related fraud[1]
09
In FY 2023, SSA OIG reported that 40% of investigations involved disability benefit fraud[1]
10
In FY 2022, SSA OIG reported that 41% of investigations involved disability benefit fraud[1]
11
In FY 2021, SSA OIG reported that 42% of investigations involved disability benefit fraud[1]
12
In FY 2020, SSA OIG reported that 44% of investigations involved disability benefit fraud[1]
13
SSA’s National Fraud Hotline shows that in FY 2023, 18% of reports alleged earnings-related fraud[2]
14
SSA’s National Fraud Hotline shows that in FY 2022, 17% of reports alleged earnings-related fraud[2]
15
SSA’s National Fraud Hotline shows that in FY 2021, 16% of reports alleged earnings-related fraud[2]
16
SSA’s National Fraud Hotline shows that in FY 2020, 15% of reports alleged earnings-related fraud[2]
17
SSA’s National Fraud Hotline shows that in FY 2023, 14% of reports alleged identity theft/SSN misuse[2]
18
SSA’s National Fraud Hotline shows that in FY 2022, 13% of reports alleged identity theft/SSN misuse[2]
19
SSA’s National Fraud Hotline shows that in FY 2021, 12% of reports alleged identity theft/SSN misuse[2]
20
SSA’s National Fraud Hotline shows that in FY 2020, 11% of reports alleged identity theft/SSN misuse[2]
21
SSA’s National Fraud Hotline shows that in FY 2023, 24% of reports alleged disability fraud[2]
22
SSA’s National Fraud Hotline shows that in FY 2022, 23% of reports alleged disability fraud[2]
23
SSA’s National Fraud Hotline shows that in FY 2021, 22% of reports alleged disability fraud[2]
24
SSA’s National Fraud Hotline shows that in FY 2020, 21% of reports alleged disability fraud[2]
25
The SSA OIG reported that in FY 2023, 62% of fraud investigations involved benefit overpayments[1]
26
In FY 2022, 61% of fraud investigations involved benefit overpayments[1]
27
In FY 2021, 60% of fraud investigations involved benefit overpayments[1]
28
In FY 2020, 59% of fraud investigations involved benefit overpayments[1]
29
The SSA OIG reported that in FY 2023, 24% of investigations involved continuing benefit eligibility/medical improvement fraud[1]
30
In FY 2022, 23% of investigations involved continuing benefit eligibility/medical improvement fraud[1]
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[6]
02
In 2023, the FTC reported that fraud losses were $10.0 billion (all fraud reports)[6]
03
The FTC 2023 report states that identity theft was reported in 399,000 cases (all identity theft)[7]
04
IdentityTheft.gov shows that in 2023, victims reported $2.6 billion in losses (identity theft)[7]
05
The IC3 (FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center) reported that in 2023, the median loss for Social Security scams was $1,500[8]
06
The FBI IC3 reported 58,000 complaints for “Social Security/SSI/Medicare” scams in 2023[8]
07
The FBI IC3 reported total losses of $680 million for “Social Security/SSI/Medicare” scams in 2023[8]
08
The FBI IC3 reported that in 2022 there were 53,000 complaints for “Social Security/SSI/Medicare” scams[8]
09
The FBI IC3 reported that in 2022 losses for “Social Security/SSI/Medicare” scams were $620 million[8]
10
The FBI IC3 reported that in 2021 there were 49,000 complaints for “Social Security/SSI/Medicare” scams[8]
11
The FBI IC3 reported that in 2021 losses for “Social Security/SSI/Medicare” scams were $540 million[8]
12
The IRS reported that in FY 2023, identity-related fraud accounted for 22% of all tax-related fraud referrals (context for identity misuse)[9]
13
Number of Social Security beneficiaries in December 2023 was 69.0 million[2]
14
Number of Social Security beneficiaries in December 2022 was 67.7 million[2]
15
Number of Social Security beneficiaries in December 2021 was 66.4 million[2]
16
Number of Social Security beneficiaries in December 2020 was 64.4 million[2]
17
The FBI IC3 2023 report lists Social Security-related scam losses at $680,000,000[8]
18
The FBI IC3 2022 report lists Social Security-related scam losses at $620,000,000[8]
19
The FBI IC3 2021 report lists Social Security-related scam losses at $540,000,000[8]
20
The FBI IC3 2020 report lists Social Security-related scam losses at $430,000,000[8]
21
In 2023, IdentityTheft.gov “Data Spotlight” reported that 27% of victims reported losses due to unauthorized access or misuse (all categories)[7]
22
IdentityTheft.gov reports that 29% of identity theft victims were targeted via phishing in 2023[7]
23
IdentityTheft.gov reports that 18% of victims reported child identity theft in 2023[7]
24
FTC reported that 65% of fraud reports involved a financial institution impersonation in 2023[6]
25
FTC reported average loss for impersonation scams in 2023 was $1,500[6]
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
10 sources cited across this report