Social Security Implements New Anti-Fraud Rules for Telephone Claims

The updated policies require flagged phone claims to undergo in-person verification and restrict direct deposit changes to online or in-person methods.

• As of April 14, all telephone claims filed with the Social Security Administration are subject to anti-fraud checks, with flagged cases requiring in-person identity verification.
• Beneficiaries can no longer update direct deposit information via phone; changes must be made online or at SSA field offices to prevent fraud.
• The new measures aim to address high rates of fraud, with 40% of calls to change direct deposit information reportedly coming from fraudsters.
• Repeated revisions to the policies and inadequate training for SSA staff have caused confusion among beneficiaries and agency employees.
• The changes are part of a broader modernization effort led by the Department of Government Efficiency to enhance security and accessibility.

3 Articles

Fox Business Cleveland Plain Dealer CNN