Social Security Administration cracking down on phone claim fraud — what to know

The Social Security Administration (SSA) has beefed up its fraud prevention tools so users can safely claim files over the telephone.

Effective Monday, April 14, the new SSA system — using “enhanced technology” to analyze patterns and anomalies within a person’s account — will be able to detect irregularities in phone claims. Irregularities would trigger people with flagged applications to have to prove their identity in-person to proceed.

The agency states this balances security with accessibility for those unable to file online or visit an office.

On April 8, the agency confirmed on X that identity verification for all in-person claims will continue, adding the “telephone remains a viable option to the public” but that of 4.5 million telephone claims made each year, 70,000 may be flagged.

“We are modernizing how we serve the public — enhancing both security and accessibility,” Leland Dudek, acting commissioner of Social Security, said in a statement. “These updates improve our ability to detect and prevent fraud while providing more flexible options for people to access their benefits.”

This follows a previous statement in March where the SSA indicated those unable to use their personal “my Social Security” online account would need to visit a local Social Security office for in-person identity proofing.

This initial change would have required individuals seeking retirement or survivor benefits to travel to a local field office to complete their claims, even if they began the process over the phone.

This stricter policy was initially delayed by two weeks from April 1 to April 14. The SSA also adjusted the policy for those applying for Social Security Disability Insurance, Medicare or Supplemental Security Income, allowing them to complete their claims via phone while largely maintaining the in-person requirements for Survivor, Retirement and Auxiliary (spouse or child) benefits.

Now, the government has further walked back the telephone policy, with a White House spokesperson telling NPR that telephone services remain a viable option for those seeking services.

This announcement comes amidst other discussions regarding the SSA’s operations.

Billionaire Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency, or DOGE, identified almost 50 Social Security field offices nationwide it planned to close in a bid to downsize government spending — a move refuted by the Social Security Administration, who said reports of closing field offices are false.