Social Security Rolls Out Updated Fraud Prevention Measures

The Social Security Administration (SSA) has released updated information on new anti-fraud procedures affecting benefit claims filed by phone. The revised measures officially went into effect on April 14.

In a recent press release, the Social Security Administration announced a series of updated measures to prevent fraudulent activity within its system. These are reportedly designed to both improve the customer experience and strengthen fraud prevention efforts.

A statement reads, “The enhanced technology enables SSA to identify suspicious activity in telephone claims by analyzing patterns and anomalies within a person’s account. If irregularities are detected, the individual will be asked to complete in-person identity proofing to continue processing their claim.”

The statement continues, “These advancements allow SSA to maintain the security of its services while continuing to expand access for customers who may be unable to file online or visit an office in person. The agency will continue to conduct identity verification for all in-person claims.”

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

Dudek added in a separate statement, “We have listened to our customers, Congress, advocates, and others, and we are updating our policy to provide better customer service to the country’s most vulnerable populations. In addition to extending the policy’s effective date by two weeks to ensure our employees have the training they need to help customers.”

Anti-fraud checks will affect all claims made over the phone. The SSA will also flag claims that have fraud risk indicators. These include claim discrepancies, unusual activity patterns, and inconsistencies in information provided per the department’s Fraud Prevention and Reporting website.

These Social Security Changes May Present New Problems

According to the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, the same day the new anti-fraud measures were implemented, phone services were discontinued for retirees and survivors applying for benefits, as well as for beneficiaries requesting direct deposit changes.

Here are the facts:

If you are changing your direct deposit information, the Social Security Administration will continue conducting anti-fraud checks in-person and online.

The Social Security Administration has rolled out several new anti-fraud measures to protect our…

— Social Security (@SocialSecurity) April 9, 2025

The report states that individuals wishing to file these claims must now visit a Social Security Administration office in person. However, the Center notes that many of these offices are located outside the areas served by certain communities, creating significant travel challenges, especially for seniors.

The agency estimates that ending crucial phone services would cause 75,000 to 85,000 more people per week to seek in-person service at local SSA offices. This totals roughly over 4 million customers annually.

There is the option to file online for these specific services. However, many seniors do not have internet access, and some may not understand how to navigate the website or have relatives or friends available to assist them.

As of now, Medicare, disability, and supplemental income applications are exempted from the new changes. More than 72.5 million people, including retirees and children, receive retirement and disability benefits through the Social Security Administration.

These changes come after reports in February 2025 that the Social Security Administration is preparing to lay off at least 7,000 people from its workforce of around 57,000. The agency shared plans to reduce the size of its workforce by focusing on functions and employees who do not directly provide critical services.