>> GOOD EVENING.
I'M LAUREN FROM SOCIAL SECURITY.
THANK YOU FOR TUNING IN
TO OUR SOCIAL SECURITY
LIVE SHOW TONIGHT.
AT SOCIAL SECURITY,
WE SERVE MILLIONS OF AMERICANS
EVERY DAY BY PAYING RETIREMENT,
DISABILITY, SPOUSES,
AND SURVIVORS BENEFITS.
WE ARE COMMITTED TO PROVIDING A
FOUNDATION OF FINANCIAL SECURITY
FOR OUR NATION'S CITIZENS.
UNFORTUNATELY, SOME OF OUR
SENIOR CITIZENS MAY BE
FINANCIALLY EXPLOITED,
ABUSED, AND NEGLECTED.
OFTEN, THESE CHALLENGES ROB
OUR ELDERLY OF THEIR DIGNITY
AS THEY PREPARE TO LIVE
OUT THEIR GOLDEN YEARS.
ON JUNE 15TH,
WE COMMEMORATE "WORLD ELDER
ABUSE AWARENESS DAY." DID YOU
KNOW THAT APPROXIMATELY ONE IN
TEN SENIORS IS ABUSED EACH YEAR,
OR THAT ABUSE IS UNDERREPORTED,
WITH AN ESTIMATED ONE IN EVERY
23 CASES BEING REPORTED TO
ADULT PROTECTIVE SERVICES?
WORLD ELDER ABUSE AWARENESS DAY
PROVIDES THE OPPORTUNITY TO
RAISE AWARENESS ABOUT ELDER
ABUSE, WHY IT OCCURS,
AND WHAT WE CAN DO
TO HELP STOP IT.
TONIGHT WE ARE JOINING FORCES
WITH SOCIAL SECURITY'S OFFICE
OF INSPECTOR GENERAL TO TALK
ABOUT ELDER ABUSE AND SHARE
TIPS ON WHAT YOU CAN DO
TO HELP PREVENT IT.
WITH US TO TALK ABOUT
THIS IMPORTANT ISSUE
IS JENNIFER WALKER,
DEPUTY ASSISTANT INSPECTOR
GENERAL FOR INVESTIGATIONS.
WELCOME.
>> GOOD EVENING AND THANK YOU.
IT'S MY PLEASURE TO BE HERE
TONIGHT TO TALK ABOUT THE
IMPORTANCE OF PROTECTING
SENIORS IN OUR COMMUNITIES.
>> DEFINITELY.
BEFORE WE GET STARTED,
WE WANT TO LET THE AUDIENCE
KNOW THAT WE WILL BE TAKING
LIVE QUESTIONS ON THE TOPIC
OF ELDER ABUSE AND THE
OFFICE OF INSPECTOR GENERAL.
IF YOU HAVE A QUESTION
ON THIS TOPIC,
BE SURE TO TYPE IT BELOW
IN THE COMMENT BOX,
AND WE WILL TRY TO
ANSWER IT LATER.
REMEMBER, DO NOT POST
PERSONALLY IDENTIFIABLE
INFORMATION ON SOCIAL MEDIA.
SO, JENNIFER,
CAN YOU TELL US A
LITTLE BIT ABOUT YOURSELF
AND WHAT THE OFFICE OF
INSPECTOR GENERAL DOES?
>> SURE.
THE OIG CONDUCTS OVERSIGHT OF
SSA'S PROGRAMS AND OPERATIONS,
AND IT DETECTS AND PREVENTS
SOCIAL SECURITY FRAUD,
WASTE AND ABUSE.
EACH FEDERAL GOVERNMENT
AGENCY HAS AN OIG THAT
OVERSEES HOW IT OPERATES.
I'M THE ASSISTANT DEPUTY
INSPECTOR GENERAL
FOR INVESTIGATIONS,
AND I OVERSEE INVESTIGATIVE
ACTIVITY THROUGHOUT THE COUNTRY.
WE HAVE AGENTS THAT INVESTIGATE
SOCIAL SECURITY FRAUD IN
EVERY STATE,
BUT IN ADDITION WE ALSO
HAVE AUDITORS, ATTORNEYS,
AND SUPPORT STAFF, AS WELL.
MAINLY DO WE OUR JOB AT OIG
THROUGH OUR CRIMINAL
INVESTIGATIONS OF SOCIAL
SECURITY FRAUD AND OUR AUDITS OF
SSA'S PROGRAMS AND OPERATIONS.
>> OKAY, THANK YOU.
AND CAN YOU TELL US MORE ABOUT
WHAT OIG INVESTIGATES AND HOW IT
DOES ITS INVESTIGATIVE WORK?
>> YES.
WE INVESTIGATE ALL FORMS OF
SOCIAL SECURITY FRAUD TO
INCLUDE THEFT OF BENEFITS,
INCLUDING DISABILITY BENEFITS.
THIS OCCURS WHEN SOMEONE LIES
TO SSA OR CONCEALS INFORMATION
ABOUT THEIR SITUATION TO
COLLECT BENEFITS.
FOR INSTANCE,
A PERSON MAY WITHHOLD
INFORMATION THAT WOULD MAKE
THEM INELIGIBLE FOR BENEFITS.
WE ALSO INVESTIGATE DECEASED
BENEFICIARY FRAUD.
AND THIS HAPPENS WHEN SOMEONE
DIES AND SOMEONE ELSE FAILS
TO NOTIFY THE SOCIAL SECURITY
ADMINISTRATION OF THEIR DEATH,
AND THEN THAT PERSON CONTINUES
TO COLLECT BENEFITS OF
THIS DECEASED PERSON.
IN ADDITION,
WE ALSO INVESTIGATE SOCIAL
SECURITY NUMBER MISUSE AND
THREATS OR ASSAULTS AGAINST
SSA EMPLOYEES OR PROPERTY.
IN ALL, WE RECEIVE ABOUT 150,
000 ALLEGATIONS OF FRAUD EVERY
YEAR FROM SSA AND DDS EMPLOYEES,
FROM PRIVATE CITIZENS,
STATE OR LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT,
OTHER FEDERAL AGENCIES,
AND THROUGH CONGRESS.
>> OH WOW.
AND CAN YOU EXPLAIN TO OUR
AUDIENCE WHAT ELDER ABUSE IS?
>> YES.
SADLY, ELDER ABUSE ENCOMPASSES
SEVERAL FORMS OF MISTREATMENT
OF SENIORS, INCLUDING PHYSICAL
ABUSE, NEGLECT, AND
FINANCIAL EXPLOITATION.
FOR EXAMPLE,
A FAMILY MEMBER OR CAREGIVER
COULD HARM OR NEGLECT
THE SENIOR THEY CARE FOR.
ANOTHER EXAMPLE WOULD BE A THIEF
TRYING TO DECEIVE THE SENIOR
OF INFORMATION TO STEAL THEIR
MONEY OR FINANCIAL INFORMATION.
OBVIOUSLY, THIS IS AN IMPORTANT
ISSUE FOR SSA AND FOR THE OIG,
BECAUSE MANY OF SSA'S
CUSTOMERS ARE SENIORS.
>> AND HOW DOES OIG COMBAT THESE
ELDER ABUSE RELATED ISSUES?
>> SO WE DO THAT IN
SEVERAL WAYS.
SENIORS DEPEND ON OTHER PEOPLE
TO RECEIVE AND MANAGE THEIR
SOCIAL SECURITY BENEFITS
IN A LOT OF INSTANCES,
AND WE CALL THOSE PEOPLE
REPRESENTATIVE PAYEES.
THE PAYEE RECEIVES THE SOCIAL
SECURITY BENEFITS FOR THE
SENIOR BECAUSE THEY CAN'T
MANAGE THEIR OWN FUNDS.
WHEN A PAYEE RECEIVES THE
BENEFITS FOR A SENIOR,
THEY PLEDGE TO USE THOSE FUNDS
IN THE SENIOR'S BEST INTEREST.
WHEN THAT DOESN'T HAPPEN,
WE CALL THAT REPRESENTATIVE
PAYEE MISUSE.
WE INVESTIGATE SEVERAL HUNDRED
OF THOSE CASES EVERY YEAR.
OUR AUDITORS ALSO DO A
LOT OF WORK IN THIS AREA
TO HELP SSA MONITOR THE
REPRESENTATIVE PAYEE PROGRAM.
SSA WANTS TO MAKE SURE
THAT ITS BENEFICIARIES GET
THE HELP THAT THEY NEED,
SO THE AGENCY USES OUR REVIEWS
AND RECOMMENDATIONS FROM
OUR AUDITS TO IMPROVE THE
REPRESENTATIVE PAYEE PROGRAM.
IT'S IMPORTANT TO NOTE THAT
THE MAJORITY OF REPRESENTIVE
PAYEES DO THE RIGHT THING
BY THE SENIORS THAT
THEY ARE CARING FOR.
FINALLY, THERE ARE SEVERAL
SCAMS OUT THERE WHICH
CAN AFFECT VULNERABLE
POPULATIONS LIKE SENIORS.
WE'VE SEEN EXAMPLES WHERE
CRIMINALS CALL AND PRETEND TO BE
EMPLOYEES OF THE SOCIAL SECURITY
ADMINISTRATION OR THE OIG.
AND WHEN SOMEONE GETS THAT CALL,
THEY THINK IT'S LEGITIMATE,
BECAUSE THEY THINK IT'S FROM
A REAL GOVERNMENT AGENCY.
AND SOON THEY ARE GIVING
UP THEIR MONEY AND THEIR
PERSONAL INFORMATION.
WE DO A LOT OF PUBLIC OUTREACH
IN THAT AREA TO MAKE PEOPLE
AWARE OF THOSE SCAMS AND
TO HELP PROTECT THEM.
>> OKAY.
AND WHAT'S BEING DONE TO REDUCE
ELDER ABUSE ON A BROADER SCALE?
>> SO THE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE
HAS MADE IT A PRIORITY TO
REDUCE ELDER ABUSE,
TO ADDRESS CRIMES
AGAINST SENIORS,
AND TO RAISE AWARENESS
OF THIS ISSUE.
DOJ'S ELDER ABUSE INITIATIVE
IS WORKING ON SEVERAL FRONTS
TO PROTECT SENIORS FROM
VARIOUS FORMS OF ABUSE.
FOR EXAMPLE,
PROSECUTING THOSE WHO PERPETRATE
THESE FINANCIAL SCHEMES AGAINST
SENIORS, ESTABLISHING FEDERAL,
STATE, AND LOCAL TASK
FORCES TO COMBAT THE ISSUE,
AND PROVIDING ASSISTANCE
FOR ELDER ABUSE VICTIMS.
DOJ HAS A LOT OF INFORMATION
ONLINE ABOUT THIS ISSUE,
AND THEIR WEBSITE IS
JUSTICE.GOV/ELDERJUSTICE.
>> OKAY, THANK YOU.
SO IF YOU'RE JUST TUNING IN,
WE'RE HERE WITH JENNIFER WALKER,
DEPUTY ASSISTANT INSPECTOR
GENERAL FOR INVESTIGATIONS,
TALKING ABOUT ELDER ABUSE
AND HOW YOU CAN PREVENT IT.
IF YOU HAVE A QUESTION
FOR JENNIFER,
PLEASE PUT IT IN THE
COMMENTS SECTION BELOW.
WE WILL ANSWER IT
LATER IN THE SHOW.
REMEMBER, DO NOT POST
PERSONALLY IDENTIFIABLE
INFORMATION ON SOCIAL MEDIA.
WE'VE TALKED IN GENERAL
ABOUT ELDER ABUSE SO FAR.
CAN YOU SHARE AN EXAMPLE
OF AN OIG INVESTIGATION
RELATED TO ELDER ABUSE OR
FINANCIAL EXPLOITATION.
>> YES, ONE IN PARTICULAR COMES
TO MIND FROM A COUPLE YEARS
AGO THAT OUR INVESTIGATORS
INVESTIGATED IN THE
STATE OF WASHINGTON.
IN THIS CASE,
A WOMAN CONVINCED HER LANDLORD,
A 78-YEAR-OLD MAN,
THAT SHE NEEDED MONEY TO
PAY FOR CANCER TREATMENTS.
IN FACT,
SHE DID NOT EVEN HAVE CANCER,
AND SHE USED THE MORE THAN
$400,000 THAT HE GAVE TO HER
FOR A GAMBLING ADDICTION.
THE MAN WROTE THE WOMAN
MORE THAN 190 CHECKS
OVER A PERIOD OF TIME,
AND LUCKILY HIS BANK BECAME
SUSPICIOUS AND ALERTED
HIS FAMILY MEMBERS.
ONCE THE FAMILY MEMBERS
STARTED LOOKING INTO THIS,
THE WOMAN'S SCHEME UNRAVELED.
UNFORTUNATELY, WHILE SHE
WAS DEFRAUDING HIM,
SHE ALSO APPLIED FOR
BENEFITS FROM SSA AND
THE STATE OF WASHINGTON.
TO DO THIS,
SHE CONCEALED THE MONEY SHE
WAS RECEIVING FROM THE VICTIM.
SO WHILE SHE WAS DEFRAUDING THIS
INNOCENT SENIOR, HER LANDLORD,
SHE WAS ALSO DEFRAUDING
THE TAXPAYERS AS WELL.
SO, AS A RESULT OF
OUR INVESTIGATION,
THE WOMAN PLED GUILTY
TO HER CRIMES;
A JUDGE SENTENCED HER TO TWO
YEARS IN PRISON AND ORDERED HER
TO REPAY THE MONEY NOT ONLY TO
SSA BUT ALSO TO THE VICTIM.
>> YEAH, WOW,
THAT'S AN UNFORTUNATE STORY,
BUT GOOD WORK BY OIG.
>> THANKS.
>> YOU ALSO MENTIONED THAT
THE OIG WORKS CASES WHERE
REPRESENTATIVE PAYEES OF
SENIORS COMMIT FRAUD BY
STEALING BENEFITS.
WHAT ARE SOME SIGNS OF THIS TYPE
OF FINANCIAL EXPLOITATION THAT
PEOPLE CAN LOOK OUT FOR?
>> YEAH, SO LIKE I MENTIONED
BEFORE, WE INVESTIGATE
SEVERAL HUNDRED OF THESE
CASES EACH YEAR,
AND THEY ARE VERY DISHEARTENING,
BECAUSE THE SENIORS ARE ONE OF
OUR MOST VULNERABLE POPULATIONS.
BUT IN THESE CASES SOME THINGS
TO LOOK FOR IS INDICATIONS THAT
THE PAYEE IS NOT MEETING THE
SENIOR'S BASIC NEEDS: THEY ARE
LIVING IN SUBSTANDARD HOUSING;
THEY ARE NOT GETTING THE FOOD,
SHELTER, OR MEDICINES
THAT THEY NEED.
ANOTHER THING TO LOOK OUT
FOR IS SUSPICIOUS ACTIVITY
ON THE PART OF THE PAYEE.
IS THE PAYEE SUDDENLY SPENDING
MORE MONEY ON THEMSELVES THAT
SHOULD BE GOING TO THE SENIOR.
AND LASTLY,
ANY CONCERNS OR REPORTS
FROM THE SENIOR THEMSELVES.
ARE THEY COMPLAINING ABOUT
SUBSTANDARD HOUSING,
NOT HAVING ADEQUATE CLOTHING,
ADEQUATE FOOD,
OR THEY DON'T HAVE
THEIR MEDICATIONS?
>> OKAY.
WELL, THAT'S GOOD INFORMATION.
THANK YOU.
LET'S TALK A LITTLE MORE ABOUT
THE FINANCIAL AND IDENTITY
THEFT SCAMS THAT ARE OUT THERE.
WHAT SHOULD VIEWERS KNOW
ABOUT THESE SCAMS?
>> SO THERE ARE SEVERAL
DIFFERENT TYPES OF THESE SCAMS.
THE FIRST ONE I'LL TALK ABOUT
IS IMPERSONATION SCHEMES.
SO THIS IS A COMMUNICATION,
USUALLY A PHONE CALL,
AN EMAIL, OR A TEXT,
IN WHICH THE CALLER CLAIMS
TO BE FROM A GOVERNMENT AGENCY,
LIKE THE SSA OR THE IRS.
I'M SURE A LOT OF OUR
VIEWERS HAVE RECEIVED
SIMILAR CALLS LIKE THIS.
THE CALLER IS TRYING TO OBTAIN
PERSONAL INFORMATION OR
FINANCIAL INFORMATION OR MONEY
FROM THEIR VICTIM THROUGH
INTIMIDATION BY SAYING THEY
ARE WITH THE GOVERNMENT.
THE SECOND TYPE OF SCHEME
WE SEE A LOT OF IS CALLED
AN ADVANCED FEE SCHEME.
THEIR REQUEST FOR A PERSON TO
PAY AN UPFRONT FEE TO THE CALLER
TO RECEIVE SOMETHING OF VALUE,
LIKE A LOTTERY WINNING,
OR INVESTMENT EARNINGS,
OR LUXURY VACATIONS.
I'M SURE, AGAIN,
OUR CALLERS HAVE RECEIVED CALLS
WHERE THEY'VE WON A CRUISE.
YOU KNOW, I'VE WON SEVERAL
CRUISES LATELY.
SO IF SOMEONE IS ASKING YOU TO
WIRE THEM MONEY BEFORE YOU CAN
RECEIVE A PRIZE LIKE THIS,
DON'T DO IT.
THAT'S A PRETTY GOOD INDICATION
THAT IT'S A SCAM OR A SCHEME.
THE OLD ADAGE IS TRUE:
IF IT SOUNDS TOO GOOD
TO BE TRUE, IT USUALLY IS.
>> YEAH.
>> AND LASTLY,
THERE ARE PHISHING SCHEMES,
WHICH CAN ALSO TAKE MANY FORMS
-- EMAILS, PHONE CALLS,
TEXT MESSAGES -- WHERE THE
PERSON ON THE OTHER END IS
TRYING TO TRICK SOMEONE
INTO PROVIDING THEIR
PERSONAL INFORMATION,
OR THEIR FINANCIAL INFORMATION,
THEIR SSN,
THEIR BANK ACCOUNT NUMBERS.
SO BE ON THE LOOKOUT IF
SOMEONE REQUESTS THAT TYPE
OF INFORMATION FROM YOU.
THE BIGGEST PIECE OF ADVICE
I CAN GIVE IS DON'T SHARE
ANY INFORMATION WITH ANYONE
IF YOU ARE UNSURE OF WHO
IS ON THE OTHER END OF
THAT CALL OR THAT EMAIL.
>> OKAY.
AND HOW CAN PEOPLE PROTECT
THEMSELVES AND THEIR
PERSONAL INFORMATION?
>> SO ONE OF THE BIGGEST THINGS
TO REMEMBER IS JUST TO KNOW THAT
THOSE SCHEMES ARE OUT THERE.
AGAIN, LIKE I SAID,
IF IT SOUNDS TOO GOOD TO
BE TRUE, IT PROBABLY IS.
A FEW QUICK TIPS: NEVER PROVIDE
YOUR PERSONAL INFORMATION
TO SOMEONE WHO CALLS YOU OR
EMAILS YOU UNSOLICITED BY YOU.
NEVER AGREE TO ACCEPT PREPAID
DEBIT OR CREDIT CARDS FROM
SOMEONE YOU DON'T KNOW.
NEVER AGREE TO SEND OR WIRE
MONEY TO SOMEONE YOU DON'T KNOW.
AND ANY CALLER OR EMAIL THAT
CREATES A SENSE OF URGENCY
IS USUALLY NOT LEGITIMATE.
AND LASTLY, SECURE YOUR
PERSONAL INFORMATION.
KEEP YOUR SOCIAL SECURITY
CARD LOCKED UP AND SEPARATE.
SHRED DOCUMENTS WITH YOUR
PERSONAL AND FINANCIAL
INFORMATION ON THEM.
DELETE SUSPICIOUS EMAILS.
USE STRONG PASSWORDS FOR
ALL OF YOUR ONLINE ACCOUNTS.
AND REGULARLY CHECK YOUR
CREDIT REPORTS FOR ANY
SUSPICIOUS ACTIVITY.
>> WOW, THOSE ARE
REALLY GOOD TIPS.
THANK YOU.
AND WHERE CAN PEOPLE REPORT
SCAMS AND IDENTITY THEFT?
>> SO IF THE COMMUNICATION
INVOLVES SSA PROGRAMS
OR OPERATIONS,
YOU CAN REPORT THE FRAUD
TO OUR SOCIAL SECURITY FRAUD
HOTLINE AT OIG.SSA.GOV/REPORT.
THERE ARE ALSO MANY IRS
IMPERSONATION SCHEMES
THAT I TALKED ABOUT.
SO FOR THOSE,
YOU SHOULD REPORT THOSE
TO TREASURY OIG FOR
TAX ADMINISTRATION.
AND LASTLY, THE FEDERAL TRADE
COMMISSION HAS MANY RESOURCES
ON THEIR WEBSITE TO HELP
PEOPLE REPORT AND RECOVER
FROM IDENTITY THEFT.
>> OKAY, THANK YOU.
SO IF YOU'RE JUST TUNING IN,
WE'RE HERE WITH JENNIFER WALKER
OF THE OFFICE OF INSPECTOR
GENERAL WHO IS TALKING
WITH US ABOUT ELDER ABUSE,
AND HOW THE OFFICE OF INSPECTOR
GENERAL CAN HELP US PREVENT IT.
SO, BEFORE WE GO TO
LIVE QUESTIONS,
CAN YOU REPEAT FOR US ONE
MORE TIME WHAT SHOULD SOMEONE
DO IF THEY SUSPECT FRAUD,
EXPLOITATION, OR ELDER ABUSE,
AND WHERE SHOULD THEY REPORT IT?
>> YES.
SO IF THERE IS A SOCIAL
SECURITY ASPECT TO THE
CASE OR THE ALLEGATION,
THE REPORT SHOULD
COME TO THE OIG,
THROUGH OUR WEBSITE AT
OIG.SSA.GOV/REPORT.
FOR OTHER CASES OF
SUSPECTED ELDER ABUSE,
THE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE
SUGGESTS THAT IN AN EMERGENCY,
CONTACT 911.
IF IT'S NOT AN
IMMEDIATE EMERGENCY,
CONTACT YOUR LOCAL
LAW ENFORCEMENT.
YOU CAN ALSO REPORT
SUSPECTED ELDER ABUSE
TO THE NATIONAL ADULT
PROTECTIVE SERVICES ASSOCIATION,
AND THEY HAVE A LOT OF
USEFUL INFORMATION ON
THEIR WEBSITE AS WELL.
AND THEN DOJ ALSO HAS ADDITIONAL
INFORMATION FOR REPORTING
FINANCIAL EXPLOITATION AND
SECURING VICTIM ASSISTANCE
IN YOUR LOCAL AREA.
THAT WOULD BE ON
THE DOJ WEBSITE.
>> OKAY.
AND IF A PERSON REPORTS FRAUD,
WHAT WILL OIG DO
WITH THE REPORT?
WILL IT BE CONFIDENTIAL AND DOES
THE PERSON REMAIN ANONYMOUS?
>> YES, SO WE CAREFULLY
REVIEW EACH AND EVERY
ALLEGATION WE RECEIVE.
ONCE WE REVIEW THE ALLEGATION,
WE DETERMINE WHAT ACTION
SHOULD BE TAKEN.
THAT COULD INCLUDE
OPENING AN INVESTIGATION,
REFERRING THE INFORMATION TO
ANOTHER LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCY,
OR REFERRING IT TO SSA FOR
ADMINISTRATIVE DEVELOPMENT.
HOWEVER, PRIVACY LAWS AND
LAW ENFORCEMENT CONCERNS
PROHIBIT US FROM DISCLOSING
WHAT WE DO WITH AN ALLEGATION,
EVEN TO THE PERSON
WHO REPORTS IT.
BUT MOST IMPORTANTLY,
WE DO GIVE PEOPLE THE OPTION
TO REMAIN ANONYMOUS WHEN THEY
SUBMIT AN ALLEGATION OF FRAUD,
AND WE TAKE THAT RESPONSIBILITY
VERY SERIOUSLY.
>> OKAY, THANK YOU.
SO I THINK WE HAVE
A LIVE QUESTION.
OKAY.
SO IF YOU WANT TO REPORT FRAUD,
WHAT INFORMATION MUST I PROVIDE?
>> SO OUR INVESTIGATIONS ARE
MOST SUCCESSFUL WHEN WE GET AS
MUCH INFORMATION AS THE PERSON
REPORTING THE FRAUD HAS -- THE
WHO, WHAT, WHEN, WHERE, HOW.
THE MORE SPECIFIC
INFORMATION WE CAN GET,
THE BETTER WE'RE ABLE TO
DEVELOP THAT ALLEGATION
AND INVESTIGATE IT.
>> OKAY, THANK YOU.
AND I THINK I HAVE ANOTHER ONE.
WHAT TYPE OF IMPACT DOES
THE OIG'S INVESTIGATIVE
WORK HAVE ON SSA?
>> SO LAST YEAR,
LIKE I SAID EARLIER,
WE RECEIVED ABOUT
150,000 ALLEGATIONS,
WHICH WE REVIEW EACH
AND EVERY ONE OF THEM.
LAST YEAR OUR INVESTIGATIONS
LED TO ABOUT 900
CRIMINAL CONVICTIONS.
ABOUT $138 MILLION IN
MONEY RETURNED TO SSA AND
ABOUT $228 MILLION IN
PROJECTED SAVINGS TO SSA.
>> OH, WOW.
AND FOR ANYONE WHO
MIGHT NOT KNOW,
HOW AND WHEN WAS THE
OIG ESTABLISHED?
>> SO THAT WAS VERY INTERESTING.
THE OIG'S WERE ESTABLISHED
IN THE 1970'S IN THE WAKE
OF THE WATERGATE SCANDAL,
BELIEVE IT OR NOT.
IN 1978,
THE INSPECTOR GENERAL ACT WAS
ENACTED TO ENSURE THE INTEGRITY
OF EXECUTIVE BRANCH EMPLOYEES.
CURRENTLY, THERE ARE ABOUT
73 INSPECTORS GENERAL.
ALMOST EVERY GOVERNMENT AGENCY
HAS AN INSPECTOR GENERAL.
>> OH, VERY INTERESTING.
AND I THINK MY NEIGHBOR
IS COMMITTING SOCIAL
SECURITY FRAUD.
WHAT SHOULD I DO?
>> SO I WOULD SAY THE FIRST
THING TO DO IS TO CONTACT
OUR FRAUD HOTLINE.
AGAIN, LIKE I SAID,
GIVE US AS MUCH INFORMATION AS
YOU POSSIBLY CAN ABOUT THE
NEIGHBOR, THE PARTICULARS,
WHERE THEY LIVE,
WHAT'S THEIR NAME,
WHAT YOU THINK THEIR
DISABILITY IS.
THE MORE INFORMATION WE HAVE,
THE BETTER ABLE WE ARE TO
ASSESS THAT ALLEGATION AND
INVESTIGATE IT, IF PROBABLE.
NOW, I WILL SAY THAT THERE
ARE TIMES WHEN PEOPLE
ARE RECEIVING BENEFITS,
DISABILITY BENEFITS,
AND THEY ARE STILL ABLE TO
DO SOME ACTIVITIES LIKE
CUTTING THEIR GRASS.
>> OKAY, INTERESTING.
I HAVE A COUPLE MORE.
HOW DO YOU RECEIVE
THESE ALLEGATIONS?
>> SO WE RECEIVE ALLEGATIONS
IN VARIOUS WAYS.
WE RECEIVE ALLEGATIONS
FROM SSA AND DDS EMPLOYEES,
FROM PRIVATE CITIZENS,
FROM CONGRESS.
WE TAKE ALLEGATIONS IN SEVERAL
WAYS TOO: THROUGH OUR ONLINE
FORUM, BY PHONE, FAX, MAIL.
AND ALL OF OUR CONTACT
INFORMATION IS AVAILABLE
AT OIG.SSA.GOV/REPORT.
>> OKAY, THANK YOU.
ANOTHER ONE.
HOW MUCH SOCIAL SECURITY
FRAUD IS OUT THERE?
>> SO THAT IS A REALLY,
REALLY GOOD QUESTION.
>> IT IS A GOOD QUESTION.
>> AND IT'S A DIFFICULT
QUESTION,
BECAUSE IT'S HARD TO PUT A
NUMBER OR A STATISTIC ON
A QUESTION LIKE THAT.
WE ONLY KNOW WHAT COMES INTO US.
WE ONLY KNOW THE FRAUD
THAT IS REPORTED TO US.
WE CLOSELY REVIEW EVERY
ALLEGATION,
AND WE INVESTIGATE EVERY
ALLEGATION THAT WE HAVE THE
RESOURCES TO INVESTIGATE.
>> OKAY, THANK YOU.
OKAY, SO I DON'T THINK WE
HAVE ANY OTHER QUESTIONS.
OKAY, SO IT LOOKS LIKE
WE HAVE RUN OUT OF TIME.
JENNIFER, WHERE CAN PEOPLE
GO TO GET MORE INFORMATION?
>> SO I WOULD SAY FOR ELDER
ABUSE ALLEGATIONS,
I WOULD POINT THEM TO
THE DOJ WEBSITE.
FOR ANY INFORMATION
ON SSA OR SSA FRAUD,
PLEASE GO TO OUR WEBSITE
AT OIG.SSA.GOV.
>> OKAY, THANK YOU.
THIS HAS BEEN VERY
VALUABLE INFORMATION.
SO THANK YOU AGAIN,
AND THANK YOU FOR SHARING THIS
INFORMATION WITH EVERYONE.
ELDER ABUSE IS A SERIOUS
PROBLEM THAT CANNOT BE IGNORED.
SOME PEOPLE MAY NOT KNOW
WHAT TO DO WHEN THEY SEE
FRAUD AND ELDER ABUSE.
NOW YOU'VE EQUIPPED
US WITH THE TOOLS.
WE NEED TO TAKE ACTION AND
REPORT ABUSE WHEN WE SEE IT.
SO THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU FOR
HAVING ME TONIGHT,
AND I WAS HAPPY TO
SHARE INFORMATION TO
PROTECT OUR SENIORS,
WHICH CAN BE OUR MOST
VULNERABLE CITIZENS.
>> YES, OKAY.
SO, THANK YOU SO MUCH
AGAIN FOR JOINING US.
PLEASE TUNE IN TOMORROW
NIGHT AT 7:00 P.M. EASTERN
TIME FOR OUR NEXT EPISODE
OF SOCIAL SECURITY LIVE.
CHIEF ACTUARY STEVE GOSS WILL
BE JOINING US TO TALK ABOUT
THE FUTURE OF SOCIAL SECURITY,
SO YOU WON'T WANT TO MISS IT.
CHECK US OUT ON SOCIAL MEDIA AND
SIGN UP FOR OUR SOCIAL SECURITY
MATTERS BLOG AT BLOG.SSA.GOV.
THIS BROADCAST WILL ALSO
BE CLOSED CAPTIONED AND
MADE AVAILABLE ON OUR
YOUTUBE CHANNEL.
WE'LL SEE YOU NEXT TIME.
>> THE OIG SOCIAL SECURITY FRAUD
HOTLINE RECEIVES THOUSANDS
OF SOCIAL SECURITY FRAUD
ALLEGATIONS EVERY YEAR.
OUR TRAINED PROGRAM SPECIALISTS
CAREFULLY REVIEW AND PROCESS
THESE REFERRALS AND FORWARD
THEM TO OUR INVESTIGATORS
ACROSS THE COUNTRY.
>> THE MOST COMMON CASES WE
RECEIVE AT THE SSA FRAUD HOTLINE
IS FALSIFYING INFORMATION THAT
MIGHT AFFECT ONE'S ELIGIBILITY
FOR SOCIAL SECURITY BENEFITS;
CONCEALING THE DEATH OF A
SOCIAL SECURITY BENEFICIARY;
AND MISUSING SOMEONE ELSE'S
SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER FOR
ONE'S OWN PERSONAL GAIN.
>> THE DEPTH AND DETAIL OF
INFORMATION YOU PROVIDE IS
CRITICAL TO DEVELOPING A
SOLID ALLEGATION THAT WE CAN
TURN OVER TO OUR FEDERAL
INVESTIGATORS FOR REVIEW.
>> THE MORE INFORMATION YOU
PROVIDE WHEN CONTACTING
THE FRAUD HOTLINE,
THE GREATER THE PROBABILITY
INVESTIGATORS WILL HAVE
SUFFICIENT INFORMATION TO
PURSUE THE ALLEGATION.
>> YOU MAY REMAIN ANONYMOUS
WHEN SUBMITTING AN ALLEGATION.
HOWEVER, PLEASE NOTE THAT
IF WE DON'T KNOW WHO YOU
ARE OR HOW TO CONTACT YOU,
WE MAY NOT BE ABLE TO
COMPLETE AN INVESTIGATION.
YOU CAN ALSO REQUEST
CONFIDENTIALITY WHEN YOU SUBMIT
AN ALLEGATION TO US IF YOU
BELIEVE THAT THE DISCLOSURE
OF YOUR IDENTITY WILL
CAUSE PROBLEMS FOR YOU
OR PLACE YOU IN DANGER.
IF YOU REQUEST CONFIDENTIALITY,
WE WILL PROTECT YOUR
IDENTITY TO THE MAXIMUM
EXTENT ALLOWED BY LAW.
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