Social Security Begins Using New Anti-Fraud Tools Amid Confusion

The Social Security Administration (SSA) has begun implementing enhanced fraud prevention tools for claims filed over the phone, reversing earlier plans that limited phone claims due to identity proofing concerns. These new measures, effective April 14, involve analyzing patterns within accounts to detect potential fraud, requiring in-person verification only if irregularities are found. Acting SSA Commissioner Leland Dudek emphasized that these updates aim to improve both security and accessibility for applicants. Despite the agency's modernization efforts, there have been reports of increased wait times on their phone line, raising questions about the impact on service quality. Additionally, the SSA has invested $16.5 million to support these changes and has increased staffing to manage the expected demand. The implementation follows public feedback that highlighted the need for greater access to services via telephone.