Washington, D.C. — The Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) recently made headlines with a startling claim: that 40% of all calls to the Social Security Administration (SSA) were fraudulent. This figure alarmed policymakers and the public alike, leading to the swift implementation of enhanced anti-fraud measures aimed at protecting the public and safeguarding government resources.
However, a thorough audit and data analysis by the SSA’s Office of the Inspector General (OIG) has now revealed that the actual incidence of fraudulent calls is dramatically lower — less than 1%, and in fact closer to 0.0018%.
This revelation casts serious doubt on the validity of DOGE’s initial claims and has sparked debate over the consequences of implementing policies based on inaccurate data.
Understanding the Context: DOGE’s 40% Fraud Claim
The Department of Government Efficiency is tasked with reviewing government operations to improve efficiency and eliminate waste. In early 2025, DOGE issued a report suggesting that nearly 40% of incoming calls to SSA’s customer service centers were attempts at fraud or scams.
According to DOGE, this figure represented a critical threat to government resources and to the millions of Social Security beneficiaries relying on accurate and timely service.
In response to these findings, DOGE pushed for the immediate introduction of stricter call verification protocols. These included enhanced identity confirmation steps, additional security questions, and more frequent call monitoring.
The rationale was clear: to prevent scammers from exploiting SSA’s phone systems and to reduce the potential for fraudulent benefit payments.
The SSA Inspector General’s Audit Reveals a Different Story
Shortly after the implementation of DOGE’s measures, the SSA Office of the Inspector General undertook an independent audit to verify the accuracy of the fraud claims. The OIG analyzed a random sample of approximately 110,000 calls to SSA’s phone centers. Their findings were strikingly different from DOGE’s initial report.
The OIG identified only two calls in the entire sample that were suspicious enough to be considered potential fraud attempts. This amounted to a fraud rate of roughly 0.0018%, a fraction of what DOGE had claimed.
This massive discrepancy led experts and SSA officials to question the methodology and data sources used by DOGE. Possible explanations include data misinterpretation, inclusion of non-fraudulent calls in the fraudulent category, or technical issues with fraud detection algorithms that may have inflated the numbers.
Consequences of Implementing Measures Based on Inaccurate Data
The anti-fraud measures prompted by DOGE’s inflated statistics had significant operational consequences for the SSA. While protecting against fraud is a critical government function, the increased verification steps led to longer call processing times and frustration among Social Security beneficiaries.
SSA officials reported that processing times for customer calls increased by approximately 25% after the new protocols were implemented. For many beneficiaries—especially elderly or disabled individuals who rely on Social Security payments as their primary source of income—these delays had real impacts.
Some reported difficulty getting through to representatives, longer wait times on hold, and more complex verification requirements that were confusing or difficult to complete.
These inefficiencies strained SSA resources and staff, compounding the frustration. Meanwhile, the intended target—fraudulent callers—were found to be a negligible portion of overall call volume.
SSA’s Response and Plans to Revise Anti-Fraud Measures
In light of the OIG audit findings and the growing public criticism, the SSA has announced plans to reexamine the anti-fraud protocols imposed by DOGE. Agency leadership emphasized the need for balance between effective fraud prevention and the provision of efficient, accessible service to beneficiaries.
SSA Deputy Commissioner for Operations, Sandra Holmes, said, “Our priority is to ensure the safety and security of Social Security services, but we also must ensure that our procedures do not create unnecessary barriers for the millions of Americans we serve daily.”
The SSA is working on ways to streamline caller verification processes without compromising security. This may include the integration of improved technology to better detect actual fraudulent calls and reducing the burden on legitimate callers.
Importance of Accurate Data in Policy Making
This episode highlights the vital role that accurate, data-driven analysis plays in government decision-making. Policymakers and oversight bodies depend on reliable data to craft effective and appropriate regulations. When data is misinterpreted or flawed, the resulting policies can lead to unintended consequences that hurt the very people they intend to protect.
Experts warn that overestimating fraud risks can divert resources from other important priorities, undermine public trust in government agencies, and reduce overall service quality.
Dr. Evelyn Tran, a public policy analyst, commented, “This case is a cautionary tale about the risks of rushing to implement policies based on incomplete or inaccurate data. Rigorous audits and transparency must be central to any government reform effort.”
Continued Commitment to Fraud Prevention
Despite the much lower-than-claimed fraud rates, the SSA remains committed to protecting its programs from abuse. Social Security fraud does occur, but on a smaller scale than DOGE’s initial report suggested.
The agency encourages the public to stay vigilant against scams and provides resources to help individuals identify and report suspicious activity. Common Social Security scams involve calls or emails falsely claiming to be SSA officials requesting personal information or payments.
For guidance on how to recognize and avoid Social Security scams, visit the SSA’s official resource page: Protect Yourself from Social Security Scams.
Conclusion
The discrepancy between DOGE’s claim that 40% of SSA calls were fraudulent and the SSA OIG’s finding of less than 1% underscores the challenges of accurately assessing fraud risk in large government programs.
While protecting public funds from fraud is essential, policies must be based on sound data to avoid harming service quality and public trust.
Moving forward, the SSA plans to adjust its anti-fraud measures, prioritizing efficiency alongside security, and reinforcing its commitment to transparency and accountability.
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