HACKED: Over $6 Million in Social Security Benefits Stolen From Bank Accounts

Identity thieves stole over $6 million in Social Security benefits by hacking the government’s online direct deposit program, an agency watchdog reported.

The Social Security Administration’s inspector general released an audit finding the agency’s “my Social Security” program has put roughly $11 million in benefits into the wrong bank accounts.

My Social Security was created in 2012 and allows beneficiaries to set up direct deposit accounts for their retirement and disability payments. Identity thieves soon began abusing the system.

“In January 2013, the Agency enhanced my Social Security to allow individuals to change their direct deposit bank information,” the inspector general said. “Shortly after SSA made this change, the Agency and the Office of the Inspector General began receiving fraud allegations related to unauthorized direct deposit changes.”

P/C PIXABAY