$1.3 Million Dollar Scam

      From WGAL:

A social security imposter scammed two Lancaster County residents out of $1.3 million, according to Pennsylvania State Police. 

Troopers said two 78-year-olds from Providence Township fell victim to a person who posed as a Social Security Administration employee.   

The unknown suspect told the victims that one of their Social Security numbers was compromised and they needed a new one, according to police. 

Investigators said the imposter gave the victims detailed instructions to liquidate their retirement assets, stealing a total of $1,328,652. 

The suspect used the money to purchase gold that was collected by unknown individuals as payment under the guise of purchasing a new Social Security number, according to police. …

Feel A Little Lonely At Christmas? It's OK.

 

Systems Problems

      I’ve heard that Social Security is having large scale systems problems today but have no details. Can anyone fill me in?

4th Circuit Opinion Of Interest

      Attorneys who represent Social Security disability claimants may find the recent decision of the 4th Circuit Court of Appeals in Hultz v. Bisignano dealing with fibromyalgia in particular and subjective symptoms in general of interest. It’s a reversal awarding benefits so you know it’s a strong opinion. You don’t see many of these at the District Court level much less Court of Appeals.

The State Of Customer Service

      The Social Security Administration has posted data showing the state of customer service at Social Security. I’m sure it’s as accurate and meaningful as the earnings projections made at Fiserv while Frank Bisignano was its CEO. Below is one of the charts from Social Security’s posting.

Click to view full-size

Merry Christmas

 

Living Rent Free In Bisignano’s Head

      Social Security Commissioner Frank Bisignano seems a little obsessed with his predecessor, Martin O’Malley.

New Requirement For Verification Of Immigration Status

      From Emergency Message EM 25067:

This Emergency Message (EM) provides instructions for processing Supplemental Security Income (SSI) claims involving noncitizen applicants and redeterminations involving noncitizen recipients. It clarifies that all noncitizen applicants must have their immigration status verified through the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements (SAVE) program, regardless of the type or appearance of the immigration document presented. Similarly, all noncitizen recipients must have their immigration status re-verified through SAVE when there has been a change in immigration status and during SSI redeterminations. …