Rep. Young Investigates Stolen Social Security Checks

More than 300 Social Security checks that should have gone to Tampa Bay residents earlier this month have been stolen, officials have confirmed.

"Apparently this is fairly widespread," said U.S. Rep. C.W. Bill Young, who has received calls from several distraught residents and personally called to report the matter to Social Security Commissioner Michael Astrue and Social Security Inspector General Patrick Carroll.  "It's hundreds and mainly in Pinellas County."

Young said he was told by investigators that the theft appeared to be an inside job carried out by one or two people, though he declined to divulge for which agencies the suspects work.

"They have a target," he said of the investigators. "They know who it is."

For potential victims of this fraud:

The SSA has established a special contact phone number at their South Florida Area Director’s Office for potential victims of this fraud.  Anyone who believes they have become a victim of this fraud and has not received their social security check should contact, 1-855-722-3506, and dial 0.  SSA representatives will assist the individual.

• Once a person has not received their payment/check after 3 days, the Social Security Administration (SSA) will invoke critical payment and immediate payment procedures.  In dire need situations, an immediate payment can be made the same day in the office.  Same day immediate payments have a limit of $999.00, the remainder will be paid via critical payment.   In non-dire need situations, SSA can replace the check using critical payment process and it take 3-5 days to receive the replacement check;
• The individual will need to come in person to one of the SSA offices and provide proof of identity.  SSA can accept only certain documents as proof of identity. An acceptable document must be current (not expired) and show your name, identifying information (date of birth or age) and preferably a recent photograph. For example, as proof of identity, we must see:

• U.S. driver’s license;
• State-issued non-driver identification card;
• U.S. passport; or
• DHS immigration documents.

If you do not have one of these specific documents or you cannot get a replacement for one of them within 10 days, SSA will ask to see other documents, including:

• Employee ID card;
• School ID card;
• Health insurance card (not a Medicare card); or
• U.S. military ID card.

http://www.tampabay.com/news/publicsafety/crime/article1255923.ece  

http://video.tbo.com/v/64658033/social-security-checks-stolen.htm