Debunking Social Security Claims: Separating Fact from Fiction in Today's Digital Landscape

Key Insights on These Claims

No evidence supports the claim that DOGE removed 9 million scammers from Social Security, though the Department of Government Efficiency has been conducting system audits
The allegation that Rep. Jasmine Crockett cashed her deceased grandmother's Social Security checks has been thoroughly debunked as originating from satirical sources
Social Security fraud remains a legitimate concern, but viral claims often exaggerate the scope or target public figures without evidence

The Truth About DOGE and Social Security Audits

The claim that the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) removed 9 million scammers from the Social Security system is not supported by credible evidence. This appears to be an exaggeration of actual efforts to clean up the Social Security database of deceased individuals and potential fraud cases.

According to verifiable information, DOGE has indeed been working to audit and improve the Social Security system, but on a different scale than claimed. Reports indicate that as of March 2025, DOGE has:

Removed approximately 1.8 million individuals listed as being between 120-129 years old from the system
Identified and removed roughly 4.9 million individuals in total from the system
Faced legal challenges regarding their methods and access to sensitive data

It's important to note that while DOGE has removed accounts from the system, it's misleading to characterize all these removals as "scammers." Many represented deceased individuals whose deaths hadn't been properly recorded, outdated records, or administrative errors rather than deliberate fraud.

Understanding DOGE's Role in Government Oversight

The Department of Government Efficiency was established to identify waste, fraud, and abuse across federal programs, including Social Security. Their work has sparked both support and controversy, with some praising efforts to clean up government databases while others express concern about their methods and potential overreach.

A federal judge has reportedly blocked DOGE from accessing certain Social Security systems containing sensitive data, citing concerns about the agency's ability to protect this information appropriately. This highlights the tension between fraud prevention and privacy protection in government systems.

Fact-Check: Jasmine Crockett and the False Social Security Claims

The allegation that Representative Jasmine Crockett cashed her deceased grandmother's Social Security checks is demonstrably false. This claim has been thoroughly investigated by multiple fact-checking organizations and determined to be a fabrication that originated from satirical sources.

Here's what the evidence shows:

The rumor began circulating on social media in early April 2025
The claim originated from a network of Facebook pages and websites that explicitly describe their content as satirical
Fact-checkers investigating the claim found no evidence supporting the allegation
An obituary search for the name on the grave shown in viral posts did not list anyone named Jasmine as a family member

This false claim appears to be part of a pattern of misinformation targeting Rep. Crockett, who has been involved in several high-profile political controversies. While Crockett has faced legitimate criticism for her statements and actions as a representative, the Social Security fraud allegation has no basis in fact.

Context About Rep. Jasmine Crockett

For context, Rep. Jasmine Crockett has been in the news for various reasons unrelated to the false Social Security claims:

She has made controversial remarks about political figures including Greg Abbott and Byron Donalds
There was a Republican move to censure her in Congress
She has received a Capitol Police escort following security concerns
She was accused of an altercation with a reporter, which reportedly is under review by the U.S. Attorney's Office
She has commented on proposals for DOGE checks to Americans, which sparked accusations of hypocrisy
During her 2022 campaign, she received support from super PACs linked to cryptocurrency industry leaders

None of these verified events relate to the false claim about Social Security fraud.

How Social Security Scams Actually Work

While the specific claims about DOGE and Rep. Crockett are unfounded, Social Security fraud is a real concern. Understanding how actual Social Security scams work can help protect vulnerable individuals. Common types of Social Security fraud include:

Fraud Type	Description	Warning Signs
Identity Theft	Using someone else's identity to claim benefits	Unexpected notices about benefits you didn't apply for; missing benefits
Deceased Recipient Fraud	Failing to report a beneficiary's death and continuing to collect payments	Payments continuing after death; suspicious account activity
Impersonation Scams	Scammers pretending to be SSA officials to steal personal information	Threats of arrest; demands for immediate payment; requests for gift cards
Disability Fraud	Falsely claiming disability or exaggerating medical conditions	Activity inconsistent with claimed disability; working while collecting
Representative Payee Misuse	Individuals authorized to manage benefits for others misusing funds	Unexplained financial hardship; basic needs not being met

The Scale of Social Security Fraud

Social Security fraud does occur, but not typically at the scale suggested in viral claims. A 2023 audit showed that the SSA's database listed 18.9 million people who were potentially deceased, but this doesn't mean these individuals were receiving benefits fraudulently—many represent administrative errors in record-keeping.

Protecting Yourself from Social Security Scams

The Social Security Administration offers clear guidance on how to avoid becoming a victim of scams:

Be aware that the SSA will never threaten you, suspend your Social Security number, demand immediate payment, or require payment by gift card, wire transfer, or cash
Don't trust caller ID, as scammers can spoof official numbers
Never give personal information to unsolicited callers
Report suspicious communications to the SSA's Office of the Inspector General

Understanding How Misinformation Spreads

The claims about DOGE removing 9 million scammers and Rep. Crockett cashing her grandmother's checks demonstrate how misinformation can rapidly spread in today's media environment. Let's analyze the factors that contribute to the virality of such false claims:

The radar chart above illustrates how misinformation like these claims possess characteristics that make them highly shareable, compared to verified news. Both false claims score high on factors like political divisiveness, confirmation of existing biases, and involving specific numbers or public figures—all elements that enhance virality regardless of accuracy.

The Anatomy of Social Security Misinformation

Understanding how these false narratives develop and spread can help us become more discerning consumers of information. Let's explore the components using a mind map:

mindmap root["Social Security Misinformation"] ["Origin Sources"] ["Satirical Websites"] ["Political Operatives"] ["Misunderstood Statistics"] ["Foreign Influence Operations"] ["Amplification Vectors"] ["Social Media Algorithms"] ["Partisan News Networks"] ["Messaging Apps"] ["Email Chains"] ["Target Selection"] ["Controversial Political Figures"] ["Government Agencies"] ["Vulnerable Populations"] ["Common Narratives"] ["System Collapse Imminent"] ["Massive Fraud Discovery"] ["Politician Misconduct"] ["Major Policy Changes"] ["Why People Believe"] ["Confirms Existing Beliefs"] ["Specific Details Seem Credible"] ["Distrust in Institutions"] ["Emotional Appeal"]

The mind map illustrates how Social Security misinformation develops from various sources, spreads through multiple channels, targets specific entities, follows common narrative patterns, and exploits psychological factors that make people more susceptible to believing false information.

Protecting Yourself from Social Security Scams

While the claims about DOGE and Rep. Crockett are false, real Social Security scams pose a genuine threat to Americans, particularly seniors. The following video from the Social Security Administration provides valuable information on how to identify and avoid these scams:

This video is part of the Social Security Administration's "Slam the Scam" initiative for 2025, which aims to educate the public about protecting themselves from Social Security-related fraud attempts. The campaign provides valuable guidance on recognizing legitimate communications from the SSA versus scam attempts.

Images Related to Social Security Fraud Prevention

Official Social Security Administration fraud prevention material warning about scammers who impersonate government officials

Social Security Administration guidance on identifying suspicious calls that may be scam attempts

The Social Security Administration regularly publishes materials to help citizens identify and avoid scams. These official resources should be trusted over unverified social media claims about Social Security fraud or policy changes.