BASIC (05-16)

A. Introduction to anti-fraud language

To reduce fraud, the Social Security Administration (SSA) includes anti-fraud language in most SSA notices, all Office of Disability Adjudication and Review (ODAR) notices, and certain Disability Determination Services (DDS) notices. The anti-fraud language informs beneficiaries and other notice recipients about how to report suspected Social Security fraud. We do not include the anti-fraud language on certain notices that are already anti-fraud in nature.

B. When and where to include anti-fraud language in a notice

1. Include anti-fraud language in the majority of SSA notices. Place the language near the end of the notice, just before or after the standard referral paragraph.

   EXCEPTION: Do not include anti-fraud language in these types of notices:

   • Authentication notices associated with my Social Security accounts;

   • Confirmation notice for online change of address;

   • Direct deposit notice for agency-initiated fraud blocks; and

   • Title II only fraud suspense notice.

2. Include anti-fraud language in the following DDS notices. Place the language at the end of the notices.

   • Personalized decision notices for initial claims, reconsiderations, and continuing disability reviews, and

   • Introduction letters (sometimes called the “Howdy Letter”)

3. Include anti-fraud language in all ODAR notices. Place the language in the notice footer.

C. Samples of anti-fraud notice language

The anti-fraud language is in Universal Text Identifiers (UTI) CTDO, REFC01, and MIS117. The anti-fraud language is available in English and Spanish. Below are samples of the anti-fraud language in each UTI.

1. UTI CTDO

Most Aurora notices use CTDO. When preparing a manual or dictated notice in Aurora, it is always preferable to use CTDO for domestic cases, because it will generate the servicing FO address and telephone number in response to input of the notice recipient’s zip code. (See NL 00702.133.)

English:

Suspect Social Security Fraud?

Please visit http://oig.ssa.gov/r or call the Inspector
General's Fraud Hotline at 1-800-269-0271 (TTY 1-866-501-2101).

If You Have Questions

We invite you to visit our website at www.socialsecurity.gov on the Internet to find general information about Social Security. If you have any specific questions, you may call us toll-free at 1-800-772-1213, or call your local Social Security office at 1-*F3- *F4- *F5. We can answer most questions over the phone. If you are deaf or hard of hearing, you may call our TTY number, 1-800-325-0778. You can also write or visit any Social Security office. The office that serves your area is located at:

  *F6
  *F7
  *F8
  *F9 *F10- *F11

If you do call or visit an office, please have this letter with you. It will help us answer your questions. Also, if you plan to visit an office, you may call ahead to make an appointment. This will help us serve you more quickly when you arrive at the office. 

2. UTI REFC01

Most Document Processing System (DPS) notices use UTI REFC01. REFC01 contains both the anti-fraud notice language and a caption for a referral paragraph. An appropriate referral paragraph with general information about how to contact SSA should always follow REFC01 in a notice.

English:

Suspect Social Security Fraud?

Please visit http://oig.ssa.gov/r or call the Inspector General's Fraud Hotline at 1-800-269-0271 (TTY 1-866-501-2101).

If You Have Questions

Spanish:

Sospecha que alguien está cometiendo fraude al Seguro Social?

Infórmenos por medio de la Internet en http://oig.ssa.gov/e o llamando a la línea directa de abuso y fraude de la Oficina del Inspector General, 1-800-269-0271 y oprima el 7 para español (TTY 1-866-501-2101).

Si tiene preguntas

3. UTI MIS117

Use MIS117 for notices that do not contain CTDO or REFC01. When using MIS117, place it at the end of the notice.

English:

Suspect Social Security Fraud?

If you suspect Social Security fraud, please visit
http://oig.ssa.gov/r or call the Inspector General's Fraud
Hotline at 1-800-269-0271 (TTY 1-866-501-2101).

Spanish:

Sospecha que alguien está cometiendo fraude contra el Seguro Social?

Si sospecha de fraude contra el Seguro Social, por favor visite http://oig.ssa.gov/e o llame a la línea directa de abuso y fraude de la Oficina del Inspector General, 1-800-269-0271, y oprima el 7 para español (TTY 1-866-501-2101).