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Tag:
Social Security Administration
Bel Air, MD
News
Husband, Wife Bilk Elderly Maryland Woman Out Of $1M During 'Complex ID, Fraud Scheme:' Sheriff
An elderly woman was robbed of more than $1 million after being targeted as part of "a complex identity theft and fraud scheme," according to the Harford County Sheriff's Office. Devalkumar Harshadkumar Vyas and wife Mamata D. Vyas - who were arrested for a similar scheme in New York last month - preyed on a 73-year-old woman who was convinced to make bitcoin and gold purchases that they then took over the course of a five-week period. In June, investigators say that the woman received an unsolicited email from erickressman@tuta.io, purportedly from Eric Kressman of the Office of the I…
Marlton-Evesham, NJ
Police & Fire
Update
: NJ Man, 72, Admits Posing As Dead Guy To Collect Social Security, Medicaid For 14 Years
A 72-year-old South Jersey resident admitted that he assumed a dead man's identity to collect more than $200,000 in Social Security payments and Medicaid benefits for 14 years. Dennis Gaudette of Franklinville was 57 years old when U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger said he began the long-running con in March 2009. It continued until he was caught last year, the U.S. attorney said. Gaudette collected $43,464 in Social Security Retirement Income Benefits and $85,332.50 in Supplemental Security that he wasn't entitled to, Sellinger said. During the same time period, the state of Ne…
Newark, NJ
Police & Fire
NJ Woman, 77, Embezzles $1M In Benefits Intended For Aunt Who Died In 1998: Indictment
𝗨𝗣𝗗𝗔𝗧𝗘: A New Jersey woman was indicted by a federal grand jury for stealing more than $1 million of benefits meant for an aunt who died 25 years ago, authorities said. Janis Miller, 77, of South Orange even went as far as trying to impersonate her aunt in a phone conversation with a Social Security worker, according to the indictment returned in U.S. District Court in Newark. However, she couldn’t come up with her aunt’s exact birthdate – just an approximation, U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger said. Unaware of Miller’s aunt’s death in 1998, the federal Social Security Administration…
Massapequa, NY
News
Long Island Woman Scams Nearly $50K From SSA Using Late Grandmother's Pen Name: DA
A woman from Long Island used her dead grandmother’s pen name to collect Social Security benefits for years, authorities claimed. Freeport resident Alexandria Sobrane, age 46, was arraigned on Tuesday, March 18 for her alleged Social Security fraud, the Nassau County District Attorney announced. According to the DA’s Office, Sobrane’s grandmother, Hannah Sobrane, was born in 1920 and wrote children’s books under the pen name Babe Power. Starting in 1985, she retired and began receiving her Social Security benefits under the nom de plume she used for writing. However, in 2008, when the …
Paramus, NJ
News
Meet The Leaplings: Introducing New Jersey's Leap Year Babies
New Jersey welcomed several new Garden Staters on Thursday, Feb. 29, 2024 — and they won't celebrate their first birthdays for another four years. At 12:10 a.m., Angelica Prieto, welcomed her son Simon Prieto at Hackensack Meridian Hackensack University Medical Center in Hackensack — the first Leap Day baby born across the HMH network. Simon weighs 7 pounds 2 ounces, and is 21 inches long. Angelica Prieto, welcomed her son Simon Prieto today at Hackensack Meridian Hackensack University Medical Center at 12:10 a.m. Hackensack Meridian Health Baby boy Oliver Grayson Corrado was born …
Bethlehem, PA
Police & Fire
PA Man Gets Prison Time For Concealing Dad's Death To Collect Social Security
A Monroe County man was sentenced to five years in federal prison this week for covering up his father's death and continuing to cash his checks, according to the US Attorney's Office. Timothy Gritman, 56, of Brodheadsville, pleaded guilty to Social Security and wire fraud in a federal court exactly one year ago, Feb. 14, 2023, Daily Voice reported. This year on Valentine's Day, Gritman was sentenced to five years plus three more of supervised release, prosecutors said in a release. Authorities have said Gritman's father Ralph was 79 and "in poor health" when he was l…
Newark, NJ
Police & Fire
Feds: NJ Woman, 77, Embezzles $1M In Benefits Intended For Aunt Who Died In 1998
For the past 25 years, a South Orange woman has fraudulently collected more than $1 million in federal benefits intended for her dead aunt, authorities charged. Janis Miller -- who is now 77 years old -- even went as far as trying to impersonate her aunt in a phone conversation with a Social Security worker, U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger said. However, she couldn’t come up with her aunt’s exact birthdate – just an approximation, he said. The embezzlement scheme came apart after that. Miller was brought before a federal judge in Newark on Thursday, Dec. 21, and was released on a $100,0…
Paterson, NJ
Police & Fire
Social Security Recipient's Death Not Reported, Bank Worker From Passaic Pockets $100,000: Feds
A Passaic man who worked at a bank in Nutley stole more than $100,000 worth of Social Security benefits from the government in the name of a deceased customer, federal authorities charged. The Social Security Administration wasn’t notified of the beneficiary’s death and continued depositing benefits at the commercial bank for more than four years, U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger said on Wednesday, Dec. 13. Bank employee Jorge Nova, 35, issued debit cards to himself in the beneficiary’s name that he used to drain the account, Sellinger said. Nova also “registered new accounts with a money…
Egg Harbor Township, NJ
Police & Fire
Phone Scammer From Atlantic City Who Preyed On Recently Widowed Seniors Pleads Out: US Attorney
A heartless public housing tenant from Atlantic City admitted that she scammed elderly victims out of more than $100,000 by claiming that they owed money on life insurance policies bought by a spouse who’d just recently died. Victoria Crosby, 46, was receiving Social Security and Medicaid benefits when she targeted the victims, all of whom were over 70 years old, U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger said. Crosby called the seniors on a burner phone and, using phony names, claimed to be an employee of a retirement benefit office in some instances and a life insurance company in others, the U.S.…
Massapequa, NY
News
$200K Fraud: 2 Long Island Residents Claimed Retirement, Disability, DA Says
Together, two Long Island residents allegedly defrauded the Social Security Administration out of hundreds of thousands of dollars in benefits by not disclosing income or the death of a relative, authorities said. On Monday, Oct. 2, Uniondale resident Markus Effinger and Valley Stream resident Gloria Sevilla were arraigned in two separate cases regarding alleged Social Security fraud, the Nassau County District Attorney announced. Effinger, age 55, first began collecting disability benefits for his reported vision issues (including “retinal detachment”) in May 2012. In 2014, 2015, and 20…
Elizabeth, NJ
Police & Fire
NJ Man Who Cashed Dead Brother's Social Security Checks For 16 Years Heads To Federal Prison
An Essex County man who collected $237,000 in Social Security benefits for a brother who’d actually been dead for 16 years is headed to federal prison. Silvano Chable, 54, of Irvington, applied for the benefits in 2000 on behalf of his brother, who’d been paralyzed in a car crash, U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger said. His brother collected checks for 10 months before dying in May 21, 2001, the U.S. attorney said. Rather than notify the Social Security Administration, Chable continued collecting – and cashing – the monthly benefit checks until late 2017, Sellinger said. Chable took a ple…
Armonk, NY
Police & Fire
Social Security Phone Scams On Rise In North Castle: Here's How To Tell
Police in Northern Westchester are warning residents of a scam involving criminals posing as Social Security Administration officials and asking for personal information, which they say is becoming more common. The warning came on Thursday, Aug. 10 from the North Castle Police Department, which said that there has been an uptick in unsolicited calls from people claiming to be from the federal Social Security Administration. According to the department, victims contacted by scammers will be told that they are eligible for an increase in their Social Security checks. Howeve…
Brentwood, NY
News
Confession: LI Man Steals Dead Brother's Identity To Collect $160K In Disability While Working
A Long Island man is facing jail time after admitting that he stole his late brother’s identity in order to collect six figures worth of disability benefits while continuing to work. Stavros Tsakonis, age 61, of Shirley, pleaded guilty to identity theft and related charges in Suffolk County Court on Wednesday, July 26. Prosecutors said Tsakonis received more than $160,000 in disability benefits between February 2015 and January 2023 while claiming to the US Social Security Administration that he was too disabled to work. Earlier Report: Shirley Man Stole Dead Brother's ID To Collect …
Jersey City, NJ
Police & Fire
Guttenberg Woman Received $20,000 In Improper Benefits: Prosecutors
A 59-year-old Guttenberg was arrested and charged on Wednesday, July 12 for receiving $20,000 in improper benefits from multiple agencies, authorities said. Ammerlene Demetroudis failed to report income she received as a health home aide, allowing her to get benefits from Social Security Administration, the Medicaid Benefit Program, the Department of Community Affairs Rental Assistance Program, and NJ FamilyCare between June 2020 and Nov. 2022, Hudson County Prosecutor Esther Suarez said. Demetroudis was charged with theft by deception in the third degree and was released on a sum…
North Hunterdon, NJ
Business
NJ COVID Scammer Who Pocketed $1.8M In Taxpayer-Funded Rescue Loans Gets Three Years In Fed Pen
UPDATE: A North Jersey businessman who collected $1.8 million in COVID-19 pandemic loans that he wasn't entitled to, then diverted the money into accounts held by family members -- including his young children -- was sentenced to three years in federal prison on Wednesday. Rocco A. Malanga, 39, formerly of Hackettstown, must serve out the entire plea-bargained sentence approved by a U.S. District Court judge in Newark on March 22 because there’s no parole in the federal prison system. Malanga lied on documents to three different lenders to secure federal Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) mo…
White Plains, NY
Police & Fire
Don't Be Fooled: Westchester County Police Warn Against Fake Phone Call Scam
The Westchester County Police Department is warning of fake phone calls involving scammers posing as officers with the department. The fake calls come from scammers claiming to be a lieutenant with Westchester County Police who suggest that the victim may be in violation of "a new 'federal DNA mandate,'" according to police. The caller will then tell the victim that a warrant has been issued for their arrest but that they can clear the warrant by buying five "MoneyPaks," or prepaid debit cards, from a local store and depositing $500 on each card, police said. Then, t…
Massapequa, NY
Lifestyle
Here's When Social Security Recipients Will See Largest Bump In Benefits In 40 Years
Social Security beneficiaries are about to see their largest increase in benefits in four decades. Starting in 2023, recipients of Social Security benefits and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) payments will see their benefits go up by 8.7 percent, according to the Social Security Administration. Approximately 70 million Americans will benefit from the bump, the agency said, with an average increase of more than $140 per month expected. The increase will follow the agency’s annual cost-of-living adjustment (COLA), which is required by federal law and based on the Department of Labor’s C…
Mechanicsville, MD
News
Maryland Woman To Spend Years In Prison For Stealing $1M In Disability Benefits: DOJ
Federal officials announced that a Southern Maryland woman will spend more than two years in prison for stealing more than $1 million in disability cash from the US Department of Veterans Affairs. Lexington Park resident Angela Marie Farr, 36, was sentenced to 30 months in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release after admitting to her role in a scheme to fraudulently obtain disability benefits from the VA and Social Security Administration. Additionally, a judge ordered Farr to pay nearly $1.5 million in fines and restitution for the government’s losses. According to …
Brentwood, NY
News
Bodybuilder Admits To Getting $200K In Disability Pay While Training For Events, NY AG Says
A bodybuilder from New York who fraudulently collected disability benefits was busted after he was caught lifting weights on his wife’s Instagram account. Anthony Ragusa, age 52, formerly of Long Island, admitted to illegally collecting more than $200,000 in benefits from the Social Security Administration, according to New York Attorney General Letitia James. He pleaded guilty in Suffolk County Court Tuesday, June 14, to one count of second-degree grand larceny, a felony. Ragusa first applied for disability benefits in 2013 after claiming that a fall at work had left him so injured he co…
Gaithersburg, MD
News
These Schools & Businesses In Maryland Will Be Closed, Delayed Due To Snow
The snowy weather is causing delays and closures in Maryland. A winter weather advisory is in effect for most of the state until 1 p.m. which means its going to be a messy commute. Here is a list of delays complied by WTOP for Jan.20: Public Schools Frederick County Public Schools: 2 Hour Delay, will re-evaluate conditions in the morning Howard County Public Schools: All Howard County public elementary and middle schools, including the Digital Education Center, will open 2 hours late. All high schools will be closed for students. High school after school activities …
Highland Lakes-Vernon, NJ
News
Sussex Man Who Spent $5.6M COVID Relief Money On Stock Market, Luxury Car, More Sentenced
A Sussex County man was sentenced Tuesday to more than five years in federal prison for spending $5.6 million in federal COVID-19 pandemic business loans for himself, authorities said. Azhar Sarwar Rana, 31, of Newton will have to serve out just about all of the 64-month sentence because there's no parole in the federal prison system. The federal Paycheck Protection Program was designed to keep struggling small businesses afloat during the pandemic. Rana used the money, instead, to invest millions in the stock market, make a payment to a luxury car dealership and send hundreds of thous…
Teaneck, NJ
News
Teaneck Woman Assumes Dead Brother's ID To Get $20G In Social Security, Authorities Charge
A home health care worker from Teaneck assumed her dead brother’s identity to collect more than $20,000 in Social Security disability money, authorities charged. Wanda Lynn Sermon, 55, “failed to notify the Social Security Administration of her brother’s death and instead assumed control of his bank account,” Bergen County Prosecutor Mark Musella said Wednesday. For the next 16 months, Musella said, Sermon “continued to access Social Security disability benefit funds intended for [him],” pocketing $20,438 in the process. Detectives from his Financial Crimes Unit began investigating this su…
Worcester, MA
Police & Fire
Don't Fall For It: Police Issue Alert For Social Security Scam
Alarm bells are sounding for law enforcement agencies as a new Social Security scam continues making the rounds as opportunistic fraudsters look to exploit the elderly. An alert was issued by police agencies in New York after they received multiple reports of scammers impersonating Social Security Administration (SSA) employees over the phone requesting personal information or money. Police said that some of the imposters have made threats or demanded immediate payment to help their victims avoid arrest or potential legal action. Officials noted that SSA employees will never threaten anyon…
Bristol, PA
Police & Fire
Bucks Man Claiming To Be Navy SEAL Scams VA Out Of $300K
A Bucks County man was sentenced to three years and four months in prison for falsely identifying as a military hero in order to receive federal government benefits, authorities said. In July 2020, Richard Meleski, 58, pleaded guilty to one count of healthcare fraud, two counts of mail fraud, one count of stolen valor, and related charges, according to the U.S. Department of Justice. The Chalfont resident was accused of fraudulently claiming to have served as an elite Navy SEAL and falsely saying that he had been captured by the enemy in order to secure healthcare benefits from the Vet…
Pittsfield, MA
News
Massachusetts Woman Sentenced For Stealing Social Security Benefits
A Massachusetts woman has been sentenced in federal court in Worcester to stealing Social Security benefits from her dead mother-in-law. Former Worcester County resident Sue E. Delaney, age 68, who was a resident of Luneburg, was sentenced to six months of home confinement and two years of probation on Tuesday, Aug. 10, said the state US Attorney's Office. Delaney was also ordered to pay $221,656 in restitution to the Social Security Administration. Delaney pleaded guilty in April to one count of conspiracy and one count of theft of public funds. “Delaney purposefully failed to repo…
Ridgefield Park-Hasbrouck Heights, NJ
News
Prosecutor: Bergen Woman, 73, Created Bogus Identity To Scam $37,000 In Social Security Funds
A 73-year-old Bergen County woman created a false identity to fraudulently pocket $37,000 in federal benefits, authorities said Thursday. Yun J. Kim of Ridgefield Park produced a Social Security number, a U.S. passport and a non-driver ID to apply for an receive supplemental security benefits that she wasn’t entitled to, Bergen County Prosecutor Mark Musella said. Kim was charged with theft by deception and tampering with public records following an investigation by Musella’s detectives with assistance from the New York field offices of the Social Security Administration’s Office of the Ins…
Cherry Hill, NJ
News
Feds
: India-Based Phone Scammers Admit Conning Elderly NJ Victims Out Of $600,000
Two Indian nationals admitted Wednesday that they conned mostly elderly New Jersey victims out of $600,000 through a variety of phone scams, including posing as government officials and online support techs. Zeeshan Khan, 22, and Maaz Ahmed Shamsi, 24, operated India-based call centers that made robocalls to mostly elderly U.S. residents, Acting U.S. Attorney for New Jersey Rachael A. Honig said. Once contact was made, members of the international ring “would coerce or trick the victims into sending large sums of cash through physical shipments or wire transfers to other members of the cons…
Mount Pleasant, NY
Politics
Trump Holdover From Northern Westchester Fired By Biden Says He Won't Leave Government Post
A Westchester County resident who was serving as the Social Security commissioner after being appointed to the post by former President Donald Trump said he won't leave his post, despite being fired by President Joe Biden. The Washington Post reported that Andrew Saul, who had been working remotely from his home in Katonah, said he was blindsided by his firing. His term was set to end in 2025. Saul's access to agency computers was cut off on Monday, July 12, the day his acting successor, Kilolo Kijakazi, took over, The Washington Post said. Experts told the Post that …
Highland Lakes-Vernon, NJ
News
Feds: Sussex Man Admits Spending $5.6M COVID Relief Money On Stock Market, Luxury Vehicle, More
A Sussex County man who was seized by federal agents as he tried to board a flight to Pakistan admitted fraudulently collecting $5.6 million in federal COVID-19 pandemic business loans that he put to personal use, authorities said. Azhar Sarwar Rana, 30, of Newton, used the money -- designed to keep struggling small businesses afloat during the pandemic – to millions in the stock market, make a payment to a luxury car dealership and send hundreds of thousands of dollars to accounts in Pakistan, Acting U.S. Attorney Rachael A. Honig said. Rana submitted an application for a stimulus loan und…
Massapequa, NY
News
Long Island Man Fraudulently Obtained $200K In Disability Benefits, NY AG Says
A Long Island man is facing charges for allegedly collecting hundreds of thousands of dollars in Social Security disability benefits for the better part of a decade, the New York Attorney General said. AG Letitia James announced the arrest of Huntington resident Anthony Ragusa, age 50, who allegedly collected more than $200,000 in disability benefits from the Social Security Administration (SSA) between 2013 and 2020. It is alleged that during those seven years, Ragusa falsely represented to the New York State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance (OTDA) that he was unable to w…
Highland Lakes-Vernon, NJ
News
Feds: Sussex Scammer Used Dead People’s Names To Collect $1.9M In COVID Relief
A Sussex County scammer identified people who’d been dead for years as business partners to help collect $1.9 million from the federal fund established to help struggling companies during COVID-19, authorities charged. John Jhong, 51, of Sparta, also submitted phony IRS documents with bogus Paycheck Protection Program applications to the lenders on behalf of 10 purported businesses, Acting U.S. Attorney Rachael A. Honig said. Jhong converted a portion of the money intended for distressed businesses into a cashier’s check “that was used to fund a business account,” Honig said. Congress a ye…
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