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Government Watchdog Uncovers Extensive Unemployment Fraud
Elon Musk, head of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), expressed astonishment at the staggering number of fraudulent unemployment claims uncovered by his agency. The findings, which detail a significant misuse of taxpayer money, required multiple readings to fully comprehend, according to Musk.
Investigation into Misspent Funds
The Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) is prioritizing an investigation into the wasteful expenditure of taxpayer funds. This initiative follows pledges from officials to identify and eliminate governmental inefficiencies.
Shocking Findings on Unemployment Insurance Claims
DOGE recently released the preliminary results of a survey examining unemployment insurance claims processed since 2020. The findings, revealed on Wednesday, were described as shocking by Musk due to the scale of potential fraud.
Claims Filed Under Implausible Identities
The study revealed that at least 24,500 individuals over the age of 115 filed claims totaling $59 million in benefits. Further anomalies include:
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- Approximately 28,000 claims, amounting to $254 million, were filed under the names of individuals under five years old.
- An additional 9,700 claims, valued at $69 million, were linked to individuals with birth dates more than 15 years in the future.
DOGE highlighted an extreme instance where a claim for $41,000 in benefits was made under a birth date in the year 2154.
Musk Voices Alarm on Social Media
Musk shared these findings on his social media platform, X, stating his disbelief at the statistics. He conveyed that the magnitude of the numbers necessitated several reviews before he could fully grasp the implications.
“Your tax dollars were potentially used to fulfill fraudulent unemployment claims for nonexistent individuals born in the future,” Musk posted. “The extent of this government waste is so unbelievable that I had to reread the report multiple times for it to register.”
Elon Musk disclosed the astonishing figures of fraudulent unemployment claims discovered by his agency
Public Reaction and Calls for Accountability
Social media users echoed Musk’s astonishment and demanded accountability for those responsible for the fraudulent claims.
One user commented, “I have never witnessed such blatant greed and deception as what DOGE has brought to light.”
Another user questioned, “Unemployment claims for individuals who not only are not employed but are also not yet born. Who conceives of such schemes?”
A further comment read, “When I saw the $59 million figure for individuals aged 115 and older, I was astounded. How long has this type of fraud been occurring?”
One individual added, “I am utterly disgusted. Those responsible need to be imprisoned; it’s the only way to rectify this. They have committed crimes against American citizens.”
SSA Website Issues Amidst Anti-Fraud Measures
These revelations follow recent disruptions to the Social Security Administration (SSA) website on Monday.
Reports indicate that DOGE’s team was implementing an “anti-fraud upgrade” which resulted in unforeseen complications, leading to widespread inability to access online accounts, according to The Washington Post.
This technical issue disproportionately affected elderly individuals and low-income families, preventing access to crucial information, government services applications, and benefit payments.
Citizens protest outside the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) headquarters concerning the DOGE, spearheaded by Elon Musk.
Demands for SSA Reforms and Past Concerns
The recurring website malfunctions occur alongside ongoing calls from DOGE and Musk for significant reforms within the SSA, including reductions in staffing levels.
Earlier in February, Musk highlighted data suggesting millions of deceased Americans remained listed as eligible for social security payments.
The business magnate shared a chart on X detailing over 20 million individuals listed as over 100 years old within the Social Security database. This included:
- 3.9 million in the 130-139 age range
- Over 3.5 million aged 140-149
- More than 1.3 million in the 150-159 range
The records even indicated one ‘living’ citizen aged over 360.
“According to the Social Security database, these figures represent individuals in each age bracket with the ‘death field’ set to FALSE! Perhaps there’s truth to the Twilight stories, and numerous vampires are drawing Social Security,” Musk quipped.
Concerns Over Inaccurate Records and Potential Overpayments
The Department of Health and Human Services agency is facing scrutiny from Musk regarding records indicating 60 million more individuals than the total U.S. population. This discrepancy suggests potential ongoing payments to millions who are deceased or possibly never existed.
In 2024, the SSA distributed benefits to 68.5 million individuals through retirement, disability, and other programs.
The extent to which these disbursements were due to fraud or agency errors in verifying beneficiary age and eligibility – including whether recipients are still living – remains unclear.
However, DOGE has asserted it is actively “looking into this issue.”
DOGE’s “anti-fraud upgrade” effort resulted in the SSA website crashing on Monday.
Recent surveys indicate Musk’s public approval rating has reached a new low among Americans.
Musk’s Diminishing Public Approval
Concurrently, recent surveys demonstrate a decline in Musk’s public approval, reaching an all-time low among Americans.
The individual who referred to himself as “tech support” for a prominent figure currently holds a 38 percent favorability rating, with 60 percent viewing the billionaire X owner unfavorably.
Regarding his leadership of DOGE, 41 percent approve, while 58 percent disapprove of his performance, as indicated by the latest Marquette Law School national survey.
Close Ties with Political Figures
Musk and prominent political figures have maintained a close relationship, particularly since the lead-up to a significant election victory last November.
Musk, along with his son, are frequently observed at prominent locations.
The Tesla and SpaceX leader has participated in Cabinet meetings, Oval Office gatherings, executive order signings, and political rallies.