TAMPA, Fla. — A dozen people were charged in 11 separate federal cases of stealing, after receiving more than $700,000 for Social Security benefits paid to deceased beneficiaries, prosecutors said.
Federal officials said they aggressively targeted people who stole money that was inadvertently paid to dead beneficiaries, usually family members.
In one case, a Fort Myers man continued cashing checks for nearly 24 years after the death of the beneficiary, collecting $100,762, the U.S. State Attorney said.
“As these charges demonstrate, stealing from SSA on behalf of a deceased beneficiary is a federal crime,” Inspector General of Social Security Gail S. Ennis said in a statement. “We work closely with SSA and other government agencies to identify Social Security fraud and stop improper payments.”
Those charged were 51 to 79 years old. If convicted they face a maximum of 10 years in prison.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.