Our Commitment to Social Security Benefit Integrity

The Department of Social Security is committed to deliver social security benefits and services that meet the needs of the public. Moreover, our employees strive to ensure the public receives the Social Security benefits and services it deserves. We work diligently to ensure the integrity of Social Security benefits and provide a high level of service to the public. Nevertheless, in some cases persons seek to abuse of Social Security benefits.

Fraud involves receiving social security benefits through wilful misrepresentation, whereby, with intent to defraud, a person makes a false statement, conceals or fails to disclose information for use in determining benefit eligibility or entitlement under the provisions of the Social Security Act (Cap. 318.).

Examples of fraud include:

• Making a false statement on benefit claims.
• Concealing facts or events that affect eligibility or entitlement for benefits.
• Failing to notify the Department of Social Security of change in circumstances such as one’s income, resources, marital status or when a living circumstance has changed.

The Benefits Compliance Unit has a zero tolerance for fraud. The unit is committed to preventing, detecting, and eliminating fraud in our benefits. The Benefits Compliance Unit conducts investigations of allegations of Social Security benefits fraud and prosecutes those who commit fraud against the social security benefits framework.

The investigation is most successful when a person provides as much information as possible about the alleged suspect and/or victim involved. The more information they can provide, the better chance there is of determining whether a crime has been committed. When filling out an alleged fraud investigation request, it is important to include the following (not limited) details about the alleged suspect and/or victim:

• Name.
• Address.
• Telephone number.
• Description of the fraud.
• Location where the fraud took place.
• When the fraud took place.
• How the fraud was committed.

The Benefit Compliance Unit will investigate all Benefit Compliance Investigation Requests, although information about the outcome of a particular investigation cannot be provided. An acknowledgment letter will be sent if the request for investigation is not made in an anonymous manner. The Unit ensures the confidentiality of individuals identities and refrains from disclosing their personal information without their consent, unless authorised or legally mandated to do so.

If someone suspects that a beneficiary is committing fraud or abuse of Social Security benefits, they should contact the Benefits Compliance Unit’s hotline on Freephone 80072345 or submit an investigation request online or write to the Benefits Compliance Unit, 38 Ordnance Street, Valletta VLT 1021.