Leadership Update:
Frank Bisignano, the 18th Commissioner of the Social Security Administration (SSA), was recently
appointed as the first-ever Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), a newly
created position that brings an unprecedented dual leadership role in two of the largest federal agencies.
Bisignano will continue his role at SSA while simultaneously managing the day-to-day operations of the
IRS, reporting to Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, who serves as acting IRS Commissioner. This
appointment bypassed the usual congressional confirmation process and has sparked significant debate
among policy analysts and advocacy groups.
This dual leadership structure is highly unusual in the 90-year history of the SSA and the IRS, with no
precedent for an SSA commissioner or leader of a similar federal agency to hold concurrent executive
roles at two major government departments. Concerns have been raised about potential leadership gaps,
management conflicts, and data privacy risks, given the sensitive information handled by both agencies.
While Bisignano’s extensive private-sector experience is credited with driving improvements in efficiency
and customer service at the SSA, critics question whether one individual can effectively oversee the
complex operational demands of both agencies simultaneously, especially amid ongoing staffing
challenges and modernization efforts.
Government Shutdown Context:
Government shutdowns lasting more than five days have been rare but impactful moments of political
gridlock, such as the 35-day shutdown in 2018-2019 under President Donald Trump and the 21-day
shutdown in 1995-1996. Since 1976, the U.S. has experienced approximately 15 to 20 shutdowns,
mostly brief closures lasting under three days, typically triggered by temporary funding lapses. Longer
shutdowns disrupt federal operations and significantly affect workers and services.
At the SSA, nearly 90% of employees remain considered essential and continue working without pay
during shutdowns to maintain critical services. However, non-essential functions—such as benefit
verification letter issuance, earnings record updates, and overpayments processing—are paused. These
service suspensions impact vulnerable populations who rely on proof of income for housing and aid, with
limited in-person or phone assistance available. Additionally, the shutdown has delayed the annual
announcement of the Social Security Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA), which analysts estimate to be
around 2.7% for 2026. Beneficiaries face uncertainty pending formal release once full operations resume.
Waste, Fraud, and Abuse: Warning Against Scams
Scams targeting Social Security recipients and Medicare beneficiaries have surged in sophistication,
fueled by AI technologies enabling deepfake videos, website cloning, spoofed phone calls, and mass
fraudulent outreach via email and social media. Common scam types include:
Impersonation Scams: Fraudsters pose as SSA or Office of the Inspector General (OIG) employees,
sometimes even using real employee names, to extract personal information or money. For instance,
calls falsely claiming issues with benefits or demands for immediate payment are common. Unsolicited
contacts should be verified directly with local SSA offices.
Spoofing: Scammers manipulate caller ID to display official SSA numbers, misleading recipients into
trusting fraudulent calls. Genuine SSA representatives welcome verification calls to local offices to
confirm identity.
Impostor Websites: Fake websites mimic the SSA’s official site to steal personal identifying data or
charge unauthorized fees—such as for Social Security number replacements, which SSA provides free of
charge.
Social Media Fraud: SSA never initiates contact or requests interaction through social media platforms.
Beware of unqualified influencers spreading inaccurate SSA guidance. Always confirm eligibility and
entitlement details from SSA directly or an SSA certified professional.
SSA will never threaten suspension of Social Security cards or legal action over failure to make
immediate repayments, nor will it charge fees for SSN processing or benefit applications.
Report Fraud To:
Website: oig.ssa.gov/report
Mail: Social Security Fraud Hotline, PO Box 17785, Baltimore, MD 21235
Phone: 1-800-269-0271 (10:00 am to 4:00 pm Eastern Time)
Additionally, Medicare billing fraud remains a significant threat, with scammers submitting false claims or
billing for services never rendered. Medicare recipients should scrutinize statements and report
irregularities to the U.S. Department Of Health Office of Health and Human Services department of the
OIG directly at tips.oig.hhs.gov or 1-800-447-8744.
Remember, it’s your money and your information, do not hesitate to hang up on suspicious calls, avoid
clicking on unverified links or attachments, and report scam attempts promptly to the appropriate OIG.
Staying vigilant protects against identity theft and financial loss in an increasingly complex scam
environment.
Maryellen Eckert EDPNA
