Leveraging Technology to Prevent Fraud in the Social Security Administration

    ALEXANDRIA, VA, February 27, 2014 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Speaking before the House Ways and Means Committee Subcommittee on Social Security, Dr. Alan Shark, Executive Director of the Public Technology Institute laid-out a six-step process that can assist the Social Security Administration in preventing and detecting conspiracy fraud in the disability insurance program.

Dr. Shark testified that information technology should play a key role in preventing and detecting fraud. Recommendations include:

- The Social Security Administration should develop an IT system that incorporates textual analysis tools and predictive analytics technology to maximize the agency's ability to detect fraud.
- The Social Security Administration must improve its current IT infrastructure to accommodate new fraud detection technologies.
- Develop and maintain a culture of collaboration and information sharing and using technology driven detection methods to better leverage data resources

In addition to more effectively harnessing the power of information technology tools, Dr. Shark also recommended that the Social Security Administration:

- Explore potential partnerships with other government agencies that are coordinating efforts to combat fraud, waste and abuse.
- Develop a culture of prevention and detection that extends to all Social Security Administration employees.
- Incorporate clear warnings to claimants about the consequences for defrauding the disability insurance program.

A National Academy of Public Administration (NAPA) Fellow and Chair of the Academy's Technology Leadership Standing Panel, Dr. Shark's remarks were based, in part, on recommendations issued by an independent NAPA Panel.

Watch Dr. Shark's testimony here.

Public Technology Institute (PTI) actively supports local government executives and elected officials through research, education, executive-level consulting services, and national recognition programs.

As the only technology organization created by and for cities and counties, PTI works with a core network of leading local officials -- the PTI membership -- to identify research opportunities, share solutions, recognize member achievements and address the many technology issues that impact local government.

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