Newsroom

The Fraud Fight

Taxpayers today lose as much as $521 billion to fraud every single year. For too many, that’s not just a number. It’s a road left in decay – a Social Security check never received – a childcare facility stolen from the community.

For decades, that fraud went unchecked as healthcare, nutrition, and housing assistance programs were quickly drained by criminals. The pandemic exacerbated the abuse. Federal bureaucrats pumped more than a trillion dollars into the economy with little oversight.

Billions were claimed in illegitimate unemployment benefits. Billions more went to fraudulent loans – the proceeds of which were never recovered. In fact, the GAO Inspector General estimates that between 11 and 15 percent of the benefits paid during the pandemic were fraudulent.

This was further exacerbated by the Biden administration, who seemed to think that the litmus test for success was sending money out the door rather than figuring out if it did anything.

The Trump administration, however, turned the page and has inspired actions within every government agency, including the State Treasury.

The effort started with the Department of Government Efficiency. In a matter of months, the agency uncovered waste that was equivalent to $1,335.40 per taxpayer. That’s not an insignificant chunk of change!

Of course, the effort continued from there. Despite the opposition of Congressman Bennie Thompson and his cohort of Democrat politicos, the other three members of Mississippi’s congressional delegation passed an unprecedented crackdown on waste, fraud, and abuse. Through their legislative efforts, there are more safeguards, more checks, and more accountability.

Now, Vice President J.D. Vance is taking up the mantle. Under President Trump’s direction, the Vice President and his assigned task force is leading a “full-scale war on fraud.”  The task force has so far helped charge dozens of fraudsters who sought to rip off homeowners and hospice recipients. They have found fraud in the healthcare system, in the student work visa program, and at daycare facilities. And there’s still more to uncover.

Here at the State Treasury, we are taking steps to make sure unclaimed money is protected from illegal immigrants. We were the first in the nation, in fact, to institute a citizenship verification system as part of the unclaimed money process. In doing so, we’re putting Mississippians first and bringing the fight against fraud home.

The reality is that there will always be people looking to game the system. But when government turns a blind eye, fraud flourishes. But when leaders demand accountability, taxpayers win – every single time.