Former SSA employee pleads guilty to stealing over $110k in benefits

Christina Daniels, a former employee of the Social Security Administration (SSA), has admitted guilt in federal court to charges of theft of government property and aggravated identity theft. U.S. Attorney Theodore S. Hertzberg commented on the case, stating, "As an employee of the Social Security Administration, Daniels was entrusted with access to millions of beneficiaries’ personally identifiable information. She abused that trust by accessing sensitive information and using it to steal from the very people she was hired to serve."

The SSA's Assistant Inspector General for Audit, Michelle L. Anderson, remarked on the seriousness of the offense: "Social Security Administration employees are entrusted in serving the people - not abusing their important position by stealing money from the people that they are meant to serve to line their own pockets."

Between January 2023 and May 2024, Daniels exploited her role as a customer service representative at the Norcross, Georgia office by altering direct deposit details for around 28 beneficiaries. This misuse of authority resulted in over $110,000 being stolen.

Daniels opened Green Dot and Cash App accounts using personal information from unsuspecting beneficiaries and redirected their benefits into these accounts under her control. The fraudulent activity came to light following complaints from retirement beneficiaries about missing payments.

An investigation uncovered that Daniels had changed direct deposit details for several individuals, redirecting funds into accounts created with stolen personal information from other beneficiaries, including some family members.

Daniels faces up to 10 years in prison for theft of government money and a mandatory consecutive two-year sentence for aggravated identity theft. Her sentencing will be determined by United States District Judge J.P. Boulee at a future date.

The investigation is conducted by the SSA's Office of the Inspector General with prosecution led by Special Assistant United States Attorney Diane C. Schulman.

For more details, contact U.S. Attorney’s Public Affairs Office at USAGAN.PressEmails@usdoj.gov or (404) 581-6185. Further information is available on their website at http://www.justice.gov/usao-ndga.