Federal Search Warrant Reveals Beneficiary Funds Missing

Federal Search Warrant Reveals Beneficiary Funds Missing

The following press release was published by the U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys on March 20, 2014. It is reproduced in full below.

PORTLAND, Ore. - Federal agents of the Social Security Administration, Office of Inspector General, Office of Investigations, working with the U.S. Attorney’s Office, obtained a search warrant for Safety Net of Oregon, a Representative Payee organization, located on SE Morrison Street. The warrant was executed on March 6, 2014.

According to the affidavit in support of the search warrant, the Social Security Administration terminated Safety Net as an Organizational Representative Payee effective April 1, 2014, following a review of Safety Net that revealed that approximately $600,000 of beneficiary funds was unaccounted for.

Prior to the execution of the warrant, the Social Security Administration began contacting each of the approximate 900 beneficiaries by telephone or letter to advise them of Safety Net’s termination as an Organizational Representative Payee. During the execution of the warrant, clients of Safety Net who arrived at the business were provided a flyer advising them of Safety Net’s termination and directing them to contact the Social Security Administration. They were also provided names of organizations that could potentially serve as Representative Payees. Employees of the local Social Security Administration field offices have been working with local disability organizations and social service agencies with the goal that all of Safety Net clients will be transitioned to a new Representative Payee as soon as possible.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office’s investigation is on-going. A search warrant is an investigative tool and not evidence of guilt. The subjects of the search warrant are presumed innocent unless and until they are proven guilty.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office urges any beneficiaries who were clients of Safety Net and who have not yet contacted the Social Security Administration, to do so immediately in order to avoid any interruption in the payment of their benefits.

Social Security hours:

Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday: 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM

Wednesday 9:00 - Noon

Local Social Security Offices

SOCIAL SECURITY

194 BEVERLY DRIVE

OREGON CITY OR 97045

BUSINESS: (866) 964 4264

SOCIAL SECURITY

1538 SW YAMHILL ST

PORTLAND OR 97205

BUSINESS: (888) 632 6990

SOCIAL SECURITY

17925 SE DIVISION ST

PORTLAND OR 97236

BUSINESS: (866) 331 6402

SOCIAL SECURITY

1229 SE 3RD STREET SUITE 100

PENDLETON OR 97801

BUSINESS: (877) 405 0480

SOCIAL SECURITY

11975 SW 2ND ST SUITE 100

BEAVERTON OR 97005

BUSINESS: (866) 964 2036

SOCIAL SECURITY

1750 MCGILCHRIST ST SE STE 110

SALEM OR 97302

BUSINESS: (866) 593 1559

Representative Payee Organizations

Share and Care

13855 Pacific Highway

Tigard, OR 97281

503-684-8882

*If you cannot get to the Tigard location, call them and the payee will arrange to meet you.

Action Payee Services Inc.

503-352-5349

* Contact by phone and the payee will arrange to meet you.

On the Budget

971-227-6294

* Contact by phone and the payee will arrange to meet you.

Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys

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