A New Orleans woman, Myrna Shiloh, has recently admitted that she forged her dead grandmother’s signature in order to keep receiving her social security checks. She may now have to spend 10 years in jail because she has embezzled funds from the SSA and used the money reserved for her grandmother’s social security for 16 years.
The Long Running Social Security Scam
- Also Read: FAA, Law Enforcement, and Special Federal Employee Categories—Here’s What Makes Their Retirement Unique
- Also Read: Blending Private and Public Sector Retirement Plans Is Complicated—Here’s Where Couples Get It Wrong
- Also Read: The Silent Shift in Postal Service Retirement Benefits That Could Change Everything by 2026
The Numbers
Because the scam has been going on for so long, a lot of money has been stolen. The embezzlement committed by Shiloh came out to over $150,100 between February 3, 1999, and March 2, 2015. The details were shared by U.S. Attorney, Kenneth Polite and were also mentioned in the Court documents filed in the Eastern District of Louisiana.
How it Worked?
Shiloh was living with her grandmother when she died on May 16, 1998, at 3630 Freemont St. Shiloh then decided to let the social security checks continue to come in on a regular basis. To get the money, she even forged her grandmother’s signature on the back of the checks. The money she received from the SSA was used by Shiloh. She decided to keep the money with her for her personal use and divided it in three banks, all of whom have her personal account.
The Punishment
It is believed that since Shiloh admitted to the crime, she will soon face a steep punishment. She is looking at up to 10 years in prison, a fine of up to $250,000, and up to three years of supervised release.
Apart from the punishment, she might also be directed to pay some restitution to the Social Security Administration. The final decision will be made on July 21, 2016, when the matter is expected to be reviewed by U.S. District Judge, Lance M. Africk.
