Mass. Auditor Diana DiZoglio Urges Public to Report Millions in Benefits Fraud

Since the start of the second Trump Administration, waste, fraud, and abuse have entered the American political lexicon as elected officials, grappling with massive budget deficits, attempt to rein in spending.

Publicly funded programs in Massachusetts have not been spared efforts to streamline government operations, reduce bureaucracy, and target improper payments.

To that end, Massachusetts State Auditor Diana DiZoglio encourages anyone with information to report public benefits fraud to the Bureau of Special Investigations (BSI) via the anonymous BSI Fraud Hotline at (617) 727-6771 or the Public Benefit Fraud Online Form.

The BSI aims to "make government work better by investigating fraud, abuse, and illegal acts involving public assistance benefits throughout the Commonwealth."

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Millions Identified in MassHealth and SNAP Fraud

The BSI's Annual Report for Fiscal Year 2025 "identified $11,952,288 in public assistance fraud with a total of 4,179 fraud investigations completed," with "the highest concentrations found in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) at over $4.1 million and MassHealth at over $1.3 million."

BSI investigated 1,847 alleged fraud cases and found "overpayment calculations" established in 317 specific cases during the first half of Fiscal Year 2026.

Massachusetts Residents Urged To Report Public Benefits Fraud

"For countless residents across the Commonwealth, these programs offer access to everyday items they need, including food and medical services," DiZoglio said in a statement. "Through the work of our fraud examiners, we continue to help ensure they operate with transparency, accountability, and equity."

The BSI completed 22 civil recoveries for FY25, totaling nearly $800,000 in fraudulent overpayments.

The Bureau of Special Investigations focuses primarily on fraud and abuse in MassHealth (Medicaid), the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Department of Transitional Assistance (DTA) programs, Department of Early Education and Care (EEC) programs, and Personal Care Assistance (PCA) programs.

Federal vs. State Efforts to Curb Benefits Abuse

Separately, the U.S. Attorney for Massachusetts is prosecuting federal instances of alleged public benefits fraud in Massachusetts totaling millions of dollars.

According to the Republican Study Committee, the federal government loses between $233 billion and $521 billion annually to fraud, with the Trump Administration reportedly uncovering more than $250 billion in total fraud.