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Fast Facts
Highlights
What GAO Found
All federal programs and operations are at risk of fraud, regardless of whether they provide financial or nonfinancial benefits or delivery takes place at the federal, state, or local level. Understanding the scope of the problem is critical to combating fraud. In 2024, GAO estimated total direct annual financial losses to the government from fraud at between $233 billion and $521 billion, based on fiscal year 2018 through 2022 data. The estimate captures losses that occur at the state, local,…
Never click on links in SMS messages or emails that claim your account has been “suspended” or that you have a “pending package,” as these are classic entry points for credential-harvesting malware.