Title: $5.4 billion in covid aid may have gone to firms using suspect Social Security numbers

URL Source: https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2023/01/30/ppp-covid-fraud-social-security/

Published Time: 2023-01-30T19:32:37.598Z

Markdown Content:
[Accessibility statement](https://www.washingtonpost.com/accessibility/)[Skip to main content](https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2023/01/30/ppp-covid-fraud-social-security/#main-content)

[Democracy Dies in Darkness](https://www.washingtonpost.com/)

[Save and subscribe](https://subscribe.washingtonpost.com/acquisition/?oscode=RPWH&s_l=ONSITE_HEADER_ARTICLE&p=s_v&s_ct=article&itid=nav_subscribe_logged_out&tid=nav_subscribe_logged_out&acqEntType=mktg_onsite_article&destination=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.washingtonpost.com%2Fbusiness%2F2023%2F01%2F30%2Fppp-covid-fraud-social-security%2F&arcId=7QD7W7POAFBTRB7DAYTVCJGUVQ)[Sign in](https://www.washingtonpost.com/subscribe/signin/?next_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.washingtonpost.com%2Fbusiness%2F2023%2F01%2F30%2Fppp-covid-fraud-social-security%2F&nid=top_pb_signin&arcId=7QD7W7POAFBTRB7DAYTVCJGUVQ&account_location=ONSITE_HEADER_ARTICLE&itid=nav_sign_in)

Democracy Dies in Darkness

[Business](https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/?itid=sn_business_title)[Economy](https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/economy/)[Economic Policy](https://www.washingtonpost.com/us-policy/economic-policy/)[Media](https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/media/)[Personal Finance](https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/personal-finance/)[Future of Work](https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/work/)[Technology](https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/technology/?itid=sn_business_6/)[Business of Climate](https://www.washingtonpost.com/climate-environment/business-of-climate/)

[Business](https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/?itid=sn_business_title)[Economy](https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/economy/)[Economic Policy](https://www.washingtonpost.com/us-policy/economic-policy/)[Media](https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/media/)[Personal Finance](https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/personal-finance/)[Future of Work](https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/work/)[Technology](https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/technology/?itid=sn_business_6/)[Business of Climate](https://www.washingtonpost.com/climate-environment/business-of-climate/)

[The Covid Money Trail](https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/interactive/2022/covid-money-trail-investigation-explained/)
# $5.4 billion in covid aid may have gone to firms using suspect Social Security numbers

The findings from the nation’s top pandemic watchdog come as House Republicans plan to hold their first hearing this week on coronavirus-related fraud.

Updated January 30, 2023 More than**3 years ago**

5 min

753

[Make us preferred on Google](https://www.google.com/preferences/source?q=washingtonpost.com)

![Image 5](https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-apps/imrs.php?src=https://arc-anglerfish-washpost-prod-washpost.s3.amazonaws.com/public/X2N3JEXL3EI6ZH4QPHPR7MUCSY.jpg&w=440%20400w)

A rental sign is displayed at a retail property in Chicago on June 20, 2020. (Nam Y. Huh/AP)

![Image 6](https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-apps/imrs.php?src=https://s3.amazonaws.com/arc-authors/washpost/f28d76e6-81cf-46e7-a619-e3f2b2d7a600.png&h=196&w=196)

By [Tony Romm](https://www.washingtonpost.com/people/tony-romm/)

The U.S. government may have awarded roughly $5.4 billion in coronavirus aid to small businesses with potentially ineligible Social Security numbers, offering the latest indication that Washington’s haste earlier in the pandemic opened the door for widespread waste, fraud and abuse.

[Get a curated selection of 10 of our best stories in your inbox every weekend.](https://www.washingtonpost.com/newsletters/must-reads/?method=SURL&location=ART&initiative=CTA)

* * *

753**Comments**

![Image 7](https://palomaimages.washingtonpost.com/prod/512x288_EconomyBusiness_tstmp_1623882368.jpg)

Newsletter As news breaks

![Image 8](https://palomaimages.washingtonpost.com/prod/512x288_EconomyBusiness_tstmp_1623882368.jpg)

Economy & Business Alerts

Important breaking news emails on the issues around the economy and business.

Sign up

[](https://www.washingtonpost.com/)

## Company

*   [About The Post](https://www.washingtonpost.com/about-the-post/)
*   [Newsroom Policies & Standards](https://www.washingtonpost.com/policies-and-standards/)
*   [WP Creative Group](https://www.washingtonpost.com/creativegroup/archive/)
*   [Diversity & Inclusion](https://washingtonpost.com/about-the-post/workforce-demographics/)
*   [Careers](https://careers.washingtonpost.com/)
*   [Media & Community Relations](https://www.washingtonpost.com/public-relations/)
*   [Accessibility Statement](https://www.washingtonpost.com/accessibility/)

## Sections

*   [Trending](https://www.washingtonpost.com/trending/)
*   [Politics](https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/)
*   [Elections](https://www.washingtonpost.com/elections/)
*   [Opinions](https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/)
*   [National](https://www.washingtonpost.com/national/)
*   [World](https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/)
*   [Style](https://www.washingtonpost.com/style/)
*   [Sports](https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/)
*   [Business](https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/)
*   [Climate](https://www.washingtonpost.com/climate-environment/)
*   [Well+Being](https://www.washingtonpost.com/wellbeing/)
*   [D.C., Md., & Va.](https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/)
*   [Obituaries](https://www.washingtonpost.com/obituaries/)
*   [Weather](https://www.washingtonpost.com/weather/)
*   [Arts & Entertainment](https://www.washingtonpost.com/entertainment/)
*   [Recipes](https://www.washingtonpost.com/recipes/)

## Get The Post

*   [WP Intelligence](https://wpintelligence.washingtonpost.com/)
*   [Enterprise Subscriptions](https://subscription.washingtonpost.com/enterprise/)
*   [Manage Your Subscription](https://www.washingtonpost.com/my-post/account/subscription/?itid=site_footer)
*   [Become a Subscriber](https://subscribe.washingtonpost.com/acquisition/?p=s_v&s_l=ONSITE_FOOTER_DIGITAL)
*   [Gift Subscriptions](https://subscribe.washingtonpost.com/acquisition/?p=g_v&s_l=ONSITE_FOOTER_GIFT)
*   [Mobile & Apps](https://subscription.washingtonpost.com/mobile/)
*   [Newsletters & Alerts](https://washingtonpost.com/newsletters/)
*   [Washington Post Live](https://www.washingtonpost.com/washington-post-live/)
*   [Reprints & Permissions](https://www.washingtonpost.com/reprints-permissions/)
*   [Post Store](https://store.washingtonpost.com/)
*   [Books & E-Books](https://www.washingtonpost.com/photos-books/)
*   [Print Archives (Subscribers Only)](https://www.proquest.com/?accountid=189667)
*   [Today’s Paper](https://www.washingtonpost.com/todays_paper/updates/)
*   [Public Notices](https://www.washingtonpost.com/classifieds/)

## Contact Us

*   [Contact the Newsroom](https://helpcenter.washingtonpost.com/hc/en-us/articles/360002940991-Leadership-of-The-Washington-Post-newsroom)
*   [Contact Customer Care](https://helpcenter.washingtonpost.com/hc/en-us/)
*   [Contact the Opinions Team](https://helpcenter.washingtonpost.com/hc/en-us/articles/360004745292-Leadership-of-The-Washington-Post-Opinions-section)
*   [Advertise](https://www.washingtonpost.com/solutions/)
*   [Licensing & Syndication](https://www.washingtonpost.com/licensing-syndication)
*   [Request a Correction](https://helpcenter.washingtonpost.com/hc/en-us/articles/115003675928-Submit-a-correction)
*   [Send a News Tip](https://www.washingtonpost.com/anonymous-news-tips/)
*   [Report a Vulnerability](https://www.washingtonpost.com/discussions/2021/05/13/vulnerability-disclosure-policy/)

## Terms of Use

*   [Digital Products Terms of Sale](https://www.washingtonpost.com/information/2022/06/17/terms-sale-digital-products/)
*   [Print Products Terms of Sale](https://www.washingtonpost.com/information/2020/11/20/terms-sale-print-products/)
*   [Terms of Service](https://www.washingtonpost.com/terms-of-service/)
*   [Privacy Policy](https://www.washingtonpost.com/privacy-policy/)
*   [Cookie Settings](https://www.washingtonpost.com/cookie-policy/)
*   [Submissions & Discussion Policy](https://www.washingtonpost.com/discussions/2021/11/23/discussion-submission-guidelines/)
*   [RSS Terms of Service](https://www.washingtonpost.com/discussions/2021/01/01/rss-terms-service/)
*   [Sitemap](https://www.washingtonpost.com/sitemap/)
*   [Ad Choices](https://www.washingtonpost.com/information/2022/01/01/ad-choices/)

[washingtonpost.com](https://www.washingtonpost.com/) © 1996-2026 The Washington Post

[](https://www.washingtonpost.com/)

### ## Company

Chevron Icon

*   [WP Intelligence](https://www.wpintelligence.com/)
*   [Ask The Post AI](https://www.washingtonpost.com/ask-the-post-ai/)
*   [WP Creative Group](https://www.washingtonpost.com/creativegroup/archive/)
*   [Diversity & Inclusion](https://washingtonpost.com/about-the-post/workforce-demographics/)
*   [Careers](https://careers.washingtonpost.com/)
*   [Media & Community Relations](https://www.washingtonpost.com/public-relations/)
*   [Accessibility Statement](https://www.washingtonpost.com/accessibility/)

### ## Sections

Chevron Icon

*   [Trending](https://www.washingtonpost.com/trending/)
*   [Politics](https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/)
*   [Elections](https://www.washingtonpost.com/elections/)
*   [Opinions](https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/)
*   [National](https://www.washingtonpost.com/national/)
*   [World](https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/)
*   [Style](https://www.washingtonpost.com/style/)
*   [Sports](https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/)
*   [Business](https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/)
*   [Climate](https://www.washingtonpost.com/climate-environment/)
*   [Well+Being](https://www.washingtonpost.com/wellbeing/)
*   [D.C., Md., & Va.](https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/)
*   [Obituaries](https://www.washingtonpost.com/obituaries/)
*   [Weather](https://www.washingtonpost.com/weather/)
*   [Arts & Entertainment](https://www.washingtonpost.com/entertainment/)
*   [Recipes](https://www.washingtonpost.com/recipes/)

### ## Get The Post

Chevron Icon

*   [WP Intelligence](https://wpintelligence.washingtonpost.com/)
*   [Enterprise Subscriptions](https://subscription.washingtonpost.com/enterprise/)
*   [Manage Your Subscription](https://www.washingtonpost.com/my-post/account/subscription/?itid=site_footer)
*   [Become a Subscriber](https://subscribe.washingtonpost.com/acquisition/?p=s_v&s_l=ONSITE_FOOTER_DIGITAL)
*   [Gift Subscriptions](https://subscribe.washingtonpost.com/acquisition/?p=g_v&s_l=ONSITE_FOOTER_GIFT)
*   [Mobile & Apps](https://subscription.washingtonpost.com/mobile/)
*   [Newsletters & Alerts](https://washingtonpost.com/newsletters/)
*   [Washington Post Live](https://www.washingtonpost.com/washington-post-live/)
*   [Reprints & Permissions](https://www.washingtonpost.com/reprints-permissions/)
*   [Post Store](https://store.washingtonpost.com/)
*   [Books & E-Books](https://www.washingtonpost.com/photos-books/)
*   [Print Archives (Subscribers Only)](https://www.proquest.com/?accountid=189667)
*   [Today’s Paper](https://www.washingtonpost.com/todays_paper/updates/)
*   [Public Notices](https://www.washingtonpost.com/classifieds/)

### ## Contact Us

Chevron Icon

*   [Contact the Newsroom](https://helpcenter.washingtonpost.com/hc/en-us/articles/360002940991-Leadership-of-The-Washington-Post-newsroom)
*   [Contact Customer Care](https://helpcenter.washingtonpost.com/hc/en-us/)
*   [Contact the Opinions Team](https://helpcenter.washingtonpost.com/hc/en-us/articles/360004745292-Leadership-of-The-Washington-Post-Opinions-section)
*   [Advertise](https://www.washingtonpost.com/solutions/)
*   [Licensing & Syndication](https://www.washingtonpost.com/licensing-syndication)
*   [Request a Correction](https://helpcenter.washingtonpost.com/hc/en-us/articles/115003675928-Submit-a-correction)
*   [Send a News Tip](https://www.washingtonpost.com/anonymous-news-tips/)
*   [Report a Vulnerability](https://www.washingtonpost.com/discussions/2021/05/13/vulnerability-disclosure-policy/)
*   [Download the Washington Post App](https://wapo.onelink.me/e76N/ec774mr8)

*   [About The Post](https://www.washingtonpost.com/about-the-post/)
*   [Policies & Standards](https://www.washingtonpost.com/policies-and-standards/)
*   [Digital Products Terms of Sale](https://www.washingtonpost.com/information/2022/06/17/terms-sale-digital-products/)
*   [Print Products Terms of Sale](https://www.washingtonpost.com/information/2020/11/20/terms-sale-print-products/)
*   [Terms of Service](https://www.washingtonpost.com/terms-of-service/)
*   [Privacy Policy](https://www.washingtonpost.com/privacy-policy/)
*   [Cookie Settings](https://www.washingtonpost.com/cookie-policy/)
*   [Submissions & Discussion Policy](https://www.washingtonpost.com/discussions/2021/11/23/discussion-submission-guidelines/)
*   [RSS Terms of Service](https://www.washingtonpost.com/discussions/2021/01/01/rss-terms-service/)
*   [Sitemap](https://www.washingtonpost.com/sitemap/)
*   [Ad Choices](https://www.washingtonpost.com/information/2022/01/01/ad-choices/)

*   [washingtonpost.com](https://www.washingtonpost.com/)
*   © 1996-2026 The Washington Post

5.61.1

![Image 9: pixel](https://px.washingtonpost.com/pixel.png)

Already have an account?[Sign in](https://www.washingtonpost.com/subscribe/signin/index.html?tid=wa_hardregwall_auth&next_url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2023/01/30/ppp-covid-fraud-social-security/&)

* * *

AMERICA 250 JULY 4TH SALE

# Two ways to read this article:

Create an account

Free

*   Access **this article**

Enter email address 

By selecting "Start reading," you agree to The Washington Post's [Terms of Service](https://www.washingtonpost.com/information/2022/01/01/terms-of-service/) and [Privacy Policy](https://www.washingtonpost.com/privacy-policy/). 

Start reading

Subscribe

$2 every four weeks for the first year

*   **Unlimited access** to all articles
*   **24/7**live news updates

Subscribe