Kokomo woman raked in $231K in Social Security benefits while claiming dead husband was still alive

KOKOMO, Ind. — A Kokomo woman cashed in on her dead husband’s Social Security benefits for a decade plus after his death, amassing more than $230,000 while falsely claiming the man was still alive.

Rebecca Fields, 70, was sentenced to three years of probation for her deceit after pleading guilty in federal court. She was also ordered to pay back all $231,203.10 of her ill-gotten benefits.

“This sentence should serve as a stark warning to potential fraudsters who may believe they can cheat the system- you will pay the price,” said John E. Childress, Acting U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Indiana.

According to the U.S. Department of Justice, Fields was added as the representative payee for her husband’s Social Security benefits in 2002. But after her husband died in 2006, she failed to notify the Social Security Administration and continued cashing in his benefits.

Fields also made false claims that the benefits were for her husband’s health and well-being, lying about her husband still being alive.

“For over a decade, Fields brazenly stole not only from the United States government, but also indirectly from taxpayers who diligently pay into the Social Security retirement fund. Fields’ conduct also indirectly preyed on the vulnerable, elderly beneficiaries who ultimately depend on the program’s payments upon their retirement from the workforce,” said Childress.

The Social Security Administration and the Office of Inspector General investigated this case.