Recently, a strange story spread all over the internet: a claim that a 360-year-old man was getting Social Security payments in the United States. This rumor shocked many people, and even billionaire Elon Musk commented on it, calling it the “biggest scam in history.” His statement added more fuel to the public’s growing concerns about possible fraud in government programs.
However, investigations soon showed that the claim was completely false. There was no real 360-year-old person receiving benefits. Instead, this event exposed bigger problems in the Social Security Administration (SSA), especially how outdated their record-keeping systems are. Errors in the database, not actual fraud, were the real issue.
Although the idea of someone 360 years old getting government money was fake, the discussion pointed out something very real: the urgent need for the SSA to modernize its systems. The problems in their old data entries could create vulnerabilities, and if not fixed, might open doors for fraud. Let’s take a deeper look into what happened, why it happened, and what the SSA is doing to fix it.
What Sparked the 360-Year-Old Story?
The rumor started when people noticed strange records showing someone aged 360 years in the SSA database. This unusual detail quickly went viral on social media, leading to many jokes, memes, and serious concerns about fraud. Elon Musk’s bold statement that the SSA was running the “biggest scam in history” made headlines, although the claim was not true.
When experts checked the database, they found that such impossible ages were just old errors, not real benefit payments. Sometimes, when updating old records or transferring data from paper to computer, placeholder dates or typos caused impossible ages to appear. These database mistakes show that while no fraud was happening in this case, there are real weaknesses in how the SSA manages its data.
Why These Errors Exist in the SSA System
Old and Outdated Record-Keeping
The SSA database is very old, created many decades ago using a programming language called COBOL from the 1950s. Since then, technology has improved, but the SSA’s system has not kept up. Today, few programmers know how to work with COBOL, making repairs and updates difficult.
When records are not updated properly, errors stay in the system for years. If a person passes away and their death is not recorded correctly, the system might still show them as alive.
Mistakes During Manual Data Entry
Before everything was digital, workers manually entered records by typing them in or copying from paper files. Human mistakes, like typing the wrong birth year, could turn a normal age into a crazy one, like 360 years old.
Also, when switching from paper to computer files, workers sometimes left blank fields or entered temporary dates. If these were never corrected, they stayed in the database, causing strange entries today.
Missing Cross-Checks Between Agencies
Another problem is that the SSA doesn’t always verify records quickly with other government agencies. Although they now use systems like the Electronic Death Registration (EDR), gaps still exist. Sometimes, deceased people are not promptly removed from the system, leaving outdated and wrong information behind.
How Elon Musk’s Comments Shined a Light on Real Problems
Elon Musk’s harsh words about the SSA got a lot of attention. Even though he reacted to a false claim, his criticism highlighted a real problem: many government systems, including the SSA’s, are extremely outdated.
Experts quickly clarified that while weird entries exist, there’s very little actual fraud linked to these old database mistakes. A 2015 audit found millions of records had wrong data, but no real evidence that money was being paid to nonexistent people.
Still, Musk’s comments helped push the conversation about the urgent need to upgrade old government computer systems.
Real Dangers of Social Security Fraud
Even though the 360-year-old story was false, real Social Security fraud does happen. Here are some of the common types:
Stealing Social Security Numbers
Fraudsters often steal SSNs from deceased individuals or vulnerable people and use them to claim benefits illegally.
False Disability Claims
Some people pretend to be disabled while secretly working to collect extra government money.
Collecting Benefits After Death
Family members sometimes keep collecting benefits after a loved one dies, without telling the SSA.
Creating Fake Identities
Scammers also mix real and fake information to build new identities, then use them to apply for Social Security benefits.
These types of fraud cost taxpayers millions each year. Although the SSA investigates thousands of cases, the massive size of the program means that some fraud still slips through.
How the SSA Is Working to Fix These Problems
Recognizing the risks, the SSA has launched several programs to clean up and protect its systems:
- Electronic Death Registration (EDR): Helps automatically update records when someone passes away.
- Using Artificial Intelligence: AI tools are now used to detect strange patterns that might signal fraud.
- Better Data Checking: SSA now cross-checks data with other agencies to find errors faster.
- Public Education: The SSA runs awareness campaigns to teach people about scams and how to protect their SSNs.
- New Laws and Rules: Government leaders are working on laws to make fraud detection stronger and punish scammers more seriously.
How You Can Protect Your Social Security Information
Even if the system has weaknesses, individuals can protect themselves by:
- Checking Your SSA Records Regularly: Visit ssa.gov to view your Social Security information and fix errors early.
- Keeping Your SSN Private: Only share your number when absolutely necessary, and don’t carry your Social Security card with you.
- Recognizing Scams: Remember, real SSA workers won’t threaten you or ask for payment over the phone.
- Using Identity Protection Services: Companies like LifeLock and Experian offer alerts if someone misuses your information.
- Reporting Fraud: If you suspect any fraud, report it immediately at oig.ssa.gov.