A Charlton, Massachusetts woman pleaded guilty to bank fraud for allegedly obtaining Social Security and pension payments for about six years, including COVID Economic Impact Payments. DOJ alleges she had access to a deceased beneficiary’s checkbook, failed to report the death, and received about $110,428.

A woman from Charlton, Massachusetts pleaded guilty to bank fraud in a case involving long-running benefit theft, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Massachusetts. Prosecutors allege she fraudulently obtained Social Security benefits and pension payments for approximately six years. The government also alleges she collected COVID Economic Impact Payments as part of the same conduct. DOJ states the defendant had access to a deceased beneficiary’s checkbook. The central allegation is that she did not report the beneficiary’s death, allowing benefit payments to continue issuing. Prosecutors describe how the defendant allegedly used access to the checkbook and ongoing payment streams to keep receiving funds that were no longer lawfully payable. The total alleged amount obtained is approximately $110,428. While this matter is not a traditional “internet scam,” it reflects a consumer-protection and government-benefit fraud pattern where identity access and administrative failure—such as not notifying agencies of a death—can preserve payments for years. The guilty plea reinforces federal enforcement against benefit and pension schemes that exploit checks, mail access, and administrative gaps rather than using overt cyber techniques.