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RIVERSIDE COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SOCIAL SERVICES | 121

Investigations Unit

Investigations Unit Protects Integrity of Benefits and Serves Department M embers of the Investigations Unit are vigilant in their efforts to combat fraud and protect the integrity of program benefits intended for the most economically vulnerable households

in Riverside County. The unit is made up of the Special Investigations Unit (SIU), Fraud Early Detection (FRED), Investigations Criminal Records (ICR), Match unit and support staff. The units have a variety of functions specializing in investigating preventative fraud, criminal fraud, and administrative fraud. The Criminal Records Review Unit provides summarized background investigations to Children’s Services for potential placement of minors throughout the county. In Fiscal Year 23/24, SIU investigators focused on dozens of investigations involving allegations of theft and fraud. In one case, they uncovered a case of benefits theft totaling nearly $135,000 and worked with the District Attorney to brings charges against eight individuals. Investigators collaborated with members of the Fraud Early Detection (FRED) team in Self Sufficiency, to identify nearly $18,000 in fraudulent claims from another individual. The Special Enforcement Team (SET) was formed in response to the increase in skimming thefts on CalFresh customers’ electronic benefits transfer (EBT)

cards. A Supervising Welfare Fraud Investigator, four Welfare Fraud Investigators, a Supervising Investigative Technician, two Senior Investigation Technicians and two investigation technicians were drawn from existing teams to form the new unit. Since formation, the team has made several arrests and seized thousands of dollars along with fraudulently created access cards with stolen benefits. As a result, Riverside County’s EBT fraud theft losses have seen a steep drop.

Welfare Fraud Investigations.......................................................................................................................................................................... 962 Special Investigations Conducted......................................................................................................................................................... 2,217 Match Investigations........................................................................................................................................................................................ 10,413 Criminal Records Review Unit Investigations............................................................................................................................ 4,276 Enforcement Tactics and Training Unit Training Hours................................................................................................... 1,484 Hours Staffing Harmony Haven Children and Youth Center ......................................................................................... 548 Investigations Unit by the Numbers | Fiscal Year 2023/24