The Bureau of the Fiscal Service now screens federal payments to confirm bank account ownership and taxpayer identification details. This system, operational since September 30, 2026, has returned approximately 13,500 payments totaling $175 million intended for deceased individuals. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent stated the initiative shifts the focus from recovering funds after payment to preventing errors before disbursement. The verification process covers about 1.1 billion payments worth $3.7 trillion annually, utilizing the Do Not Pay database to enhance identity and eligibility checks.
Read the full story at thefinancialwire.com.
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