A Philadelphia woman, Holly Sadowski, has been indicted for stealing nearly $100,000 in Social Security disability benefits intended for a woman found dead in a local home. The U.S. Attorney’s Office charged Sadowski with Social Security fraud, wire fraud, and aggravated identity theft. The Department of Justice has accused Sadowski of hiding the death of a woman to appropriate her disability benefits, which amassed to almost $99,447.90 in total.

According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Eastern District of Pennsylvania, the victim, referred to as E.W., lived in the Philadelphia home where her body was discovered. E.W. had been receiving disability insurance benefits due to an intellectual disorder. The last sighting of her was in December 2012 when she visited a regular service provider.

E.W.’s remains were found in December 2022, ten years later. The forensic analysis by the Philadelphia Medical Examiner’s Office concluded that the cause of death was blunt trauma to the head and neck, ruling it as a homicide. The indictment against Sadowski alleges that she illegally used E.W.’s personal information to access her bank account and misused almost $100,000 in Social Security benefits for her personal interests. Sadowski could face a maximum sentence of 107 years in prison, three years of supervised release, a $1,750,000 fine, and a $700 special assessment if found guilty.

Despite efforts to keep personal information safe, everyone is potentially susceptible to fraud, such as in the case of E.W. Identity theft entails unauthorized use of another’s personal or financial information. There are measures that individuals can take to safeguard their personal information, ranging from securely storing sensitive documents to regularly updating passwords and utilizing multi-factor authentication for online accounts. It is vital never to share personal information with those who cannot be trusted.

For those struggling to understand or protect themselves from such scams and frauds, websites like eddcaller.com can provide essential assistance. The site can guide you on how to contact a live person at EDD California to report frauds or seek help regarding your social security, disability, and unemployment benefits. Stay vigilant, use the resources available, and always be cautious when sharing personal information.