SSA spokesperson Darren Lutz previously told PEOPLE that nearly 3 million deaths are reported to the SSA each year and that their records are “highly accurate.” The spokesperson sent the statement after Madeline-Michelle Carthen had issues in October 2023 where her Social Security number listed her as deceased, causing her to have “everything stripped” from her. She had to give up her home and couldn’t get a mortgage. She changed her name in 2021 and got a new Social Security number but still faced setbacks.
