How GAO is Fighting Fraud and Reducing Improper Payments in Government Spending

The federal government loses hundreds of billions of dollars to fraud each year and millions more to payment errors—also known as improper payments. GAO helps federal understand the causes of these losses and works with them to reduce risks. We’ll learn more about this issue and GAO’s efforts from our experts Rebecca Shea and Heather Dunahoo. Released: June 2026 Transcript: https://www.gao.gov/assets/2026-05/Yo... Related GAO work: https://www.gao.gov/fraud-improper-pa... Learn more about GAO: gao.gov/about Check out the WatchBlog: gao.gov/blog Check out our Podcasts: gao.gov/podcast Follow GAO on Social Media: X.com/usgao Instagram.com/usgao LinkedIn.com/company/us-government Facebook.com/usgao General Information: The U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) is an independent, nonpartisan agency that works for Congress. Often called the "congressional watchdog," GAO investigates how the federal government spends taxpayer dollars. Mission: Our Mission is to support the Congress in meeting its constitutional responsibilities and to help improve the performance and ensure the accountability of the federal government for the benefit of the American people. We provide Congress with timely information that is objective, fact-based, nonpartisan, non-ideological, fair, and balanced. Disclaimer: The U.S. GAO does not promote or endorse any non-Government or commercial content appearing on this page. #GovernmentAccountabilityOffice #CongressionalWatchdog #GAO