CANDLER, N.C. —

A North Carolina man is headed to prison for collecting the Social Security benefits intended for a dead person.

According to court documents, from 2015 to 2020, Mark Alan Barnes of Candler collected approximately $77,770 in Social Security retirement benefits intended for a beneficiary, who was dead. Instead of reporting the beneficiary’s death to the Social Security Administration (SSA) as required, Barnes continued to collect Social Security checks, using a debit card associated with the beneficiary’s bank account to withdraw funds from ATMs in the area. Latest Forecast

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The Social Security Administration’s Office of the Inspector General handled the investigation.

On Feb. 8, 2025, Barnes pleaded guilty to theft o

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