Elon Musk backed off his reported plot to cut off phone service for the public to the Social Security Administration following a hot cascade of criticism from Americans and their lawmakers. Young DOGE staff complained to Social Security officials about phone fraud they have yet to reveal or prove,

The agency will move ahead with a much narrower revision eliminating direct deposit changes by phone amid DOGE fraud concerns.

The Social Security Administration, under pressure from Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency, briefly considered suspending its phone services for filing claims, alarming many elderly and disabled individuals.