Breaking Down the New Executive Order: How the Federal Task Force Aims to Eliminate Fraud

As government programs expand in scale and complexity, entities face growing exposure to fraud, waste, and abuse. The Government Accountability Office (GAO) estimates that the federal government loses between $200 - $500 billion annually to fraud. 

 In efforts to mitigate this risk, the current administration has established a new executive order, creating a federal Task Force to Eliminate Fraud. Signed on March 16, 2026, the Task Force emphasizes the government's initiative to combat widespread fraud, waste, and abuse in Federal benefit programs and signals heightened scrutiny for entities involved in administering or servicing those programs as agencies implement the order.  

Key Takeaways 

• The new executive order establishes a federal Task Force to Eliminate Fraud, aiming to mitigate fraud, waste, and abuse in Federal benefit programs. 
• The Task Force will coordinate and accelerate agency efforts to improve eligibility verification, develop pre-obligation and pre-disbursement controls, identify fraud trends, improve data sharing, and adopt minimum anti-fraud requirements.  
• Entities involved in administering or servicing Federal benefit programs must prepare for additional anti-fraud requirements as implementation develops. 
• It’s recommended to proactively prepare and remain audit-ready. Organizations should conduct fraud risk assessments, establish robust internal controls, and foster a compliance-first environment. 

Understanding the Executive Order  

To understand the full scope of the Executive Order, it is essential to understand its core objectives. Let’s break down the Task Force to Eliminate Fraud by answering key questions. 

What Is the Task Force to Eliminate Fraud?  

The Task Force to Eliminate Fraud is established to stop fraud, waste, and abuse across federal benefit programs, such as housing, food, medical, and cash assistance.  

How Does the Task Force Aim to Mitigate Fraud?  

The Task Force strives to coordinate member-agency efforts and accelerate a national strategy to further its mission of fraud, waste, and abuse prevention. The order directs the Task Force to coordinate agency work to:  

• Improve eligibility verification  
• Implement controls before funds are obligated and disbursed 
• Identify high-risk fraud trends  
• Detect, disrupt, and dismantle fraud networks  
• Develop anti-fraud requirements  
• Audit and ensure prospective compliance monitoring 
• Frequently provide updates to the President 

What Is the Purpose of Establishing Anti-Fraud Requirements?  

The purpose of establishing minimum anti-fraud requirements is to prevent fraud and close loopholes that allow for systemic abuse in Federal benefit programs. The executive order also provides that State, local, territorial, and tribal jurisdictions administering transactions and processes involving Federal funding may need to demonstrate that anti-fraud safeguards have been implemented, and it directs the Task Force and member agencies to consider whether Federal funds may be withheld when those safeguards are not in place.  

Strategies to Align with the Executive Order

This order signifies that change is not only necessary but impending. The executive order specifically contemplates audits, prospective compliance monitoring, and remedial measures as part of the government’s anti-fraud framework. As requirements develop, entities involved in administering or servicing Federal benefit programs may face increased expectations around documentation, internal controls, compliance oversight, reporting, and audit readiness. Although the full requirements created by the Task Force are still forthcoming, organizations should take proactive steps now:

• Conduct fraud risk assessments  
• Establish robust internal controls  
• Foster a compliance-first environment  
• Train staff on fraud indicators  
• Strengthen eligibility and vendor vetting  

By maintaining an audit-ready posture, organizations are positioned to act quickly, responsively, and resiliently as new requirements take effect.

At EisnerAmper, our team helps organizations understand evolving Federal requirements, mitigate fraud risks, and navigate complex landscapes confidently. For assistance assessing audit readiness or understanding how this executive order may affect your organization, contact us below.