Advanced technology will strengthen the SBA’s fraud analysis and enforcement efforts on behalf of small businesses and taxpayers
WASHINGTON, July 14, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — WASHINGTON – Today, the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) announced a new phase of its anti-fraud initiative, leveraging Palantir Technologies’ (Palantir) software to advance the agency’s ongoing efforts to identify, investigate and prosecute fraud in pandemic-era small business relief programs, including the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) and the COVID Economic Injury Disaster Loan (COVID EIDL) program. This collaboration formalizes the agency’s fraud prevention pilot program launched earlier this year with Palantir software, which leverages advanced technology and artificial intelligence to uncover data and leads, support law enforcement, and help recover funds for American taxpayers.
“Under the Biden administration, the SBA’s pandemic relief programs experienced a staggering level of abuse, depriving taxpayers and small businesses alike and accounting for up to 20% of the more than $1.2 trillion in aid to Main Street.” said SBA Administrator Kelly Loeffler. “The Trump SBA’s initiative, powered by Palantir software, will strengthen our ability to detect fraudulent actors, support law enforcement efforts, and recover stolen funds using advanced technology and artificial intelligence. No amount of fraud is acceptable – whether it is $10,000 or $10 million – which is why the SBA is using these tools to accelerate our work to uncover wrongdoing and ensure that those who defrauded taxpayer-funded programs face consequences. The American people deserve accountability and a federal government that has it.” Controls to prevent fraud in the first place, and that’s exactly what the SBA will continue to do.”
Palantir software will enhance the SBA’s data analytics capabilities to support its fraud detection efforts as the agency continues to combat fraud in COVID-era relief programs in coordination with the White House Fraud Elimination Task Force, the U.S. Department of Justice, the SBA’s Office of Inspector General, and other law enforcement partners. These tools enable the agency to analyze large data sets, flag anomalies, identify potential indicators for coordinated action, expedite investigative leads, and identify funds obtained through false or fraudulent claims for further action.
The initiative advances the SBA’s ongoing federal efforts to root out pandemic relief fraud, recover taxpayer dollars, and hold bad actors accountable. So far, the agency has announced the suspension of over 150,000 pandemic borrowers in five states linked to over $10 billion in suspected fraud. Suspended borrowers are prohibited from receiving small business and disaster loans in the future and are ineligible for other SBA programs such as federal contracts under the 8(a) Business Development Program. Previous bans include:
112,000 California borrowers are linked to $8.6 billion in suspected fraud
27,000 borrowers in Ohio are linked to $1.1 billion in suspected fraud
6,900 Minnesota borrowers face charges for suspected $400 million fraud
1,500 Maine borrowers face charges for suspected $93 million fraud
7,800 Wisconsin borrowers face charges for suspected $375 million fraud
Working with the White House Anti-Fraud Task Force, the SBA also launched its largest anti-fraud effort to date – and the largest remittance package in the agency’s history – by transferring more than 560,000 suspected fraudulent borrowers related to $22 billion in pandemic-era loans to the U.S. Treasury for collection.
As these efforts continue, the SBA remains committed to rigorous oversight, strong interagency coordination, and accountability for those who defrauded legitimate small business assistance programs, as well as implementing preventative measures in its ongoing programs.
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About the US Small Business Administration
The U.S. Small Business Administration helps advance the American dream of entrepreneurship. As the leading voice for small businesses within the federal government, the SBA provides job creators the resources and support they need to start, grow and expand their business or recover from a declared disaster. It provides services through an extensive network of SBA field offices and partnerships with public and private organizations. For more information, visit www.sba.gov.
https://finance.yahoo.com/small-business/articles/sba-expands-palantir-software-accelerate-182200773.html
