New York-based publisher Welcome Rain has agreed to pay a $22,500 to settle the U.S. government’s claim that the publisher’s Social Security guide gives the impression that it's an official government publication.

The Social Security Administration (SSA) also charged in the civil suit that the publisher was using marketing practices that “conveyed” the book—entitled “Official Social Security Administration Answers to 100 Frequently Asked Questions about Retirement”—was approved, endorsed or authorized by SSA.

Publisher Welcome Rain did not answer the phone when called at its New York City headquarters.

The SSA took issue with the book’s cover, which includes the words “Official” and “Social Security Administration,” along with an image of a bald eagle, which is commonly associated with SSA and the Federal government.

The book’s marketing campaign also identified SSA as the book’s author, the government claimed.

“The Office of the Inspector General (OIG) determined the book’s design and publisher’s marketing practices had the potential to lead consumers to believe they were purchasing or reviewing an official SSA publication,” OIG said in a statement.

Welcome Rain cooperated with the OIG inquiry; without admitting to violating the law, it agreed to discontinue publishing, marketing, distributing and selling the book, in addition to paying the $22,500 penalty, OIG said.
Welcome Rain and its book violated Section 1140 of the Social Security Act, the OIG said.

The law “prohibits people and companies from misleading consumers through various communications by giving a false impression of association with or endorsement by SSA."

The Social Security Act also “prohibits reproducing and selling Social Security publications and forms without authorization, as well as charging for services SSA provides free without providing proper notices.”

The OIG can impose civil monetary penalties against individuals and organizations that violate the Social Security Act.

All monies collected go directly to SSA’s Old Age and Survivors Trust Fund, the SSA said.