Social Security scams aren’t just limited to the end of the year, when we get statements and updates to our potential programs. A scammer can attack at any time across multiple channels: online, over the phone, and in the mail.
How can you determine a real communication from the Social Security Administration from a fake? According to the agency’s Office of the Inspector General, the details can help you determine if it’s legitimate or a scam. Here’s what to watch for when it comes to Social Security scams.
If You Receive a Social Security Call, Email, or Social Media Message, It’s a Scam
Scammers go out of their way to try and contact their targets using multiple mediums, including phone calls, email messages and through the U.S. Mail. Messages may include variations of the following alerts:
- “Social Security Account Issues Detected”
- “Suspension of Social Security Number Due to Criminal Activity”
- “A Warrant for Your Arrest has been Issued from Your Social Security Number”
The messages are designed to create high-pressure situations where someone will take immediate action in fear of their Social Security benefits being suspended or threat of being arrested for something they did not do. Their goal is to have their target dial a phone number to a scam center or respond to an electronic message, where they will continue to use aggressive tactics to steal money using a credit card, gift card, or cryptocurrency.
The Social Security Administration is advising the public to never give out personal information or payments to anyone claiming to be from their agency. If something doesn’t feel right, then stop and check if it resembles the signs of a scam.
How Will the Social Security Administration Contact Me?
In most situations, the Social Security Administration will contact you through the U.S. Mail. However, there are certain situations where an agent will call you over the phone. According to Social Security, you can expect a phone call when:
- You recently applied for a Social Security benefit.
- You are receiving payments and need to update your record.
- You requested a phone call from the Social Security Administration.
In addition, the Social Security Administration may send you an email as a review of a conversation over the phone or in person, or after an online action. You could also receive an email from Social Security to review your annual statement once per year.
There is no situation where the Social Security Administration will contact you by social media with a question or concern. Furthermore, the agency will never contact you over the phone or online to threaten you with arrest for an alleged crime, demand payment for fines or overpayments, or ask for your banking information to adjust your benefits. If you receive a call or message with any of these demands, do not click any links they send or engage at all with their demands. Instead, hang up or delete the message and do not speak to them further. You can report any fraud attempts to the Social Security Administration’s Office of the Inspector General at oig.ssa.gov.
Keeping your personal information safe starts with staying ahead of fraud attempts. By knowing the signs of a Social Security scam, you can protect yourself and loved ones from losing money or their identity through third-party attacks.