Social Security and OIG Partner for National Slam the Scam Day
Reading Time: 3 MinutesLast Updated: March 6, 2025
The Social Security Administration (SSA) and its Office of the Inspector General (OIG) join forces once again to raise public awareness about Social Security imposter scams during the sixth annual “Slam the Scam” Day on March 6. Social Security related scams–where fraudsters mislead victims into sharing personal information, or making cash, wire transfer, or gift card payments to fix alleged Social Security number problems –are an ongoing government imposter fraud scheme.
Social Security impersonation scams impact all age groups and remain one of the most common government imposter scams reported to the Federal Trade Commission.
Social Security continues to make concerted efforts to address this issue, through extensive outreach and investigative initiatives.
“I strongly urge our citizens to be vigilant and protect themselves from criminal threats,” said Lee Dudek, Acting Commissioner of Social Security. “Scammers use fear and pressure to steal money or personal information and I implore Americans to hang up, ignore the messages, and report any scam attempts to oig.ssa.gov.”
Social Security will never tell you that your Social Security number is suspended; contact you to demand an immediate payment; threaten you with arrest; ask for your credit or debit card numbers over the phone; request gift cards, wire transfer, gold, cash, cryptocurrency; or promise a Social Security benefit approval or increase in exchange for information or money.
Criminals use sophisticated tactics to trick potential victims into disclosing personal and financial information. Be skeptical and on the lookout for these red flags: Typically, they use these P’s – Pretend, Prize or Problem, Pressure, and Payment. For example, scammers pretend they are from Social Security in phone calls, texts, emails, websites, or direct messages on social media, and claim there is a problem with the person’s Social Security benefits or Social Security number. The scammer’s caller ID may be spoofed to look like a legitimate government number. Scammers may also send fake documents to pressure people into complying with demands for information or money. Other common tactics include citing “badge numbers,” using fraudulent Social Security letterhead, and creating imposter social media pages to target individuals for payment or personal information.
“Slam the Scam is one of our most effective anti-fraud measures and we are excited to spearhead the 6th National Slam the Scam Day. This campaign is just as significant as our first one because the losses are still too high and the number of consumers being scammed is still very concerning,” said Assistant Inspector General for Audit performing the duties of the Inspector General, Michelle L. Anderson.
Social Security employees do contact the public by telephone for business purposes. Ordinarily, the agency calls people who have recently applied for a Social Security benefit, are already receiving payments and require an update to their record, or have requested a phone call from the agency. If there is a problem with a person’s Social Security number or record, Social Security will typically mail a letter.
Beware of new scams related to the Social Security Fairness Act. For information, please visit Social Security Announces Expedited Retroactive Payments and Higher Monthly Benefits for Millions and Social Security Fairness Act: Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and Government Pension Offset (GPO) update.
To report a scam attempt, go to oig.ssa.gov. For more information, please visit www.ssa.gov/scam and www.ssa.gov/fraud.
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Renee Y.
I had my SSD check stolen it was done over the phone. SSD needs to have Strict Policy that makes you go to an office and bring an ID for proof of who you are. That is for anything, example: change of address, change of bank account Anything. My bank account was change to a California address and I live in PA. RED FLAG. They-SSD, says it takes a month or 2 so you should keep your old account open until this happens. It took 9 DAYS for them to change my bank account information to The THEFT who had it go to his bank account and it took them 14 DAYS for me to get my money. What about my late fees, aggravation, time spent driving back and forth, reporting it to PA police. I can’t get information from the CA police SSD needs to do that. I pretty much was told that they will not be able to find out who did this and they’re not going to reimburse me for anything. I got my check- there job is done. They can easily trace the BNC #. That references your SSD#. IF ANYONE HAS ANY SUGGESTIONS OR AN ATTORNEY THAT THEY RECCOMEND PLEASE SEND IT TO ME.
Tiffany S.
Same thing just happened to my mom. I think ssa should pay her back for her loss.
Leech
Keep up the good work, Elon!!
quacy m.
raheem mcleod illegal friends is looking at my social security money and snap food for illegal usage
Charlie
I agree, they are frauding the American people bc of their greed. It’s not going to get them no where bc I understand most of them don’t believe in nothing but themselves. That’s it! Even our elected officials bc they are being paid off to do whatever the oligarchs want them to do. I have talked to politicians from both sides and they have said this especially with the Republicans. We will have nothing if this administration with our president musk and his minions are running things. Even the middle class will be sleeping on the streets. Look what they are already doing to our veterans, that’s bc we have Noone that care or knows what’s going on in the White House or otherwise.
ch t.
Making SSI applications more accessible online is a crucial step in helping more people receive the support they need. Streamlining the process can make a big difference. Similarly, 3patticrown.me provides a seamless online experience in its own space.
Uldarico I.
How do I get my SSA benefits from my Company Incorporated.?
Bob Z.
Were all comments deleted?
Justina
Dudek was quoted today as saying DOGE would make mistakes at ssa. What is SSA doing to protect our data from DOGE?
Do SSA recipients need to band together fir a class action suit to protect ourselves? Any legal folks out there with suggestions?
Bob Z.
The Social Security Administration announces “Slam the Scam” Day – “where fraudsters mislead victims into sharing personal information…” You mean the unelected bureaucrat with the initials E.M.?
F. K.
He has hundreds of accounts on X trying to get people like me on a limited income give him money to invest in Tesla. He could easily shut down those imposter accounts requesting money. No he lets them badgering Seniors for their SS income. Maybe they really are Elon Musk they swear they are. Shame a rich man trying to defraud seniors on limited income
X
Gee, won’t the doge boys protect the database? 😆
F. K.
Agree completely. On another note I’m a widow and did not work as long as I would have liked to if my family had protected me from Adverse Childhood Events. I do not make as much as my sister and brother who did not suffer such events. Bring a widow and financially struggling use to mean thieves had to be the most gawd awful people to steal from widows or children. No more! I’m considered. Rich because I get a tiny check. Able body men like Jerry Mejia of Tucson promised to provide nutritional supplements for my psoriatic arthritis. He is a contractor and makes good money . He has no shame that he won’t return the money since he did not provide the nutritional supplement that he promised. Why don’t people )especially grown men not feel shame to steal from widows on disability. They have no morals or respect for those of us forced to make do without family, beloved spouse and injure and insult us further by stealing money that doesn’t belong to him. I believe karma will eventually punish such evil since it is a he said. She said situation. I will never trust again because I have no food for a month.
Candido I.
Comisionado Lee estoy mirando muy a menudo que están anunciando por la TV que uno puede pedir una tarjeta hasta de $900.00 y que esta disponible para las personas que califican y dan un número, me puede aclarar si esto es un tipo de fraude.
Commissioner Lee, I am seeing very often that they are advertising on TV that one can request a card of up to $900.00 and that it is available to people who qualify and give a number. Can you clarify for me if this is a type of fraud?