In our class on recognizing and avoiding Social Security scams, we discussed how criminals impersonate the Social Security Administration (SSA) to steal personal information or money. These scams can occur through phone calls, emails, texts, social media messages, or letters. Understanding how these scams operate and knowing how to protect yourself is crucial.

Key Takeaways and Next Steps:

Recognize the Signs:
Scammers pretend to be from an agency or organization you know to gain your trust.
Scammers say there is a problem or a prize.
Scammers pressure you to act immediately.
Scammers tell you to pay in a specific way.
Common Tactics Used by Scammers:
Threats and Pressure: Scammers may threaten you with arrest or legal action if you don’t comply immediately.
Suspension of Benefits: They might claim your Social Security number is suspended due to suspicious activity.
Payment Demands: They ask for payment to resolve issues or to activate benefits like cost-of-living adjustments (COLA).
Spoofing: Scammers can "spoof" phone numbers to make it look like they're calling from an official SSA number or local police department.
How to Avoid Being Scammed:
Stay Calm: If you receive a communication that causes alarm, take a deep breath and do not react immediately. Discuss it with someone you trust.
Hang Up and Ignore: If you receive a suspicious call or message, hang up or ignore it. Do not click on links or attachments in emails or texts.
Protect Your Money: Never make payments with gift cards, prepaid debit cards, wire transfers, or cryptocurrency. The SSA will never ask for these forms of payment.
Guard Personal Information: Be wary of any requests for personal information, especially if unsolicited. The SSA will not ask for sensitive information through email or social media.
Steps to Take if You’ve Been Scammed:
Stop Contact: Cease all communication with the scammer. Do not respond to their messages or calls.
Notify Credit Bureaus: Contact Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion to place a fraud alert on your credit report.
Protect Your Social Security Number: Consider requesting a replacement SSN card or a new SSN if your number has been compromised.
Report the Scam: Inform the Office of the Inspector General (OIG) by visiting oig.ssa.gov/report . Additionally, you can use USA.gov’s tool to report other types of scams.
How to Report Scams:
Inform Authorities: Reporting scams provides data that helps authorities identify trends, refine strategies, and take legal action against scammers.
Use Official Channels: Report scams to the SSA OIG and follow their guidelines to provide necessary details.

Resource: Social Security - Protect Yourself from Scams