Social Security Scams

Criminals pretend to be from Social Security. They might call, text, write letters, send emails 📨, or even message you on Facebook.

🔍 How to Spot a Scam

1. They fake being from SSA.
• They might use real names you recognize or fake official numbers. Even local police numbers might show on your caller ID (ssa.gov, apnews.com).
2. They claim there's a problem.
• “Your Social Security number is frozen.”
• “You owe money.”
• “Your account was hacked.”
• They try to make you worried so you act fast (ssa.gov, ncoa.org).
3. They pressure you to act right away.
• They say you’ll be arrested, lose your money, or miss benefits if you don’t do something fast (ssa.gov).
4. They ask for money or personal info in strange ways.
• Gift cards
• Bitcoin
• Wire transfer
• Cash in the mail
• Or ask for your Social Security number, bank account, or password (ssa.gov, nypost.com).

🚫 What SSA Will Never Do

• Threaten to arrest you if you don’t pay.
• Say your Social Security number will be suspended.
• Tell you to pay to get a benefit increase or cost-of-living raise.
• Ask you to move your money to a “special safe account.”
• Request gift cards, cryptocurrency, or cash mailed in.
• Contact you for personal info via texts, emails, letters, or social media if you did not ask them to (ncoa.org, ssa.gov).

✅ What You Should Do

1. Hang up if you get a scary or strange call.
2. Don’t click on links in emails or texts.
3. Never give personal info unless you called SSA or they sent a letter first.
4. Ask a trusted person—maybe a family member or neighbor—if you're unsure.
5. Tell others about the scam to help protect them.
6. Report it to SSA’s Office of Inspector General by calling 1‑800‑269‑0271 or visiting oig.ssa.gov/report (ssa.gov).

🧠 Quick Guide: Is it a Scam?

Red Flag	What It Means
“You’ll be arrested” or “benefits stopped” unless you pay now	❌ Scam
They want gift cards, Bitcoin, or mailed cash	❌ Scam
They pressure you to act fast and in secret	❌ Scam
They ask for sensitive info unexpectedly	❌ Scam
They send official-looking documents or numbers	😟 Be careful—still might be fake (oig.ssa.gov)

📝 If It Happens to You:

• Save the message or write down details (date, number, what they said).
• Hang up or delete the message.
• Tell someone you trust so they can check with you.
• Report it at 1‑800‑269‑0271 or oig.ssa.gov/report.

Bottom Line:
If someone you didn’t contact calls, texts, emails, or messages pretending to be SSA and asks for money or private info—that’s always a scam. SSA will never contact you that way. When in doubt, hang up and call the real SSA yourself at 1‑800‑772‑1213.

Stay safe and spread the word!