Today, March 10, is Social Security’s National “Slam the Scam” Day

The Social Security Administration and the Office of the Inspector General (OIG) are partnering to raise public awareness about Social Security imposter scams during the third annual “Slam the Scam” Day today, March 10, according to David Melton, Social Security Public Information Officer who is headquartered in Winchester.

Melton said Social Security scams - where fraudsters attempt to mislead victims into making cash or gift card payments to fix purported Social Security number problems or to avoid arrest - are an ongoing government imposter fraud scheme.

For several years, the PIO added, Social Security impersonation scams have been one of the most common government imposter scams reported to the Federal Trade Commission.  Social Security has made concerted efforts to address this issue, and extensive outreach and investigative efforts are having a positive impact, decreasing scam reports to OIG by more than 20 percent since 2020.

Acting Social Security Commissioner Kilolo Kijakazi was quoted as saying, “I am proud of the work we have done to combat Social Security imposter scams, yet I remain deeply concerned that fraudsters continue trying to deceive people into providing personal information or money. Above all, I urge people to remain alert, hang up if a scammer calls, and ignore their attempts if you receive a suspicious email, text, or letter.”

According to the news release, criminals are sophisticated and there are many variations of this fraud scheme.  For example, scammers may call or email saying they are from Social Security and that the person’s Social Security number is suspended or was used in a crime.  The caller identification may be spoofed to appear as a legitimate government number.  The scammer may text or email fake documents in attempts to coerce people to comply with their demands. Another common tactic is citing “badge numbers.” 

Melton warned that in the latest development involving Social Security-related scams, criminals are using fraudulent Social Security letterhead to target individuals for money or personal information.

The PIO stated that:
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
• ask for gift cards or cash
• or promise a Social Security benefit approval or increase in exchange for information or money.

“As we continue working with our law enforcement partners and partners from the private sector to combat these sinister schemes, I urge consumers to simply hang up the phone, or delete suspicious texts and emails, without responding to the scammers,” Social Security Inspector General Gail Ennis said.  “That is the easiest and most effective way to avoid falling prey to these vicious scams.”

According to Melton, Social Security employees do occasionally contact the public by telephone for business purposes.  The Social Security spokesman explained that usually the agency calls people who have recently applied for a Social Security benefit, someone who is already receiving payments and requires an update to his or her record, or a person who has 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, Melton added.

To report a scam attempt, go to oig.ssa.gov.  For more information, go to http://www.socialsecurity.gov/scam and www.socialsecurity.gov/antifraudfacts/.