Scammers prey upon your respect for authority when they pretend to be employees of the Social Security Administration during telephone calls or within emails. By inventing problems about your social security number or benefits, these impersonators want to elicit strong emotions like fear and confusion to cause you to suspend your normal cautionary judgment used when receiving an unexpected email or telephone call
Impersonation fraud is not limited to any particular age group. However, it has been more successful with older adults than younger ones. In fact, it is considered one of the contributing factors for the higher losses caused to people over 50 through Social Security fraud scams. Scam victims over 85 years old reported losses in 2022 that were 500% higher than those experienced by victims who were under 30 years old. There is not much difference for victims who were within the 50 to 69 age range because their losses were 477% higher than those of victims under 30.
This article is not intended to stop readers from respecting legitimate authority, rather encourages individuals to step back before responding to a call or email from someone claiming to represent the Social Security Administration. The agency will never
· Threaten you with arrest or legal action
· Suspend your Social Security Number
· Claim to need your personal information to activate a cost of living adjustment or increase a benefit
· Ask you to pay with gift cards, prepaid debit cards, wire transfers, cash, or cryptocurrency
· Demand secrecy
· Direct message you on social media
Regardless as to whether the impersonator threatens an individual’s benefits or liberty, scam targets can avoid becoming scam victims by remembering to:
1. Remain calm. Take a deep breath and check your impulses. Talk to someone you trust.
2. Hang up or ignore the message. Do not click on links or attachments.
3. Protect your personal information. Even if the caller or email provides some of your personal information, remain cautious.
Hopefully, these tips will keep you in control of your money, your information, and your peace of mind.
If you believe you have been targeted by a Social Security scam, please report it to the Social Security Administration Office of the Inspector General at oig.ssa.gov/report
