Recently, the Social Security Administration (SSA) in conjunction with The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), hosted an online webinar to discuss methods for avoiding imposter scams. They shared statistics on imposter scams and details on how to avoid getting trapped by them.
Government imposter scams are one of the fastest-growing types of fraud in the United States and Social Security and disability beneficiaries are frequently targeted. According to the FTC, reports of these scams have increased by more than 30 percent since 2022, with financial losses rising over 60 percent and totaling more than $120 million. In many cases, scammers pose as representatives from trusted government agencies such as the SSA, FTC, SEC, or even as Social Security or disability lawyers, in order to trick individuals into providing money or personal information. These scams often begin with fake alerts claiming there is a problem with your Social Security number, benefits, bank account, or identity, and they rely on fear and urgency to pressure victims into acting quickly.
Scammers may claim that your account has been hacked or that your benefits are in danger and instruct you to “protect” your money by transferring it to a so-called safe account, withdrawing cash or gold for pickup, or depositing funds into cryptocurrency. Government agencies have made it clear that these demands are always a scam. The FTC will never ask you to move your money, pay with cash, gold, gift cards, or cryptocurrency, or provide badge numbers as proof of identity. Similarly, the SEC does not endorse investments, assist with buying or selling securities, facilitate money transfers, or make unsolicited requests for detailed personal information. The SSA also mentioned that some scammers may specifically state that a beneficiary owes the SSA money and that their benefits will be suspended unless that payment is made, similar to the language used by SSA when they notify beneficiaries about an overpayment. It is important to verify an alleged overpayment notification with a trusted SSA office or phone number, or even through your MySSA account before making these payments. Scammers may also impersonate legitimate investment professionals or create fake social media profiles, group chats, or forums that appear credible at first glance.
The Social Security Administration has also reported a rise in phishing emails, text messages, phone calls, and even in-person impersonation attempts. Common warning signs include spelling or grammatical errors, unusually long or misleading web links that include official-sounding names, websites that lack “https” or “.gov,” requests for personal or financial information, and high-pressure tactics demanding immediate action. The SSA does not communicate with the public through direct messages on social media, does not charge for forms or services that are free, and does not send representatives door-to-door. Official SSA social media accounts are verified and accessible through the Social Security Administration website. Get familiar with how their official website looks so that you can make sure you are looking at the correct one.Legitimate government agencies will always respect your wishes, allow time to verify information, and never pressure you to act immediately.
If you are contacted by someone claiming to represent a government agency, take a moment to pause and verify the information independently by looking up official contact information yourself. Do not share personal or financial details, and consider speaking with a trusted family member, attorney, or advocate before taking any action. Suspected scams should be reported directly to the agency being impersonated and, when appropriate, to local law enforcement. Reporting scams helps protect not only you but others in your community as well. Awareness events such as “Slam the Scam,” held during National Scam Awareness Week in March, highlight the importance of staying informed. Remember, knowledge is your strongest defense. When in doubt, slow down, verify, and never feel pressured to act.