How to Avoid Social Security Scams

According to the Social Security Administration (SSA), Americans have lost more than $50 million over the last two years to Social Security scams—and that’s just from telephone scams.

Unfortunately, the telephone isn’t the only method used. Between October 1, 2018 and September 30, 2019, more than 450,000 Americans reported being contacted by Social Security scammers by phone, email, or even physical mail.

To help you avoid becoming a victim, consider this your guide to what tactics are commonly used, what to look for if you’re being targeted, and what to do to avoid the growing number of Social Security scams.

 

Common Social Security Scam Tactics: What to be Aware of

Fraudsters often use three different avenues to gain your Social Security information: telephone, email, and direct mail.

 

Telephone

Not all scams take place online. Because Social Security benefits are by and large received by the elderly, fraudsters often target their victims using more traditional methods like the telephone.

Common phone scams you may encounter include:

• • • Conducting a seemingly innocuous phone survey designed to gather your personal information. Some questions are intended to gather answers to frequently used security questions, which could allow someone to access your account without directly acquiring personal information such as your Social Security number (SSN).
    • Claiming your Social Security information has been lost and your benefits will be held until it has been re-entered.
    • Warning you that your SSN has been suspended in connection to criminal activity.
    • Selling existing Social Security services that are free. This might include enrolling another member of the family, sharing records of your Social Security contributions, or providing an estimate of income you might expect down the road.

 

Email

Using an email scam known as phishing, a fraudster will attempt to gain your personal information by pretending to be a reputable company, organization, or institution. Specific to Social Security, scammers will send an email that seems to be from the SSA, in some cases impersonating an actual agency official.

Employing a duplicate SSA email template, similar font styles, and official-sounding language, Social Security “phishers” may ask you to fill out a form related to your benefits or to visit a website to update your annual cost-of-living adjustment—all to capture sensitive information and steal your identity.

 

Direct Mail

Yes, scams still occur through the postal service (and other mail carriers). One example is a letter that offers you an extra Social Security check (or other increases in benefits) provided you complete the enclosed form and include the necessary “filing fee.”

 

Signs of a Scam: What to Look for

How can you tell if you’re being scammed? Fraud techniques have grown more and more sophisticated and can sometimes be a challenge to identify. While you can never predict what a scammer may or may not do, here are a few signs to help you spot the difference between a Social Security scam and valid outreach from the Social Security Administration.

 

A Social Security scammer…	The Social Security Administration…
Requests your personal information.	Already has your SSN!
Includes attachments with personal information.	Never emails documents that contain personally identifiable details.
Demands immediate payments using specific methods such as mailing cash, wire transfers, internet currency, retail gift cards, or prepaid debit cards.	Sends a letter with instructions and payment options—and multiple notices before it becomes urgent.
Offers benefits in exchange for payment or personal information.	Does not offer “quid pro quo” assistance.
Threatens to suspend your SSN, take legal action against you, or other sudden consequences using intimidating language.	Won’t ever block or suspend your SSN, or threaten your arrest over unpaid debts, fines or fees.
Can contain typos and poor grammar.	Will be well-written—though this alone doesn’t mean it’s a legitimate request.
Calls or texts you without solicitation.	Will call regarding an ongoing matter or after having already contacted you, except in rare instances.
Pressures you to be secretive about your purported Social Security matter, which may include inventing a story to tell family, friends, and your financial institution.	Has nothing to hide and will be transparent in addressing any issues with your account.