Phone calls, texts, emails, websites, social media messages and even the U.S. mail! There are so many clever ways scammers are disguising themselves to look and sound official in order to manipulate you out of your hard-earned money—and it’s getting increasingly difficult to spot them.
A little knowledge and awareness can go a long way to avoid becoming a victim. That’s why in 2020 the Social Security Administration’s Inspector General created National Slam the Scam Day as part of the Federal Trade Commission’s annual National Consumer Protection Week, which in 2024 runs from March 3-9. Together, these observances aim to help us understand our consumer rights and avoid frauds and scams by keeping us informed of the continually evolving tactics scammers use.
Slam the Scam Day specifically aims to raise public awareness and educate us on ways to spot, report and avoid Social Security-related scams. These are the traps we’re hearing about more than ever—scam artists who are so good at their craft you might even describe them as dramatic actors . . . impersonating government employees to gain your trust and steal your money and personally identifiable information.
“As our fifth National Slam the Scam Day approaches, we are just as committed as we were in 2020. The scammers have not stopped, and we will not stop in our commitment to increase public awareness of these pervasive scams,” said Gail S. Ennis, Inspector General for the Social Security Administration (SSA). “We must continue to work together to slam the scam.”
Awareness and Education are Key
On National Slam the Scam Day and throughout the year, the SSA provides tools to recognize Social Security-related scams. Help protect your loved ones and people in your community this Slam the Scam Day by:
- Educating them about government imposter scams. Let them know they shouldn’t be embarrassed to report if they shared personal information or suffered a financial loss. It is important to report the scam as quickly as possible.
- Sharing our Scam Alert fact sheet and helping educate others about how to protect themselves.
- Reporting Social Security-related scams to the Social Security Office of the Inspector General (OIG).
Guard Against Imposter Schemes
Surprised to get that letter from Social Security? You should take a second look. And then another. Scammers are targeting individuals by producing highly authentic-looking fake letters, complete with letterhead, that appear to be from the Social Security Administration (SSA), Office of the Inspector General (OIG), Federal Trade Commission (FTC), FBI, State Department, and even your local sheriff—you name it, they’re impersonating it. The intent remains the same—to steal your life savings or your identity.
Always Remember!
Be extra cautious of any contact claiming to be from a government agency telling you about a surprising problem—even if it sounds real.
Government officials will NEVER:
- threaten arrest or legal action against you unless you immediately send money;
- ask you to pay fines or fees with retail gift cards, prepaid debit cards, wire transfers, crypto “coin” currency, or by mailing cash; or
- promise to increase your benefits or resolve a problem if you pay a fee or move your money into a protected account.
These types of scam artists may even try to gain your trust by providing fake “documentation,” false “evidence,” or the name or identification of a real government official . . . BUT DON’T FALL FOR IT.
If you receive these calls or texts, hang up or ignore them, and talk to friends and family to make sure they do the same!
Looking for more ways to protect yourself from fraud, identity theft, and scams?
The Social Security Administration provides resources on its website and posts tips and warnings about past and current scam trends on its social media platforms.
Visit ssa.gov/scam for more information and follow SSA OIG on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn to stay up to date on the latest scam tactics. Repost #SlamtheScam information on social media to keep your friends and family safe.