WinCU Family & Friends Blog
Stop Social Security- related scams
Mar 2, 2023, 20:13 PM
by
Dana Racine
The Social Security Administration is dedicating March 9, 2023 to its National Slam the Scam Day. Help raise awareness of the criminals trying to steal people's money and personal information - signs of a scam, tactics, and how to report a social security scam.
On National Slam the Scam Day and throughout the year, Social Security provides the tools to recognize Social Security-related scams and stop scammers from stealing your money and personal information. Share scam information with your loved ones. Slam the Scam!
Recognize the four basic signs of a scam:
- Scammers pretend to be from a familiar organization or agency, like the Social Security Administration. They may email attachments with official-looking logos, seals, signatures, or pictures of employee credentials.
- Scammers mention a problem or a prize. They may say your Social Security number was involved in a crime or ask for personal information to process a benefit increase.
- Scammers pressure you to act immediately. They may threaten you with arrest or legal action.
- Scammers tell you to pay using a gift card, prepaid debit card, cryptocurrency, wire or money transfer, or by mailing cash. They may also tell you to transfer your money to a “safe” account.
Ignore scammers and report criminal behavior. Report Social Security-related scams to the SSA Office of the Inspector General (OIG). Report a Scam