Those age 50-59 made the most reports to the IG of actually having paid money to a scammer. Image: Lane V. Erickson/Shutterstock.com
By: FEDweek StaffImposter scams targeting Social Security reported to the SSA inspector general’s office have trended up this year, about doubling to nearly 10,000 per month, but that remains well below the peak levels of several years ago, the IG has said.
“Annually, Social Security-related scam reports have decreased significantly since FY 2021, and according to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), imposter scam complaints across the government have declined since 2021. However, Social Security-related scams remain the top government imposter type reported to the FTC. Therefore, while the decline is promising, SSA OIG and SSA continue to fight these scams,” it said.
It said the most common characteristics of such scams include an assertion that there is something wrong with the individual’s Social Security number, impersonation of federal, state or local government officials, use of official government logos in communications such as email, and an assertion that there is something wrong with the individual’s benefit payment.
By age group, those age 50-59 made the most reports to the IG of actually having paid money to the scammer, while those 60-84 reported losing the most money on average.
One common scam involves phishing schemes, where perpetrators send emails or texts that appear to come from the SSA. These messages typically contain urgent language, prompting recipients to verify their personal information or face consequences such as suspension of benefits.
Another common type of scam is the phone call hoax, where fraudsters impersonate SSA officials and claim that the individual’s Social Security number has been compromised or is at risk. They frighten the victim with threats of legal action or imprisonment unless immediate payment is made or sensitive information is provided.
Identity theft is another problem, where scammers might use stolen personal information to file for benefits in someone else’s name or redirect benefits to different bank accounts.
Protect yourself by not providing personal information over the phone or email unless you are certain of the authenticity of the request (for example, if you are contacted, reach out to SSA directly through customer service and explain you were contacted rather than engaging with an email or phone call made to you).
Always verify the source by contacting the SSA directly through official channels, and remember that the SSA typically communicates by mail rather than electronic means.
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