COVID-19, Frauds & Scams

Inspector General Warns About New Social Security Benefit Suspension Scam

March 27, 2020 • By

Reading Time: 2 Minutes

Last Updated: February 21, 2023

Today, I am warning the public about fraudulent letters threatening suspension of Social Security benefits due to COVID-19 or coronavirus-related office closures. Social Security will not suspend or discontinue benefits because their offices are closed.

The Social Security Office of the Inspector General has received reports that Social Security beneficiaries have received letters through the U.S. Mail stating their payments will be suspended or discontinued unless they call a phone number referenced in the letter. Scammers may then mislead beneficiaries into providing personal information or payment via retail gift cards, wire transfers, internet currency, or by mailing cash, to maintain regular benefit payments during this period of COVID-19 office closures.

As of Tuesday, March 17, 2020, local Social Security offices are closed to the public due to COVID-19 concerns. However, Social Security employees continue to work. Social Security will not suspend or decrease Social Security benefit payments or Supplemental Security Income payments due to the current COVID-19 pandemic. Any communication you receive that says Social Security will do so is a scam, whether you receive it by letter, text, email, or phone call.

Social Security will never:

  • Threaten you with benefit suspension, arrest, or other legal action unless you pay a fine or fee.
  • Promise a benefit increase or other assistance in exchange for payment.
  • Require payment by retail gift card, cash, wire transfer, internet currency, or prepaid debit card.
  • Demand secrecy from you in handling a Social Security-related problem.
  • Send official letters or reports containing personally identifiable information via email.

If you receive a letter, text, call or email that you believe to be suspicious, about an alleged problem with your Social Security number, account, or payments, hang up or do not respond. We encourage you to report Social Security scams using our dedicated online form. Please share this information with your friends and family, to help spread awareness about Social Security scams.

Did you find this Information helpful?

Yes
No
Thanks for your feedback!

Tags: , ,

See Comments

About the Author

Gail S. Ennis, Inspector General for Social Security

Gail S. Ennis, Inspector General for Social Security

Comments

  1. Harold G.

    I am understanding a new and unusual kind of fraud going on since the beginning of the Coronavirus Pandemic that I would like for the Administration to “examine” and that many benefactors could be going through the same problem where landowners and motel operators raise rent rates to astronomically high prices to force homelessness on benefactors for not having enough funds to pay their “inflation scam”… This is a complaint!

  2. Bizzlibrary

    Hi,i completely read the blog and i completely agree with the information. The blog are very informative for me and others , The information really impress me. i also read the blogs from other website about same topic they also provide good information . Bizz library is one of them.This website also provide good information i give link below you can also check the website
    web: https://www.bizzlibrary.com/Template/PV1VN/tax-manager-cover-letter/

    • Harold G.

      I am understanding a new and unusual kind of fraud going on since the beginning of the Coronavirus Pandemic that I would like for the Administration to “examine” and that many benefactors could be going through the same problem where landowners and motel operators raise rent rates to astronomically high prices to force homelessness on benefactors for not having enough funds to pay their “inflation scam”… This is a complaint!

Comments are closed.