National “Slam the Scam” Day
Reading Time: 2 MinutesLast Updated: March 5, 2020
Today is National “Slam the Scam” Day! What does that mean?
We created National “Slam the Scam” Day to warn Americans about widespread phone scams where callers impersonate government officials, most often Social Security, to gain your trust and steal your money. The most effective way to defeat scammers is by knowing how to identify scams, then hanging up or ignoring the calls.
What you can do
If you get a Social Security scam phone call, hang up, report it to my office at https://oig.ssa.gov, and tell your family and friends about it!
Today and every day, we are telling as many people as we can that government agencies will never:
- Call you unsolicited to suspend your Social Security number, tell you about crimes committed in your name, or offer to resolve identity theft or a benefit problem in exchange for payment.
- Insist you pay fines, fees, or debts immediately with retail gift cards, prepaid debit cards, wire transfers, internet currency, or by mailing cash.
- Insist on secrecy about a legal problem, or tell you to make up stories to tell family, friends, or store employees.
These scammers continue to develop new ways to mislead you. They might use the names of Social Security officials and tell you look them up on our public websites (where they learned the names themselves). Or, they might email you official-looking documents with a letterhead that looks like it’s from Social Security or Social Security’s Office of the Inspector General (OIG). Don’t believe them! Social Security will NEVER email you attachments that have your personal information in them.
If you ever owe money to Social Security, the agency will mail you a letter, explaining your payment options and your appeal rights. If you get a call about a Social Security problem, be very cautious. If you do not have ongoing business with the agency, or if the caller mentions suspending your Social Security number or makes other threats, the call is a scam. Ignore it, hang up, and report it to us. We are working to stop the scams and educate people to avoid becoming victims.
Tonight at 7 p.m. Eastern time, I will be on Facebook Live with Social Security and the Federal Trade Commission to talk about National “Slam the Scam” Day and all that we’re doing to fight Social Security phone scams. Follow Social Security — and the Social Security OIG — on Facebook and Twitter, to stay up-to-date on Social Security scams as well as all of our work to prevent fraud, waste, and abuse in Social Security programs. Visit https://oig.ssa.gov/scam for more information.
Facebook: OIGSSA
Facebook: Social Security
Twitter: @SocialSecurity
Twitter: @TheSSAOIG
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Gail S. Ennis, Inspector General for Social Security
Gail S. Ennis, Inspector General for Social Security
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Norma
Once I received a and called stating that I owed money to Social Security Administration. I called SSA at which time they told me they do not make calls. The office is across the street from my house should I need them.
sandiby s.
My elderly mother received calls everyday on her landline from fake ssa. She told me they say something about her check being compromised or reduced. I told her just to hang up and say nothing. Do not push any buttons or call back the fake number even if it looks like SSA number.
Marcelina H.
I received a call and voice mail from 800-554-0484, I do not answer unknown callers, later I listened to the voice mail and was threatening that my social security and credit information were compromised and to press 1 to resolve the problem. Very dangerous people. Be on alert.
Jacqueline W.
I’ve just start getting social security…4th Wednesday each month. It started with the third check, I get my monthly call…we’ve found your ss check has been compromised you will not get a check from us until you call the number provided. Also, this is criminal offense and Warrent will be issued for your arrest. We will close your bank account. I’m tempted to call and record what is said to me. Just a thought .
Nancy J.
DO NOT CALL THEM! IT CAN ONLY GET WORSE.
IF ENOUGH OF US DON’T CALL THEM, MAYBE THEY’LL STOP.
GET THE WORD OUT! THEIR THREATS ARE LIES!
B
They are now using numbers that look just like mine but the last 4 digits are different
Fay K.
My main rule: Don’t answer the phone unless you know who is calling. Let them leave a message.
I sometimes get voice mail purporting to be returning my call about some “deal” that’s expiring soon.
I also got a voice mail claiming risk of being arrested unless I clear up some Social Security problem. I reported it on SSA’s website.
Email is just as dangerous. Never click on any links in email. All that does is show the spammer that you exist and are ripe for morre spamming
Larry J.
I received a call this morning. They threatened with an arrest warrent if I didn’t call a number they provided immediately. I hung up on them. I did not know where to report it.
Laura J.
It’s about time but not everyone knows what to do about it .. a lot of elderly do not have cell phones or internet .. our family get calls constantly!
And on our cell phones is just too much!
Edward H.
I’ve received numerous calls saying my SSA has been suspended because of suspicious activity. What a bunch of hooey! I commend Social Security, Internal Revenue Service and Vets Administration, to name a few, for reaching out to inform the public of these outrageous scams. Always – Government agencies communicate the truly important issues with us via written letters sent through the U.S. Mail. Do not trust any email or phone call purporting to be from a government agency – unless it’s a subscribed email issued by an agency.
Chester C.
It happen to me yesterday and I believe I reported it to you.