Social Security and OIG Partner for National Slam the Scam Day
Reading Time: 3 MinutesLast Updated: April 18, 2025
The Social Security Administration (SSA) and its Office of the Inspector General (OIG) join forces once again to raise public awareness about Social Security imposter scams during the sixth annual “Slam the Scam” Day on March 6. Social Security related scams–where fraudsters mislead victims into sharing personal information, or making cash, wire transfer, or gift card payments to fix alleged Social Security number problems –are an ongoing government imposter fraud scheme.
Social Security impersonation scams impact all age groups and remain one of the most common government imposter scams reported to the Federal Trade Commission.
Social Security continues to make concerted efforts to address this issue, through extensive outreach and investigative initiatives.
“I strongly urge our citizens to be vigilant and protect themselves from criminal threats,” said Lee Dudek, Acting Commissioner of Social Security. “Scammers use fear and pressure to steal money or personal information and I implore Americans to hang up, ignore the messages, and report any scam attempts to oig.ssa.gov.”
Social Security will never tell you that your Social Security number is suspended; contact you to demand an immediate payment; threaten you with arrest; ask for your credit or debit card numbers over the phone; request gift cards, wire transfer, gold, cash, cryptocurrency; or promise a Social Security benefit approval or increase in exchange for information or money.
Criminals use sophisticated tactics to trick potential victims into disclosing personal and financial information. Be skeptical and on the lookout for these red flags: Typically, they use these P’s – Pretend, Prize or Problem, Pressure, and Payment. For example, scammers pretend they are from Social Security in phone calls, texts, emails, websites, or direct messages on social media, and claim there is a problem with the person’s Social Security benefits or Social Security number. The scammer’s caller ID may be spoofed to look like a legitimate government number. Scammers may also send fake documents to pressure people into complying with demands for information or money. Other common tactics include citing “badge numbers,” using fraudulent Social Security letterhead, and creating imposter social media pages to target individuals for payment or personal information.
“Slam the Scam is one of our most effective anti-fraud measures and we are excited to spearhead the 6th National Slam the Scam Day. This campaign is just as significant as our first one because the losses are still too high and the number of consumers being scammed is still very concerning,” said Assistant Inspector General for Audit performing the duties of the Inspector General, Michelle L. Anderson.
Social Security employees do contact the public by telephone for business purposes. Ordinarily, the agency calls people who have recently applied for a Social Security benefit, are already receiving payments and require an update to their record, or have requested a phone call from the agency. If there is a problem with a person’s Social Security number or record, Social Security will typically mail a letter.
Beware of new scams related to the Social Security Fairness Act. For information, please visit Social Security Announces Expedited Retroactive Payments and Higher Monthly Benefits for Millions and Social Security Fairness Act: Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and Government Pension Offset (GPO) update.
To report a scam attempt, go to oig.ssa.gov. For more information, please visit www.ssa.gov/scam and www.ssa.gov/fraud.
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Ernest P.
Why does Social Security persist in sending unsolicited informational emails that include sign-in links, buttons and logo’s that could be scammers impersonating Social Security?
The most recent email I received wants me to sign-in to verify my Login.gov information when I did that long ago when I created the account. Of course I didn’t click any of the links or allow the images to load. The email is from information@notify.ssa.gov
All internet security information and even Social Security tell users to not click links or buttons in emails because the email could be a scam or “phishing” email.
Reporting these emails to OIG and SSA does not make a difference and SSA continues to send these emails with sign-in links and buttons.
Clicking unsubscribe in the email takes me to a page that asks if I want to unsubscribe AND delete my account so that’s not an option.
Another option I might consider is creating an email filter for each email address to send all these emails to Trash so I don’t have to deal with this incompetency.
Jeff R.
New phone systems in most public office are to a large extent, broken. This IA an issue between the agency and their communications contrators.the public suffers, unable to navigate most transactions, while the agencies ignore complaints. AI technology not at fault as other systems have been developed that work perfectly. Common faults include system crashes, failure to process transactions, day long waits on phone quews and announcements to call back tomorrow due to high volume of calls.
The agency fails to admitt their system broken, and teething problems become major problems for customers.No one is working on fixes.
Mike
“…I’ve read that all SS beneficiaries will have to re-verify their identity starting in April to continue receiving their benefits. Any truth to this?
Or does it only apply to new applicants?..”