Frauds & Scams

Social Security’s Top 5 Scam Awareness Articles

March 15, 2024 • By

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Last Updated: March 15, 2024

vector of person hanging up on a scam call on their cell phoneDid you join us for Slam the Scam Day earlier this month?  If so, you know how important it is to raise awareness about scams. That’s why we want you to have all the information you need to protect yourself. Check out our top 5 scam awareness articles below:

  1. We work with our Office of the Inspector General (OIG) to protect you from scams that use Social Security as bait. In How We Protect You from Misleading Advertising and Communications, we detail what to do if you receive a suspicious advertisement or imposter communication.
  2. Identity theft affects millions of people each year and causes serious harm. Here are 10 ways to protect yourself by securing your personal information.
  3. People living with dementia have a higher risk of becoming victims of fraud. In this post, you can learn how to minimize this risk for your loved ones.
  4. Fraudsters also target veterans, active duty service members, and their families. Check out this post to learn what to look for and how to help the veterans and military members in your life.
  5. Quick Response (QR) codes are very popular these days. A QR code is a scannable barcode that directs you to a website or social media account. Did you know scammers place fake QR codes on top of official ones? It’s among the latest trends we list in this post to combat scams.

We encourage you to review these articles and bookmark them for future use. Please share this information with friends and family to help us spread the word about scams.

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About the Author

BJ Jarrett, Acting Deputy Associate Commissioner

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Comments

  1. Lisa W.

    I don’t feel it’s far to have over 300$ deducted from my SS retirement because I worked under SS then Civil Service where I paid directly into retirement. Many members in Congress are trying to pass the WEP to stop this act. Why are you taking my SS that I earned? No fair!

    • S.D.

      Hi, Lisa.  Thanks for reading our blog and for your question. Because you receive a pension for work not covered by Social Security, two laws may affect your Social Security benefits. Your own retirement benefit may be reduced based on the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP). Your spouse’s benefit may be reduced by the Government Pension Offset (GPO).  To submit your feedback about these laws, visit our How can we help? webpage. From there, select the “Email Us” link. This will take you to the “Email Our Support Team” form where you can submit a suggestion, compliment, or complaint. We hope this helps.

  2. Bruce

    Who should ask our SSN in dealing with service provider?
    It has become so easy to ask for our social security number!

  3. Monroe S.

    Bonjour

    Received documents from a facility Fargo healthcare center ( temporary residence) stating I receive $ 1927.00 monthly Social security income, that they perceive I owe Fargo, from my knowledge is incorrect excessively.
    Request a copy of benefits receiving by mailing address 540 North Dearborn unit 10814 Chicago IL 60610 and by email lefrancepinnk@gmail.com to validate income Received.

    • S.D.

      We’re sorry to hear about your situation, Monroe. For your security, we do not have access to private information in this venue. You can print your benefit verification letter by using your personal my Social Security account. For more information, check out our Frequently Asked Questions. If you still need help, you can call us at 1-800-772-1213, 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, or contact your local Social Security office. We hope this helps.

      • Cynthia A.

        Yesterday I needed to call social security and I couldn’t get into the online part. I sent the documents they needed and then I waited 30 minutes to get in and still nothing happened . All I wanted to do is apply for part B because I have A for if I am out of town. I am a disabled veteran and can’t get around like I Use to

        • S.D.

          We’re sorry to hear about your experience, Cynthia. If you used our new Upload Documents application to submit your Medicare Part B enrollment form, you should have received onscreen confirmation. If the upload wasn’t successful and you are in a Special Enrollment Period, you can apply online for Part B. If you need to speak with the representative who emailed you the form request, you can contact your local Social Security office. To learn more about Medicare, check out our two-part blog series, Medicare for You: What You Need to Know.

  4. Becky

    I keep seeing an ad for special additional check on my laptop, what is this

    • Mary N.

      I get it also.ads on utube are saying we are getting one also

  5. Beth M.

    Hello social security administration, Congress and the Courts, y’all AGREED to remove and clear the 2020 Overpayment Payment Center Cases. What’s taking so Long? Please start removing the NON RECIPIENTS first please, thank you

  6. activevibz

    Acting Deputy Associate Commissioner BJ Barrett, please start removing and CLEARING the 2020 OVERPAYMENTS PAYMENT CENTER Cases out of the system ASAP please, especially for the NON RECIPIENTS

  7. Trisha C.

    The SSA payment center cases for the erroneous alleged 2020 OVERPAYMENTS STILL need to be REMOVED AND CLEARED FROM WITHIN the SYSTEM/payment center. When is the SSA REMOVING AND CLEARING THE 2020 Overpayment Payment Center Cases? Needs to be done ASAP

  8. Amanda B.

    Social Security Administration, the Courts and Congress have AGREED to dismiss and clear the 2020 SSA Overpayments. Please start removing and CLEARING those erroneous alleged Overpayments ASAP.

  9. Rebecca T.

    Acting Deputy Associate Commissioner BJ Barrett, please start removing and CLEARING the 2020 OVERPAYMENTS PAYMENT CENTER Cases out of the system ASAP please, especially for the NON RECIPIENTS, due to it’s affecting our employment eligibility due to having us still enlisted with that technicality.

  10. Lloyd B.

    I got scammed last week by a person claiming to represent Paypal who said, “Did you authorize a payment through Paypal for $997?” I said no and he launched into a spiel about needing to review my laptop or desktop for things that the scammer might have placed on our computer. Of course, he them placed “Anydesk.com” on my computer and took it over. Fortunately, he did not get money transferred out of our accounts to his bitcoin program, “coinbase.com”. Watch out! They are slick and quick. We didn’t lose a penny.

    • Ana

      No

    • Ginger W.

      To all watch the movie the Beekeeper if you haven’t already. The movie centered around targeting elderly especially through your computers.
      Stating you have a virus and they need to get in your computer to correct it.
      Please watch it today, I saw it on You Tube, starring Jason Stratham.
      You’ll be happy you did!

Comments are closed.