scams
Slam the Scam: Keep Your Personal Information Safe
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Do you know how to spot a government imposter scam? Knowing how to identify potential scammers will help safeguard your personal information. There are common elements to many of these scams. Scammers often exploit fears and threaten you with arrest or legal action. Scammers also pose as Social Security or other government employees and claim […]
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Social Security and OIG Hold Annual Slam the Scam Day
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Social Security scams are an ongoing government imposter fraud scheme. We continue to raise public awareness about Social Security imposter scams during the fourth annual “Slam the Scam” Day on March 9. For several years, Social Security impersonation scams have been one of the most common government imposter scams reported to the Federal Trade Commission. […]
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How We Protect You from Misleading Advertising and Communications
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At the Office of the Inspector General (OIG), we work together with Social Security to protect you from scams that use Social Security as bait. Section 1140 of the Social Security Act allows OIG to impose penalties against anyone who engages in misleading Social Security-related advertising or imposter communications. For example, we may impose a […]
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10 Ways to Protect Your Personal Information
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Identity theft affects millions of people each year and can cause serious harm. Protect yourself by securing your personal information, understanding the threat of identity theft, and exercising caution. Here are 10 things you can start doing now to protect yourself and your loved ones from identity theft: Protect your Social Security number by […]
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Helping You Avoid Scams this Holiday Season
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Social Security-related scams continue to be widespread, especially during the holidays. Criminals pretending to be from Social Security and other federal government agencies are tricking victims into sending money or sharing personal information. The scam tactics and scripts may vary, but the ultimate goal is to pressure victims to send money using methods such as […]
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Federal Law Enforcement Agencies Warn of Impersonation Scam Involving Credentials and Badges
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New reports show that scammers are reviving an old tactic to gain your trust. Scammers are emailing and texting pictures of real and doctored law enforcement credentials and badges in an attempt to ‘prove’ they are legitimate to scam people out of money. Scammers may change the picture or use a different name, agency, or […]
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Use These Scam Tools to Spot Fraud
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On March 10, we held our annual National Slam the Scam Day to raise awareness of Social Security-related scams and other government imposter scams. In case you missed it, here are our top tools and resources for this year: Check out our Fraud Prevention and Reporting page to learn about Social Security fraud – and […]
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Slam the Scam: How to Spot Government Imposters
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Do you know how to spot a government imposter scam? That’s the question we’re asking as part of our annual Slam the Scam Day on Thursday, March 10, 2022. Scammers continue to evolve and find new ways to steal your money and personal information. On Slam the Scam Day and throughout the year, we raise […]
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National Slam the Scam Day Approaching on March 10
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Chances are someone you know has received a call or message from someone pretending to be a government employee. These calls often allege that your information has been compromised or they demand immediate payment. Ignore it. This is just one of the tips that Social Security’s Office of the Inspector General (SSA OIG) is sharing […]
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Guard Your Card: Protect What’s Important to You
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We encourage you not to carry your Social Security card with you every day. The best way to “Guard Your Card” is to keep it in a safe place and share it only when required, which is rare. In fact, in most cases, just knowing the Social Security number should be enough. In 49 states […]
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