By Hillary Hatch, Social Security Public Affairs Specialist
Social Security imposter scams continue to be widespread across the United States. Scammers use tactics to deceive you into providing sensitive information or money. If you receive a suspicious letter, text, email, or call do not respond.
The Social Security Administration will NEVER:
* Text or email images of an employee’s official government identification.
* Suspend your Social Security number.
* Threaten you with arrest or other legal action unless you immediately pay a fine or fee.
*Require payment by retail gift card, wire transfer, internet currency or cash by mail.
*Promise a benefit increase or other assistance in exchange for payment.
*Mail or email “official” letters or reports containing your personal information.
The Social Security Administration only send text messages in limited situations, including:
*When you have subscribed to receive updates and notifications by text.
* As part of their enhanced security when accessing your personal my Social Security account.
If you owe money to the Social Security Administration, they will mail you a letter with payment options and appeal rights. 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.
The Social Security Administration encourages you to report suspected Social Security imposter scams — and other Social Security fraud — to the OIG’s website at oig.ssa.gov/report.
You can find more information about scams at www.ssa.gov/scam. Please share this information with your friends, family and colleagues to help spread awareness about Social Security imposter scams.
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