The Social Security Administration is warning the public about scammers who impersonate its employees, saying unexpected contacts that pressure people for money or personal information are scams "period."
According to the agency, scammers often pretend to work for SSA or another well-known agency, business or organization, claim there is a problem, pressure victims for immediate payment or personal information, and tell them to pay in a specific way.
SSA said it will never threaten arrest or legal action unless someone immediately pays, demand unusual forms of payment such as gift cards, prepaid debit cards, wire transfers, gold, cryptocurrency, cash or payment apps, tell people to move their money to protect it, or demand secrecy about a call or message. "These are ALL red flags. Do not respond," the agency said.
Common scam messages include claims that a Social Security number has been "suspended," that a fine must be paid immediately, that benefits will stop unless the person acts now, or instructions to "press 1 to speak with a federal agent."
SSA advises people to pause and talk to someone they trust, protect their personal information and money, hang up or ignore the contact without clicking links or opening attachments, and report Social Security scams to the SSA Office of Inspector General. More information is available at SSA.GOV/SCAM.