Today, March 5, the Social Security Administration (SSA) and its Office of the Inspector General (OIG) are teaming up for the 7th annual National Slam the Scam Day. This event, part of the Federal Trade Commission’s National Consumer Protection Week, is all about raising awareness of Social Security impersonation scams – a problem that costs Americans hundreds of millions of dollars every year.
Government imposter scams – in which criminals falsely claim to represent SSA or other federal agencies to steal money or personal information – are among the most prevalent fraud schemes in the country. In 2025, the FTC received more than 330,000 complaints about government impersonation, a 25% jump from the previous year. SSA is one of the most common targets. That’s why SSA is taking action with outreach and investigative efforts to help protect the public.
“All scams – especially imitations of the Social Security Administration – put Americans’ identity and financial security at risk,” said Commissioner Frank J. Bisignano. “National Slam the Scam Day is an important initiative in confronting the fraudsters who viciously target America’s seniors and most vulnerable. I encourage all Americans to remain vigilant, today and every day, as we work to spread awareness about the danger of scams.”
Criminals use sophisticated tactics to target potential victims into disclosing personal and financial information. Be skeptical and recognize the common red flags. Here are the four basic signs of a scam:
Pretend: Scammers claim to be from Social Security in phone calls, texts, emails, websites, or social media messages.Prize or Problem: They say there’s an issue with your Social Security benefits or number.Pressure: They create a sense of urgency, pushing you to act quickly.Payment: They demand money or information, sometimes using fake documents or spoofed caller IDs.
Other tricks include citing fake badge numbers, using fraudulent Social Security letterhead, and creating imposter social media pages.
“Scammers who impersonate the Social Security Administration prey on fear and a false sense of urgency to steal from hardworking Americans, causing real financial harm to individuals and families,” said Michelle L. Anderson, Assistant Inspector General for Audit as First Assistant performing the duties of the Inspector General. “Awareness is one of the strongest tools we have – we encourage consumers to take an intentional pause when they get a message they weren’t expecting, guard their wallet, verify, and report suspected scams – knowing the red flags can prevent devastating financial losses.”
It’s important to know what SSA will and won’t do. SSA will never:
Tell you your Social Security number is suspendedDemand immediate payment or threaten arrestAsk for credit or debit card numbers over the phoneRequest gift cards or cashPromise benefit approval or increases in exchange for information or money
SSA employees do contact people by phone for business reasons, such as after you’ve applied for benefits or requested a call. If there’s a problem with your Social Security number or record, SSA will typically mail a letter.
If you think you’ve been targeted by a scam, report it to the Office of the Inspector General.
Let’s work together to Slam the Scam and keep our communities safe!
