Fraud Watch Friday: That’s Not the Social Security Administration Calling

One of the most popular ways for criminals to steal money and sensitive information is by impersonating a trusted source—often a government agency. According to the Federal Trade Commission, victims of government impostor scams reported over $577 million stolen from them in 2024 – and due to underreporting, that’s likely a vast undercount.

The Social Security Administration (SSA) is a frequently impersonated agency. Here’s what you need to know to help spot and stop a Social Security impostor scam.

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HOW IT WORKS

• You get an unexpected call, text or email from someone claiming to be from SSA who needs you to respond urgently.
• You may learn that your Social Security account has been suspended.
• They could explain that you need to fill out a form to get your annual cost of living increase.
• Or they may warn that your Social Security number has been used to gain access to your bank account and now your assets are at risk of being drained.

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW

• SSA almost never contacts people unexpectedly, so assume a contact from the agency is a fraud attempt.
• SSA will never threaten you or demand immediate action.
• In the event you owe money to the agency, SSA does not require payment with gift cards or cryptocurrency.

WHAT YOU SHOULD DO

• Don’t engage with anyone who unexpectedly contacts you and claims to be from SSA; if you are concerned there is a problem with your account, contact the agency at 800-772-1213 (while hold times can be long, it’s worth the wait).
• You can set up a “My SSA Account” and receive encrypted communications from SSA through it. With this access, you can go online to find out if SSA is trying to reach you. You can also check the status of an application, get a replacement card and more. Get started at ssa.gov/myaccount.
• If you shared your Social Security number and feel it was part of a scam, file a police report for a record, and go to IdentityTheft.gov for specific guidance on protecting against its use in identity fraud.

Remember, if you can spot a scam, you can stop a scam. For more information on how to protect yourself, visit the AARP Fraud Watch Network home page.