"National Warning: Safeguarding Against Sophisticated Scammers and Imposter Fraud"
The Social Security Administration has issued a warning about sophisticated scams targeting beneficiaries, with reported scams increasing by 61.7 percent between Q3 of the financial year in 2022 and the same period in 2023. Scammers use tactics such as pretending to be from the SSA, pressuring individuals to disclose personal information, and demanding immediate payments. The SSA emphasized that it will never suspend a Social Security number, demand immediate payment, threaten with arrest, ask for credit or debit card numbers over the phone, request gift cards or cash, or promise benefit approval in exchange for information or money. Scams related to COVID-19 stimulus checks and economic impact payments have also emerged, with older generations being more lucrative targets for scammers. The SSA urges the public to protect their personal information, remain vigilant, not give money, and report any scam attempts.