FBI Warns of $15m Social Security Scam

Disclaimer: This post is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal or financial advice. If you believe you have been targeted, contact your bank and local authorities immediately.

3,000 US seniors have lost $15 million to Social Security Administration imposters in the last quarter. It's a staggering figure that's on the rise. What's driving this surge in SSA scams?

How This Scam Works

Scammers typically cold-call victims, claiming to be SSA agents. They spin a convincing tale of suspended benefits due to a fake issue, like a warrant for the victim's arrest, and demand payment to resolve it. Can't we do better to stop these predators?

Who Is Being Targeted

The SSA scam is hitting seniors aged 65 and over the hardest, particularly those living in rural areas. It's not just limited to the US, either - Australian and UK citizens have also been targeted. Who's next?

Red Flags to Watch For

🚩 Unsolicited calls claiming to be from the SSA, demanding payment or personal info 🚩 Threats to suspend benefits or arrest if you don't comply 🚩 Requests for payment via gift cards, bitcoin, or other unusual methods 🚩 Scammers claiming to be from the SSA and asking for sensitive info 🚩 No legitimate SSA agent will contact you via phone or email to ask for payment

What to Do If You've Been Hit

1. Hang up the phone immediately and report the incident to the SSA
2. Don't give out any sensitive info or payment details
3. Contact your bank and credit card company to flag potential fraud
4. File a complaint with the FTC ReportFraud
5. Warn your friends and family about the SSA scam

Where to Report

🇦🇺 Australia: Scamwatch 🇺🇸 USA: FTC ReportFraud 🇬🇧 UK: Action Fraud 🌐 International: Global Scam Reporting Directory Don't become the next victim - check if a message is a scam with our free scam checker