Phish Bowl Alerts
Be on the look out for phone scammers who pretend to be government employees, threatening to suspend your Social Security Number, or demanding immediate payment to avoid arrest or other legal action. Do not be fooled!
The Social Security Administration (SSA) assures the public that it would never take those action, nor require payment by cash, gift card, pre-paid debit card, or wire transfer, or ask for gift card numbers over the phone or to wire or mail cash.
What can you do?
- If you receive a suspicious call, hang up.
- If a text or email, do not respond.
- Never give money or provide personal information.
- If you believe you have received one of these scams, you can report it to the SSA's Office of the Inspector General using their online form.
Resources:
- Protect Yourself from Social Security Scams (SSA)
- Be On the Lookout for Fake Social Security Calls - "Choose Work" Shares a Message from Social Security (SSA)
- What should I do if I get a call claiming there's a problem with my Social Security number or account? (SSA)
- SSA imposters top IRS in consumer loss reports (FTC)
- Social Security Scams (AARP)