How to spot Social Security scams, protect your identity

When the Social Security Administration calls, you pick up.

But between October 2022 and June 2023, more than 55,000 Americans who answered calls from what they thought was the government agency said they were scammed.

Allegations of Social Security scams increased 61.7% in the quarters ending in June 2022 and June 2023, according to the Social Security Administration Office of the Inspector General.

Imposter scams gain victims’ trust by appropriating federal agencies’ authority, says Stacey Wood, the Molly Mason Jones Chair in Psychology at Scripps College in Claremont, California.

So how do you know if a scammer’s calling? If they tell you any of these four stories, it’s time to hang up.

“Your Social Security number is suspended.”

The tactic: A scammer tells you that your Social Security number is suspended and they need your personal information to reactivate it.

Hang up: The government doesn’t suspend Social Security numbers. Fraudsters are after personal information to steal your identity.

“Your benefits are suspended.”

The tactic: Perpetrators say your Social Security benefits are suspended. They’ll ask for your Social Security number to verify your identity or say you need to pay a fee to have your benefits reinstated.

Hang up: Both scenarios are bogus. The SSA doesn’t call and ask for your Social Security number or charge you to correct your benefits.

“You can pay to increase your benefits.”

The tactic: The caller says they can increase your benefits for a fee.

Hang up: This scam is commonly associated with the SSA’s annual cost-of-living adjustment. Imposters offer to apply the COLA if you pay for the service. The truth? The SSA automatically applies COLA increases to benefits.

“You owe money that has to be paid immediately.”

The tactic: A scammer says you owe money for a penalty or as a correction for an overpayment. They may threaten to suspend your benefits or have you arrested if you don’t pay immediately.

Hang up: Scammers often request payment through wire transfers, cryptocurrency, prepaid debit cards, gift cards or by mailing cash — none of which the Social Security Administration accepts. Scammers like these payment methods because they are practically impossible to trace.

Older adults biggest target

The Administration for Community Living, a division of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, announced in October that reports of scams targeting older adults were multiplying.

Because Social Security is a significant income stream for older adults, they are often more likely to answer calls or respond to letters out of fear of missing something important, Wood says.

Seniors also tend to be more lucrative targets. “They have more assets, so it’s just a better use of scammers’ time to exploit older people,” Wood says.

Red flags

You’re likely being scammed if someone:

• Calls unexpectedly from the SSA. The SSA generally contacts beneficiaries through the mail, so be suspicious of any other contact method.

• Says there’s a problem with your benefits. If there is an issue with your benefits, the SSA will send you a letter explaining how to correct it and whom to contact.

• Pressures you to respond immediately. The SSA gives you time to pay legitimate penalties and won’t threaten to arrest or sue you if you wait to pay a debt.

• Requires you to pay to correct something. The SSA corrects issues with your benefits and applies increases for free.