The Social Security Administration and its Office of the Inspector General are urging Americans to stay vigilant against fraud as part of National “Slam the Scam” Day, set for Thursday, March 5.
The annual event, held during National Consumer Protection Week, is designed to raise awareness of government imposter scams — including schemes targeting Social Security beneficiaries — and to provide people with tools to recognize and report suspicious activity.
Federal officials say scammers often pose as Social Security employees, law enforcement officers, or other government representatives in attempts to steal money or personal information. Criminals may contact victims by phone, email, text message or social media, sometimes using technology to make it appear as though calls are coming from legitimate government numbers.
As part of the campaign, the agency is encouraging the public to learn common scam tactics and warning signs. Among the red flags: unexpected calls about a problem with Social Security benefits, surprise offers of prizes or benefit increases, and pressure to act immediately. Requests for unusual forms of payment — such as cryptocurrency, gift cards, gold bars, cash or wire transfers — are also considered major warning signs.
Officials stress that government agencies will not demand immediate payment or ask for payment through gift cards or cryptocurrency. They also warn that scammers frequently create a sense of urgency, telling victims they must act quickly to avoid arrest, fines, or benefit suspension.
The Social Security Administration is directing individuals to educational resources at ssa.gov/scam for information on how to spot and avoid fraud. The agency is also encouraging people to report suspicious Social Security-related contacts directly to the Office of the Inspector General at oig.ssa.gov/report. Other types of fraud can be reported to the Federal Trade Commission at reportfraud.ftc.gov.
In addition to learning the warning signs, officials are urging the public to share scam prevention tips with friends and family, particularly older adults who are often targeted by impostors. The campaign encourages social media users to repost consumer protection information and use the hashtag #SlamtheScam to spread awareness.
“Slam the Scam” Day is part of a broader effort by federal agencies to reduce financial losses and identity theft linked to impersonation schemes. According to federal data, government imposter scams remain among the most commonly reported fraud categories nationwide.
Source: Social Security Administration