On National Slam the Scam Day  3/6  and throughout the year, we give you the tools to recognize Social Security-related scams and stop scammers from stealing your money and personal information.  

Help protect your loved ones and people in your community this Slam the Scam Day by:  

• Learning about the latest scams. Information can empower you to quickly recognize a scam. Signs of a scam include:

  • An unexpected problem or offer of a prize or benefit increase,

  • Pressure to act immediately, and

  • A request for an unusual payment like cryptocurrency, gift cards, gold bars, and wire transfers, even with the promise of keeping your money “safe.”

• Reporting scams as soon as possible. Victims shouldn’t be embarrassed if they shared personal information or suffered a financial loss. We are all vulnerable. 

• Sharing our Scam Alert fact sheet and helping educate others about how to protect themselves. 

• Recognize scammers. They may: Do not give scammers money or personal information – Ignore them! • PRETEND to be from an agency or organization you know. • Say there’s a PROBLEM or promise a prize. • PRESSURE you to act immediately. • Tell you to PAY in a specific way

•   How to avoid a scam: • Remain calm. Talk to someone you trust. • Hang up or ignore the message. DO NOT click on links or attachments. • Protect your money. Criminals will insist that you pay in a hard-to-trace manner, such as with a gift card, prepaid debit card, cryptocurrency, wire transfer, money transfer, or by mailing cash. • Protect your personal information. Be skeptical of a contact you didn’t initiate. • Spread the word. Share your knowledge of Social Security-related scams. Post on social media using the hashtag #SlamtheScam to share your experience and warn others. Visit ssa.gov/scam for more information. Please also share with your friends and family.

Report Social Security-related scams to the Social Security Administration Office of the Inspector General (OIG).