Scammers often target people receiving disability benefits. Knowing how to protect yourself can save you from losing money and benefits.
In this article, we'll cover:
- Common scams to watch for
- How to protect yourself
- What SSA will and won't do
- Reporting fraud
1. Common Scams to Watch For
Imposter calls:
- Caller claims to be from SSA
- Threatens benefit suspension
- Demands immediate payment
- Asks for personal information
Fake emails/texts:
- Look like SSA communications
- Ask you to click links
- Request login credentials
- Want personal information
Benefit increase promises:
- Someone offers to increase your benefits
- Charges a fee
- Promises guaranteed results
- Often illegal
Representative payee scams:
- Someone offers to manage benefits
- Takes your money
- Doesn't use it for you
- Financial exploitation
COVID/disaster scams:
- Promises of extra payments
- Fake "stimulus" or "emergency" benefits
- Requires payment to receive
- Not legitimate
2. How to Protect Yourself
Guard your information:
- Never give SSN over phone unless you initiated call
- Don't click links in unsolicited emails
- Verify caller identity before sharing
- Protect your my Social Security login
Know red flags:
- Demands for immediate payment
- Threats of arrest or benefit loss
- Requests for gift cards or wire transfers
- Pressure to act immediately
Verify communications:
- Call SSA directly: 1-800-772-1213
- Don't use numbers provided by caller
- Check ssa.gov for official information
- When in doubt, hang up and call back
Protect accounts:
- Use strong passwords
- Enable two-factor authentication
- Monitor your accounts regularly
- Check statements for unauthorized activity
Be skeptical:
- If it sounds too good to be true, it is
- SSA won't promise benefit increases for a fee
- No one can guarantee approval
- Be cautious of unsolicited offers
Important: SSA will never threaten you with arrest, demand immediate payment, or ask for gift cards or wire transfers.
3. What SSA Will and Won't Do
SSA WILL:
- Send letters through mail
- Call if you've requested it
- Have employees with verifiable credentials
- Allow you to verify online or by phone
SSA will NEVER:
- Threaten arrest or legal action
- Demand immediate payment
- Ask for payment by gift card, wire, or cryptocurrency
- Threaten to suspend benefits unless you pay
- Promise benefit increases for a fee
- Send unsolicited texts or emails asking for information
If contacted by "SSA":
- Ask for callback number
- Hang up and call official number
- Don't provide information to caller
- Report suspicious contacts
4. Reporting Fraud
If you suspect a scam:
- Report to SSA Office of Inspector General
- Online: oig.ssa.gov
- Phone: 1-800-269-0271
- File FTC complaint: reportfraud.ftc.gov
If you've been victimized:
- Report to SSA immediately
- File police report
- Contact your bank
- Monitor credit reports
Protecting others:
- Warn family and friends
- Especially elderly relatives
- Share information about scams
- Help others recognize fraud
Identity Theft
Signs of identity theft:
- Benefits you didn't apply for
- SSA notices you didn't expect
- Earnings on your record you didn't earn
- Unfamiliar accounts in your name
If your identity is stolen:
- Contact SSA immediately
- Consider fraud alert or credit freeze
- File identity theft report
- Monitor all accounts
How Purple Helps
Purple takes security seriously:
- Secure account access
- Transaction monitoring
- Clear notifications
- No shady practices
- Straightforward banking