Beware of scammers pretending to be with the Social Security Administration (SSA) or the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), Office for Victims of Crime (OVC).
Stay skeptical and think scam anytime you get an unexpected or unsolicited call, message, or letter.
The SSA Office of the Inspector General (OIG) and OVC are advising the public to watch out for government imposter scams. Neither SSA nor OVC will demand money from you or threaten you with legal or criminal action if you do not pay. Government officials and law enforcement agents will never pick up money at your door or in any type of exchange. For example, scammers may represent themselves as SSA OIG agents and request that you meet them in person to hand off cash.
“Scammers continue to exploit fear and confusion by impersonating trusted government agencies like SSA and OVC,” said Michelle L. Anderson, Acting Inspector General for SSA. “We urge citizens to be vigilant, and to always question unexpected calls, texts, emails, or letters, and report suspected scams immediately.”
Key warning signs of a scam
- Unexpected communication by phone call, text or social media message, email, or letter in the mail warning of a problem or offering a prize.
- Pressure in the form of threats, demands, or limited time offers.
- Payment requests of cash, gift cards, gold bars, prepaid debit cards, wire or money transfer, and cryptocurrency.
How to protect yourself
- Stop. Think scam. Talk to someone you trust before paying.
- Visit ssa.gov/scam to report Social Security-related scams and learn more.
- Stay up to date on the latest scam warnings and tactics by following SSA OIG on X, Facebook, and Linkedin.
- Visit the Federal Trade Commission for consumer protection tips.
Northwest Florida Agency on Aging
SHINE – Serving Health Insurance Needs of Elders
850-494-7101
FloridaShine.org
