Every March, the U.S. Social Security Administration promotes National Slam the Scam Day to help inform Americans of the continually evolving tactics that scammers use to trick people into giving up money or private information. Scammers are constantly changing their tactics and using new technology, but the basic fraud script remains the same. Scammers try to scare you into thinking you must take immediate action and give them money or the financial information they demand.
National Slam the Scam Day focuses on the government imposter scam, in which scammers pretend claims to be a Social Security Administration official or another government employee. The scammer seeks to obtain personal information or demands payment.
At Kraft & Associates, Attorneys at Law, P.C., we’re committed to helping our disabled clients in the Dallas, TX, area apply for and keep the Social Security Disability benefits they have earned over the course of their careers. Our knowledgeable SSD attorneys can help you determine if you are entitled to benefits, assist you with your application, and provide sound legal advice throughout the claim process.
Below, we share information to help prevent you from falling victim to common Social Security scams or identity theft. We discuss some of the ways crooks may try to get access to your Social Security account or personal information and how to stop them. This is information from the Social Security Administration and the National Council on Aging.
If you need help with an SSD claim, contact our Dallas SSD lawyers today at (214) 999-9999.
Recognizing Social Security Scams
The premise of National “Slam the Scam” Day is that most scammers contact their prospective victims by telephone. If you receive a suspicious call or believe that someone is trying to scam you, you need to remain calm and hang up the phone.
In a call, text, or email message, a scammer may …
- Say they’re from the Social Security Administration, and your benefits will end unless you pay.
- Say they’re from the IRS, and you owe taxes.
- Say you need to give them your Medicare number to get a new card.
But it’s a scam! Government agencies will never call, email, or text you to ask for money or personal information.
If the SSA needs to contact you about your benefits, they will do it in writing through the U.S. Mail – a letter. They will only send text messages if you have consented to receive messages in limited situations, including:
- When you have subscribed to receive updates and notifications by text.
- With a texted verification code as you sign in to your personal My Social Security account.
Red Flags to Watch Out for and Recognize a Scam
There are several tactics that a scammer may use or threaten that a government worker would never do. Protect yourself from scams by knowing how to recognize them. Common SSA scams include:
- Texting or emailing images of an employee’s official government identification.
- Threatening to suspend your Social Security number.
- Threatening legal action or arrest unless you immediately pay a fine or fee.
- Requiring payment by retail gift card, debit card, wire transfer, internet currency, or cash by mail.
- Promising a benefit increase, cost of living adjustment, or other assistance in exchange for payment.
- Mailing or emailing official letters or reports containing your personal information.
How Scammers Target Individuals
Scammers continually refine their approaches and develop increasingly sophisticated scams to stay a step ahead of government agencies and their marks. In an impersonation scam, imposters often use real names and phone numbers of the Social Security Administration or SSA Office of Inspector General (OIG) employees. This is why you can’t always confirm a name or number with Caller ID. Even letters sent out by scammers can appear to be printed on “official” SSA or OIG letterhead.
Here are some common scams:
- You’ve been paid too much in Social Security benefits, and you must pay it back. The scammer may say they are with the Social Security Administration and that, though the mistake was theirs, you must pay the extra money back to continue receiving benefits. They may tell you to make the payment with a gift card or cryptocurrency or by transferring money through an online payment platform such as Zelle, PayPal, or Venmo.
- The SSA requires additional information to continue your benefits. The scammer may say there is information missing from your file that they need so your benefits will not be interrupted. They may say this additional information will lead to an increase in your benefits. But then they’ll ask for something you should never divulge over the phone, such as your bank account information, bank account number, or your Social Security number (SSN).
- Your Social Security number and benefits are about to be suspended. The caller may pretend to be a Social Security employee and tell you that, because of criminal activity on your account, your Social Security number and benefits have been frozen. They’ll ask you to verify your SSN to reinstate your account and benefits. Some will demand payment to reinstate your account and may threaten to have you arrested. They may ask for a gift card, cryptocurrency, or an online payment, which are sure signs of a scam.
Scams change, but they all ask for money or private information and use something to scare you into complying. No federal government employees or Social Security Administration employees will ever threaten your benefit or demand an immediate payment. They’ll never demand specific payment methods, such as gift cards, wire transfers, online payments, or prepaid debit cards. Social Security will never demand immediate payment. If anything is required of you, you will be notified in writing and given time and multiple options to address the issue.
Protect Your Personal Information
The SSA will never ask for your Social Security number or bank account information over the phone or email. Only share this information directly with the SSA or a qualified representative you choose.
Recognizing Misinformation
Common Myths and Misconceptions
- Myth: You need to be near retirement age to qualify for SSD.
- Fact: SSD is for individuals of all ages whose disability prevents them from working full-time.
- Myth: Having a severe disability automatically guarantees benefits.
- Fact: The SSA considers the severity of your condition, your residual functional capacity (RFC), which is your ability to perform specific work tasks and your work history.
- Myth: Working while receiving SSD benefits will disqualify you.
- Fact: The SSA offers work incentive programs that allow beneficiaries to test their ability to work without losing benefits entirely.
- Myth: My doctor’s recommendation for SSD automatically gets me approved.
- Fact: A doctor’s note is helpful, but the SSA makes decisions based on their own medical evaluation and your complete application package.
- Myth: Past substance abuse automatically disqualifies you from SSD.
- Fact: The SSA considers if your substance abuse directly contributes to your disability and limits your ability to work.
Reliable Sources of Information
Find more information about scams at the SSA’s Protect Yourself from Scams webpage.
The Federal Trade Commission’s “What To Do if You Were Scammed” article explains what to do if you have given money, personal information, or access to your computer or phone to someone you think is a scammer.
Seeking Help From Within the System
The SSA offers free resources to help you navigate the application process. You can call their national hotline at 1-800-772-1213 or visit your local SSA office. Additionally, legal aid organizations can offer free or low-cost representation for your disability claim.
Get Legal Help From Our Experienced Attorneys Near You
At Kraft & Associates, Attorneys at Law, P.C., our experienced Dallas Social Security disability lawyers can help you with a claim for Social Security Disability benefits from your initial application and throughout the life of your claim. We handle claims on a contingency fee basis, meaning you won’t pay unless we recover money for you.
Call us today at (214) 999-9999 or fill out our online form for a free case review!
